As another who has lost a child and is dealing with cancer, the incredibly colorful autumn in the Northeast tells the story of a beauty bigger than we are and carries hope. Sunlight through the window bouncing off the wall onto the floor, connecting with my dog's eyes, birds on a holly bush, the full moon's orb and hearing music keep me in a moment with my son. Wherever he is.
Suleika-the health care system continually adds to the challenge of attempting to heal with dignity and less frustration. For you, I wish it wasn't so.
Nov 6, 2022·edited Nov 7, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad
I live my life in small gestures and love this post. Sometimes the weariness is so great or the loss so deep that I’m only left with my innermost creative thoughts! I’m a maker but I’m so lucky that my brain is like a jewel box and can always conjure up a rainbow. I might not have the energy to pick up my hand but I always have my beautiful thoughts! 🌈
For me the most valuable idea in this beautiful piece is that we can be small! Small gestures, small efforts, small concepts. I’m so tired of striving, and this “permission” to do less is so hopeful to me. Thank you!
I love the idea of “little gifts of the soul” and impermanent art. I have never thought of myself as artistic but then realized that I show my love by making food for loved ones. Beautiful desserts, breads, tortillas... my own impermanent art. What a wonderful post. Thank you.
Our small gestures of the soul to search, find and express beauty bring comfort to our innermost being in ways that nothing else can. One early morning I ran outside to capture the sunrise that was about to happen. I’m glad I did.
This is the first time I have posted anything here, although I have been following the Isolation Journals for a few months. I am always moved beyond words by this amazing group. This prompt really struck me. "Little Gestures of the Soul". I am also another who has lost a child and then dealt with bilateral breast cancer. Some of my biggest moments of healing have come from small, unexpected moments when I see the light coming through a lace curtain and take a picture. Or this morning the sun rising and glittering on the newly fallen snow in the mountains in the distance. I was able to catch it in a photo before it disappeared. I like to think that my son is letting me know he is okay and connecting with me from a place of peace and light. Sometimes I "try" to paint the photo. Or have it developed on Canvas.
Thank you Suleika for starting this amazing group. You are in my thoughts often. And Behida, thank you for this special prompt. I am so sorry for your heartbreaking loss.
"These were my ways of tethering all of the little pieces of my soul left behind; of remembering what it felt like to love and be loved, to be safe. These impermanent pieces of art reminded me of times when I was not lonely. They whispered in my ear, “Everything will be alright. You too will persevere.”
LIFE IS ART. Trees passing through the season, red snapper and rice for breakfast, inevitable tragedies somewhere on earth, James Webb spectacular, the mosquito that just bit my wrist. This prompt is right on time when we consciously decide to live in the moment. Never be distracted, do your job, your best life gestures are still in the wind........................
Nov 6, 2022·edited Nov 6, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad
Deeply moving and inspiring!! Thank you so much!! I love the dandelions in the glass container…childhood wonder and innocence is what spurs in me. Much love to all 💕💕
Nov 6, 2022·edited Nov 6, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad
Suleika, your cryptic "health insurance issues" by-the-way lands with a thud. Pharmaceutical companies charge cancer patients thousands of dollars each month for treatment. Executives say that these prices are necessary to recoup pharmaceutical development costs. Weigh that explanation against the CEOs' mega salaries. Health insurance companies have to cover those costs and their own CEOs' mega salaries. Doctors and nurses advertise how much they care about their patients -- as long as they can pay for that care. Lickety-split: 1) Open a Go Fund Me. 2) Write an op-ed for The New York Times, detailing why your insurance company's heartless paper pusher denied your continuance of the medical treatment that has been keeping you alive.
So very stunning, Dearest Suleika and Behida! As I linger in the utter beauty of "little gifts of the soul", or is it "little gifts for the soul", I sent an email to one of my dearest friends, asking her to stop at Behida's shop the next time she is in Hudson! The thought of her doing that warmed my heart so.
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” John Keats. Let wild beauty reach your soul with joy!
“She who binds to herself a joy/Does the winged life destroy/She who kisses the joy as it flies/Lives in eternity’s sunrise.” William Blake. Yes, be fully present, let it be, I-Thou surrender.
Behida, I am so sorry for your unthinkable loss.
As another who has lost a child and is dealing with cancer, the incredibly colorful autumn in the Northeast tells the story of a beauty bigger than we are and carries hope. Sunlight through the window bouncing off the wall onto the floor, connecting with my dog's eyes, birds on a holly bush, the full moon's orb and hearing music keep me in a moment with my son. Wherever he is.
Suleika-the health care system continually adds to the challenge of attempting to heal with dignity and less frustration. For you, I wish it wasn't so.
I live my life in small gestures and love this post. Sometimes the weariness is so great or the loss so deep that I’m only left with my innermost creative thoughts! I’m a maker but I’m so lucky that my brain is like a jewel box and can always conjure up a rainbow. I might not have the energy to pick up my hand but I always have my beautiful thoughts! 🌈
For me the most valuable idea in this beautiful piece is that we can be small! Small gestures, small efforts, small concepts. I’m so tired of striving, and this “permission” to do less is so hopeful to me. Thank you!
I love the idea of “little gifts of the soul” and impermanent art. I have never thought of myself as artistic but then realized that I show my love by making food for loved ones. Beautiful desserts, breads, tortillas... my own impermanent art. What a wonderful post. Thank you.
Our small gestures of the soul to search, find and express beauty bring comfort to our innermost being in ways that nothing else can. One early morning I ran outside to capture the sunrise that was about to happen. I’m glad I did.
This is the first time I have posted anything here, although I have been following the Isolation Journals for a few months. I am always moved beyond words by this amazing group. This prompt really struck me. "Little Gestures of the Soul". I am also another who has lost a child and then dealt with bilateral breast cancer. Some of my biggest moments of healing have come from small, unexpected moments when I see the light coming through a lace curtain and take a picture. Or this morning the sun rising and glittering on the newly fallen snow in the mountains in the distance. I was able to catch it in a photo before it disappeared. I like to think that my son is letting me know he is okay and connecting with me from a place of peace and light. Sometimes I "try" to paint the photo. Or have it developed on Canvas.
Thank you Suleika for starting this amazing group. You are in my thoughts often. And Behida, thank you for this special prompt. I am so sorry for your heartbreaking loss.
"These were my ways of tethering all of the little pieces of my soul left behind; of remembering what it felt like to love and be loved, to be safe. These impermanent pieces of art reminded me of times when I was not lonely. They whispered in my ear, “Everything will be alright. You too will persevere.”
LIFE IS ART. Trees passing through the season, red snapper and rice for breakfast, inevitable tragedies somewhere on earth, James Webb spectacular, the mosquito that just bit my wrist. This prompt is right on time when we consciously decide to live in the moment. Never be distracted, do your job, your best life gestures are still in the wind........................
Deeply moving and inspiring!! Thank you so much!! I love the dandelions in the glass container…childhood wonder and innocence is what spurs in me. Much love to all 💕💕
Such a beautiful way to start my day. Pondering these delicate, yet robust gestures for my soul...with so much gratitude. Thank you. 🙏💕✨
Suleika, your cryptic "health insurance issues" by-the-way lands with a thud. Pharmaceutical companies charge cancer patients thousands of dollars each month for treatment. Executives say that these prices are necessary to recoup pharmaceutical development costs. Weigh that explanation against the CEOs' mega salaries. Health insurance companies have to cover those costs and their own CEOs' mega salaries. Doctors and nurses advertise how much they care about their patients -- as long as they can pay for that care. Lickety-split: 1) Open a Go Fund Me. 2) Write an op-ed for The New York Times, detailing why your insurance company's heartless paper pusher denied your continuance of the medical treatment that has been keeping you alive.
So very stunning, Dearest Suleika and Behida! As I linger in the utter beauty of "little gifts of the soul", or is it "little gifts for the soul", I sent an email to one of my dearest friends, asking her to stop at Behida's shop the next time she is in Hudson! The thought of her doing that warmed my heart so.
With much love and gratitude
Janet
Beautiful as always. Love this idea of little gestures for the soul. Thanks you both for sharing ❤️
I love this and will focus this week on “little gestures of the soul.”
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” John Keats. Let wild beauty reach your soul with joy!
“She who binds to herself a joy/Does the winged life destroy/She who kisses the joy as it flies/Lives in eternity’s sunrise.” William Blake. Yes, be fully present, let it be, I-Thou surrender.
Much love and light for your souls. May grace fill your days... and mine.