“Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that healing very rarely looks the way you think it will.” And so, faith is what we do not see yet hope for... And that hope enables us to see beyond our present circumstances and gives us the freedom to surrender. May it be so - Suleika❤️.
I am delighting in the prospect of doodling my experiences rather than drawing - of including all the people and places of the time I lived in Miami many years ago - the sights and smells - the water and fashion - my jeep, my cat, my twenties. Yes, it’s time to doodle. Out of bed, I go. Thank you, Paul. Thank you for reminding me to doodle - I needed this today!
Dearest Suleika: thank you and Paul for this deliciously gorgeous prompt. Just two thoughts for the moment: You are so very, very, very beautiful, Dearest Suleika!!!!! The photograph of you and River: so stunningly beautiful, so filled with life, love and, of course, so many other emotions that i cannot even begin to imagine.
Dearest Suleika, when you say you are "not writing"... I so deeply appreciate what you are saying. I also, however, want to say that in your weekly pieces to our beloved community: You Are Writing! and with such an incredible wisdom, presence, compassion, brilliance!!!!!! Truly, you are a treasure!
Thank you for sharing yourself so beautifully, once again. Sending you baths of love to loll in as you see fit. It is in every way, renewable energy. Much love. Todays prompt is calling. Thank you Mr. Bromberg.
Just yesterday I found myself doodling in the margins of a rather intimidating “to do” list. I tend to doodle flowers -over and over - again. It has been years since I have done this. Yet, the pen to paper action felt familiar and comforting. Paul’s doodle art photo is a master piece. Intimating. Intriguing. Inspiring.
Thank you dearest Suleika for introducing Paul to us. And, for reminding us that healing takes time and is transformationally complex - unique to each of us in its form and delivery. Sending you wrap around hugs filled with gentle healing and grace. ❤️💐❤️
Hebrews: 11: 1 Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the Evidence of things not seen. May we all have an abundance of faith today that all things will work together for good. Thank you Suleika and Paul for the words to go on no matter what is going on in our lives. I have never doodled but i'm excited to try.
To Suleika, Paul and all the brave ones that were given an illness they never expected or requested. It usually takes you by surprise and knocks you to your knees. Yes, I have a story of a severe mental illness that took me 7 years to overcome but by moving through it I can see, feel, hear wisdom from myself and people like you both in this community who don’t take life for granted and make each day count, whether being very sick and having to deal with it or lying or sitting and doodling, painting or writing, or dancing with your medication “pole”, or just sitting on a stoop (do people still do that) watching people walk by and sometimes stopping to speak. Because of this unbelievable courage that is demanded it reminds me of this artwork I just purchased from The Tiny Pricks Project. “ when your path demands you walk thru hell, walk like you own the place.!”
Dear Suleika, I pray that you start to see and feel the true healing that is taking place in your body everyday. You continue to battle through so much, yet find the time to inspire so many through their struggles. You’re a gift. My doctors told me I must establish a new baseline for me. That the me before cancer will never completely return. I continue to mourn the loss of the original me as I learn to adjust to and accept my new baseline. Energy, independence, not feeling nauseous, not feeling anxious are things I dream are in my future. I wish these for you too, that day will come. Thank you for this incredible, timely prompt. It will be my goal for this week. Sending love and comfort your way. 💜 Debra
Dear Suleika. I am grieving my beloved husband Fadi. Grieving, healing ❤️🩹 two different words … I spend my days looking for a thread of light … my time capsule has slowed down… you are one of my thread … thank you so much … I feel your surrender… holy … love ❤️ Nathalie
I always doodle and I am so glad that doodling is getting it’s “do.”
On a tangent I wonder if anyone in this community has read Ken Wilbur’s book from 1991 about his love-his wife, Treya, who died from breast cancer. I read it back in the late 90’s and it still stays with me about the importance of love and connection when we are dealing with our health and of course when we are well. My latest lime to self and others is, “remember to appreciate me now, and I remember to appreciate you now. I do not take anything for granted.”
Healing is invisible to the human eye. Art and music and literature and the energy of healing to me. Born in contemplation. In that fallow time as you say, Sulieka. When the soil rejuvenates.
I love everything in this entry...Suleika's honesty and trust in the healing process...and Paul's use of art to process the difficult journey of illness. Thank you for this. 💜
Thank you for naming it! That in the midst of a difficult healing/transition, it's hard to imagine what might be possible on the other side. I'm in just that spot right now as I release my disabled son's care into other people's hands, something he & I and all of us long to have happen, but it is emotionally so difficult, especially for the 2 of us. 3 months in, not ready for the doodle yet, but Paul's is gorgeous.
I think about times like this as reflections of the seasons... winter, when everything goes still, slow, underground, bare, waiting for the warmth of spring to sprout & blossom.
Sending love and prayers to you, Suleika. When I stayed with my brother post-transplant, he felt like he was never going to feel better. And then one day he did. Yesterday he messaged to let me know he has felt the best he’s felt in a long time. Praying for you to get there, too, and for strength, patience, and inspiration in the waiting.
I love this prompt--such a piece of art from Paul! My brother isn’t a writer, but as a child, he enjoyed drawing. I didn’t even know he had a sketchbook in the hospital with him until one day he said he had drawn a picture for me (his donor). It was a large tree dropping life down onto a little tree. It was amateurish, but the most beautiful piece of art in the world to me.
I am going to share with him this prompt and try it myself as we wait for the results of his +90 day biopsy. Thanks for this idea!
I am not a writer. I joined the Isolation Journals because I thought it might get me to write something each day, or almost each day that is creative, thoughtful and reflective. You know what? I am doing this more than I ever have in my 70 years on the planet. A little bit here, little bit there. A half a poem, a bunch of random ideas strung together , even a little doodle once in a while. I have been trying to use this journal using the guidance and inspiration at the front of it from Suleika and and your mom.
All this is to say that when I hear Suleika say "I'm not writing" in a most eloquent, thoughtful, spiritual and inspiring way, I am thinking: "What do you mean you're not writing? " I call this writing of a beautiful, deep kind. It comes from your body, your mind and your soul. It reaches out to me and gets me up and gets me going. Just like Paul's prompt it encourages and guides me ( and others I suspect) to use our experience ,strength an hope to reflect and create from a meaningful experience in our lives.
Well guess what? This is a meaningful experience in my life!! This healing reflection and the doodling prompt are a call to myself to dig in and create. Right here, right now. SO I will!
Thank you Suleika and Paul for this gift. And please Suleika, don't think you are not writing! For me you most certainly are. ❤️🙏🏼
"Trust that you're changing, you're healing" -- this brought tears to my eyes, Suleika. You keep it real. Sending love too. ❤️
“Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that healing very rarely looks the way you think it will.” And so, faith is what we do not see yet hope for... And that hope enables us to see beyond our present circumstances and gives us the freedom to surrender. May it be so - Suleika❤️.
I am delighting in the prospect of doodling my experiences rather than drawing - of including all the people and places of the time I lived in Miami many years ago - the sights and smells - the water and fashion - my jeep, my cat, my twenties. Yes, it’s time to doodle. Out of bed, I go. Thank you, Paul. Thank you for reminding me to doodle - I needed this today!
In the northern hemisphere, the growing darkness is the season of rest and incubation. Suleika, your body knows.
Dearest Suleika: thank you and Paul for this deliciously gorgeous prompt. Just two thoughts for the moment: You are so very, very, very beautiful, Dearest Suleika!!!!! The photograph of you and River: so stunningly beautiful, so filled with life, love and, of course, so many other emotions that i cannot even begin to imagine.
Dearest Suleika, when you say you are "not writing"... I so deeply appreciate what you are saying. I also, however, want to say that in your weekly pieces to our beloved community: You Are Writing! and with such an incredible wisdom, presence, compassion, brilliance!!!!!! Truly, you are a treasure!
With much love
janet
Thank you for sharing yourself so beautifully, once again. Sending you baths of love to loll in as you see fit. It is in every way, renewable energy. Much love. Todays prompt is calling. Thank you Mr. Bromberg.
Just yesterday I found myself doodling in the margins of a rather intimidating “to do” list. I tend to doodle flowers -over and over - again. It has been years since I have done this. Yet, the pen to paper action felt familiar and comforting. Paul’s doodle art photo is a master piece. Intimating. Intriguing. Inspiring.
Thank you dearest Suleika for introducing Paul to us. And, for reminding us that healing takes time and is transformationally complex - unique to each of us in its form and delivery. Sending you wrap around hugs filled with gentle healing and grace. ❤️💐❤️
Hebrews: 11: 1 Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the Evidence of things not seen. May we all have an abundance of faith today that all things will work together for good. Thank you Suleika and Paul for the words to go on no matter what is going on in our lives. I have never doodled but i'm excited to try.
To Suleika, Paul and all the brave ones that were given an illness they never expected or requested. It usually takes you by surprise and knocks you to your knees. Yes, I have a story of a severe mental illness that took me 7 years to overcome but by moving through it I can see, feel, hear wisdom from myself and people like you both in this community who don’t take life for granted and make each day count, whether being very sick and having to deal with it or lying or sitting and doodling, painting or writing, or dancing with your medication “pole”, or just sitting on a stoop (do people still do that) watching people walk by and sometimes stopping to speak. Because of this unbelievable courage that is demanded it reminds me of this artwork I just purchased from The Tiny Pricks Project. “ when your path demands you walk thru hell, walk like you own the place.!”
Love and blessings to this amazing community!
Dear Suleika, I pray that you start to see and feel the true healing that is taking place in your body everyday. You continue to battle through so much, yet find the time to inspire so many through their struggles. You’re a gift. My doctors told me I must establish a new baseline for me. That the me before cancer will never completely return. I continue to mourn the loss of the original me as I learn to adjust to and accept my new baseline. Energy, independence, not feeling nauseous, not feeling anxious are things I dream are in my future. I wish these for you too, that day will come. Thank you for this incredible, timely prompt. It will be my goal for this week. Sending love and comfort your way. 💜 Debra
Dear Suleika. I am grieving my beloved husband Fadi. Grieving, healing ❤️🩹 two different words … I spend my days looking for a thread of light … my time capsule has slowed down… you are one of my thread … thank you so much … I feel your surrender… holy … love ❤️ Nathalie
I always doodle and I am so glad that doodling is getting it’s “do.”
On a tangent I wonder if anyone in this community has read Ken Wilbur’s book from 1991 about his love-his wife, Treya, who died from breast cancer. I read it back in the late 90’s and it still stays with me about the importance of love and connection when we are dealing with our health and of course when we are well. My latest lime to self and others is, “remember to appreciate me now, and I remember to appreciate you now. I do not take anything for granted.”
Healing is invisible to the human eye. Art and music and literature and the energy of healing to me. Born in contemplation. In that fallow time as you say, Sulieka. When the soil rejuvenates.
I love everything in this entry...Suleika's honesty and trust in the healing process...and Paul's use of art to process the difficult journey of illness. Thank you for this. 💜
Thank you for naming it! That in the midst of a difficult healing/transition, it's hard to imagine what might be possible on the other side. I'm in just that spot right now as I release my disabled son's care into other people's hands, something he & I and all of us long to have happen, but it is emotionally so difficult, especially for the 2 of us. 3 months in, not ready for the doodle yet, but Paul's is gorgeous.
Sending love back.
I think about times like this as reflections of the seasons... winter, when everything goes still, slow, underground, bare, waiting for the warmth of spring to sprout & blossom.
Sending love and prayers to you, Suleika. When I stayed with my brother post-transplant, he felt like he was never going to feel better. And then one day he did. Yesterday he messaged to let me know he has felt the best he’s felt in a long time. Praying for you to get there, too, and for strength, patience, and inspiration in the waiting.
I love this prompt--such a piece of art from Paul! My brother isn’t a writer, but as a child, he enjoyed drawing. I didn’t even know he had a sketchbook in the hospital with him until one day he said he had drawn a picture for me (his donor). It was a large tree dropping life down onto a little tree. It was amateurish, but the most beautiful piece of art in the world to me.
I am going to share with him this prompt and try it myself as we wait for the results of his +90 day biopsy. Thanks for this idea!
I am not a writer. I joined the Isolation Journals because I thought it might get me to write something each day, or almost each day that is creative, thoughtful and reflective. You know what? I am doing this more than I ever have in my 70 years on the planet. A little bit here, little bit there. A half a poem, a bunch of random ideas strung together , even a little doodle once in a while. I have been trying to use this journal using the guidance and inspiration at the front of it from Suleika and and your mom.
All this is to say that when I hear Suleika say "I'm not writing" in a most eloquent, thoughtful, spiritual and inspiring way, I am thinking: "What do you mean you're not writing? " I call this writing of a beautiful, deep kind. It comes from your body, your mind and your soul. It reaches out to me and gets me up and gets me going. Just like Paul's prompt it encourages and guides me ( and others I suspect) to use our experience ,strength an hope to reflect and create from a meaningful experience in our lives.
Well guess what? This is a meaningful experience in my life!! This healing reflection and the doodling prompt are a call to myself to dig in and create. Right here, right now. SO I will!
Thank you Suleika and Paul for this gift. And please Suleika, don't think you are not writing! For me you most certainly are. ❤️🙏🏼