I came upon this quote that I resonated with that gives me the courage to help me have new male and female friends, because most of my dear friend have died. The quote is : “A loving heart is a magical magnet for magnificence”. Sherri Rosen
"Beginner..." I first heard the term "Beginner's Mind" at a Summer Seminar for Grad. School. When I was young, being a "Beginner" was not interpreted by society at large, or my peers as a positive place to be. It has come to mean liberation for me, a battle cry of victory. "I am a Beginner!" I begin things, sometimes I don't like the activity, the book, the whatever, and I give myself the permission to leave it. Sometimes, I am fulfilled and excited by the newness and continue on. I love the freedom that accepting in "Beginner Status" provides me now. Sometimes, it's scary, but as someone with lifelong anxiety, I am a Pro at the Anxiety, and yet a Beginner at accepting it and committing to a small action to lessen it.
Beautiful. I relate so thanks for the eloquent reminder. Reset is a mini mantra I find useful in conjunction with Beginner's mind. Especially when I get hooked off track and away from my valued path. So, every moment is a chance to begin again.
Abundance. From one of the many mental health/wellbeing sources I use as compass and balm. It's a feeling, a sense, of fullness, enoughness, warmth, love and light. It calms me. It helps me relate and respond to myself, to others, to situations and circumstances from a stable, inner space of being at home.
Then, I'm more able to act from awareness, patience, acceptance and forgiveness. Everything is weighted, calibrated, added to this sense of space, from where I gift what I'm able at any given time. As an early childhood educator, this presence offers safety and strength to our youngest of today and our future tomorrows.
I really like this idea of abundance. I think it's the perfect antidote to feelings of scarcity and fear that we feel in illness or difficult times. It's the opposite mindset of survival which can feel so heavy at times whereas abundance brings lightness, gratitude, and peace into that space.
I will be trying to focus on this word too. Thank you for sharing
Thank you for sharing it helped reinforce how right I was to end a vacation that was making me sick. I went to Las Vegas with a friend, it was supposed to be for 7 nights, but by day 2 I was ready to go home. The frequent exposure to marijuana smoke had triggered a fibro flare and the person I traveled with wasn’t comprehending what I was saying about what I needed. So I canceled the rest of the trip and came home. I feel so much better and your newsletter just reinforced why I was right to make my self-care a bigger priority than pleasing someone else. Ty
With: So much of my life I have pushed through and against my chronic illness and pain. I have done everything in spite of my disability, despite my body. But, over time, this pushing has only worsened my condition, exacerbated my pain, made my orthostatic intolerance spiral to almost zero. My drive to produce to be a part of work focused capitalist, able-bodied culture and desire to be seen as normative has actually made my body less sustainable day to day. Now, I want to stop doing everything against, in spite of, or despite of my body; I want to live my life with this weird, wonderful, painful, exquisite, wildly creative body that is ever so distinctly mine own.
I’ve always been partial to a an offer that I believe comes from Kurt Vonnegut: “ Unexpected invitations to travel are dancing lessons from God. “ For me these invitations come in varied forms at almost any time and place. Sometimes it’s a physical sensation, or thought, or impulse. Sometimes it comes from outside me, like this prompt or an actual request from someone to get together or go on an adventure. Where it comes from doesn’t matter as long as I’m paying attention. If I am I’m likely to accept the invitation. And who knows what wonderful place or experience that can lead me to!!
Suleika, it seems your body is sending you all kinds of signals now. Unbidden and unpleasant sometimes. I don’t really think of you as apologetic. You describe what’s going on with you and what steps you are taking. You are dealing with the facts of your condition. In my world facts don’t require apologies. So I accept your “unapologetically stance”. You are you and many of us are richer for that. Thank you❤️🙏🏾
FOCUS calmly on my dreams - having reached my 70s is a shocking place to be - it produces a kind of anxiety I've never known - I need to practice being a bit selfish ...
i know what you are talking about Sharon: i am soon to be 80, so hang in there. As someone above just said at least we are still alive, so let's enjoy every day that we have left.
Suleika, you are one of the main reasons I joined Substack—so being able to offer a prompt to your community is a wild full circle moment for me.
Thank you so much. I am all here for your unapologetic direction. And thank you to everyone who has read my essay and shared your own word story. I’m blown away. Being brazen is leading me to unexpected blessings like these and I cherish all your thoughtful answers so, so much.
Your writing, Tatiana, is moving and graceful. 🦋 ------ Like you, I joined Substack because of Suleika's powerful, empathetic writing. And I discovered a community of support.
"""Courage"" i read it first in the Bible, actually i heard someone on the radio read it from the Bible, before i even opened the Bible., Joshua 1: 9 Be strong and courageous"" it says it's an order from the Lord that when things go wrong in life as they certainly will, when you face life's hardships, when everything seem to be falling away at the seams, to have "Courage" It has allowed me to not fall apart and get through the most difficult times.I'm not an artist in any way, but i guess you could say in every way a little bit of artist in me in every way. Thank you for making us ""think" and also to be thankful and grateful, two things that are missing from society as a whole these days
The quote from Joshua was embroidered on a purse which was given to me when I stepped into the hospital for my transplant. It’s a commandment, a prayer, a mantra, a deep-seated wish. We become courageous and strong without realizing it. Thank you for the reminder.
Being brave is a good think. Being thankful and having gratitude is so divine. I try to start every morning with 5 things I’m grateful for. They could be the simplest things but it helps the day go much more positive.
Acceptance is the word that describes the goal I have for myself. I’ve fought and hated myself for the role depression has played in my life. Your comment makes me realize it is part of who I am along with empathy for others, love and qualities to be proud of.
I totally understand, “I am sorry,” as a way that I was socialized to diminish myself. I am glad that you remind me, yourself and the community to speak honestly and feel our presence as worthy.
The word that has recently influenced me is, grit.
When I find myself writing “I’m sorry” in an email, or catch myself about to say it, I change it to “thank you for your ________” patience, understanding, etc.
Gratitude is way more empowering than guilt :)!
“I’m sorry” makes me feel smaller- both physically and in my voice, weighed down and cut down.
But “thank you” makes me feel on top, light, and forward-moving! Internally I’m still pulled by the “I’m sorry” but when I choose “thank you” it’s like I’m looking down into the “sorry” ditch while I skip along the “thank you” ridge lol
I could have written your paragraph and chosen that word! I was taught to never get above myself (whatever that means), to not take up space, to subjugate myself always. Grit. It took me a long time to realize I have it.
Perfectly timed in reading this prompt. Last night I was at a party for the LA team at a prominent directors house. My position on this film was a step sideways to create looks for the large crowd scenes along side an a-list costume designer and friend. I thought I went into the party with my alter ego I built for these occasions but left with insecurity. I gave my power away. Or maybe I “humbled myself”. This is the first time in a long time I have been a bit beaten up by an industry I have loved. I keep hitting walls of late. Interviews not conquered has put my bank accounts lower then I like. My self esteem even lower. Where was my alter ego I thought I packed? And yet I am healthier then I have been in awhile. I have lost almost 29 pounds. I workout hard. I am more connected to my peaceful self. I see friends I haven’t had time for because I travel so much. I read, write and draw. And yet I felt almost ashamed for filling my time with such self love because I am not working. I feel failure instead of success in taking advantage of a moment universe slow down to self health and care. Health is wealth too!
Brazen is such a good word. Can I steal it? Bad ass, talented, creative force, confident, sexy, smart, brave, cool, focused. Maybe my alter ego just needed one word of cheering. A mantra to remind her of who in the face of she is also so much more and shows it. Bold might be pushy. No bold is to be remembered. Bold is a risk taker. Bold also means self love with care when things slow down. And bold is saying yes and showing up for a career I have always loved. Showing up healthy!
“There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans, that the moment one definitely commits oneself that Providence moves, too. Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
This quote attributed to Goethe moved me to make the boldest move of my life and it was the sweetest gift of time, freedom and joy and I gave it to myself. Bold is an awesome word!
Gentleness. Having had to deal with so very many people after my husband of 46 years passed, many many things needed to be changed, from insurance to credit cards and auto payments. All of these were over the phone. I felt my blood pressure rise so very many times as so many of these encounters were with such rude customer service representatives. It took so many phone calls and more than once I felt like reaching through the phone and giving them a good slap to the head. Not exactly what I wanted to be pushed to, but totally out of the frustration that one feels these days when trying to get through to some of these companies. So, I decided to try to be gentle with them and especially with myself. It is still an ongoing fight with one company, but I find I can repeat in my mind the “be gentle” mantra, and start to calm myself now.
Yes! "Gentleness" is a word I try to emphasize with my two little boys. We try to be not only gentle with the creatures we find in the grass, or the dozing cat, but gentle with each other and with ourselves. It is a great skill, I think, to be able to choose gentleness over anger or frustration.
I came upon this quote that I resonated with that gives me the courage to help me have new male and female friends, because most of my dear friend have died. The quote is : “A loving heart is a magical magnet for magnificence”. Sherri Rosen
♥️♥️♥️
Love it. I couldn't decide on one word and came up with radical love or radical empathy. This is a beautiful way of saying that. Thank you.
🙏❤️
"Beginner..." I first heard the term "Beginner's Mind" at a Summer Seminar for Grad. School. When I was young, being a "Beginner" was not interpreted by society at large, or my peers as a positive place to be. It has come to mean liberation for me, a battle cry of victory. "I am a Beginner!" I begin things, sometimes I don't like the activity, the book, the whatever, and I give myself the permission to leave it. Sometimes, I am fulfilled and excited by the newness and continue on. I love the freedom that accepting in "Beginner Status" provides me now. Sometimes, it's scary, but as someone with lifelong anxiety, I am a Pro at the Anxiety, and yet a Beginner at accepting it and committing to a small action to lessen it.
Beautiful. I relate so thanks for the eloquent reminder. Reset is a mini mantra I find useful in conjunction with Beginner's mind. Especially when I get hooked off track and away from my valued path. So, every moment is a chance to begin again.
I love that, "Reset"...it (for me) will remind me to pause, breathe and then, well, whatever the hell I want to do next!
Haha, right on 🤙
The courage to be a beginner. What a beautiful gift and word. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is perfect.
Thank you, Beth. Your kindness is appreciated! (by me)
Abundance. From one of the many mental health/wellbeing sources I use as compass and balm. It's a feeling, a sense, of fullness, enoughness, warmth, love and light. It calms me. It helps me relate and respond to myself, to others, to situations and circumstances from a stable, inner space of being at home.
Then, I'm more able to act from awareness, patience, acceptance and forgiveness. Everything is weighted, calibrated, added to this sense of space, from where I gift what I'm able at any given time. As an early childhood educator, this presence offers safety and strength to our youngest of today and our future tomorrows.
I really like this idea of abundance. I think it's the perfect antidote to feelings of scarcity and fear that we feel in illness or difficult times. It's the opposite mindset of survival which can feel so heavy at times whereas abundance brings lightness, gratitude, and peace into that space.
I will be trying to focus on this word too. Thank you for sharing
You're welcome. And thanks for expanding on the idea. This is what's beautiful about these threads. Expanding our understanding and perspective.
❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing it helped reinforce how right I was to end a vacation that was making me sick. I went to Las Vegas with a friend, it was supposed to be for 7 nights, but by day 2 I was ready to go home. The frequent exposure to marijuana smoke had triggered a fibro flare and the person I traveled with wasn’t comprehending what I was saying about what I needed. So I canceled the rest of the trip and came home. I feel so much better and your newsletter just reinforced why I was right to make my self-care a bigger priority than pleasing someone else. Ty
Ahhh...self care rather than pleasing someone else...beautiful!
Agree !! Beautiful
That was bravery and took grit-- knowing going home was the best for you and doing it.
💜
With: So much of my life I have pushed through and against my chronic illness and pain. I have done everything in spite of my disability, despite my body. But, over time, this pushing has only worsened my condition, exacerbated my pain, made my orthostatic intolerance spiral to almost zero. My drive to produce to be a part of work focused capitalist, able-bodied culture and desire to be seen as normative has actually made my body less sustainable day to day. Now, I want to stop doing everything against, in spite of, or despite of my body; I want to live my life with this weird, wonderful, painful, exquisite, wildly creative body that is ever so distinctly mine own.
I’ve always been partial to a an offer that I believe comes from Kurt Vonnegut: “ Unexpected invitations to travel are dancing lessons from God. “ For me these invitations come in varied forms at almost any time and place. Sometimes it’s a physical sensation, or thought, or impulse. Sometimes it comes from outside me, like this prompt or an actual request from someone to get together or go on an adventure. Where it comes from doesn’t matter as long as I’m paying attention. If I am I’m likely to accept the invitation. And who knows what wonderful place or experience that can lead me to!!
Suleika, it seems your body is sending you all kinds of signals now. Unbidden and unpleasant sometimes. I don’t really think of you as apologetic. You describe what’s going on with you and what steps you are taking. You are dealing with the facts of your condition. In my world facts don’t require apologies. So I accept your “unapologetically stance”. You are you and many of us are richer for that. Thank you❤️🙏🏾
Love this so much—thank you for sharing, Charlie ♥️
Facile- positive or negative depending on interpretation
Mae, I had to look this word up. I like it!
I actually did not know it at one time, and when i lived in Berlin people said that about me.. most likely because I had to be flexible to survive xo
FOCUS calmly on my dreams - having reached my 70s is a shocking place to be - it produces a kind of anxiety I've never known - I need to practice being a bit selfish ...
i know what you are talking about Sharon: i am soon to be 80, so hang in there. As someone above just said at least we are still alive, so let's enjoy every day that we have left.
Healing.
Heal Write.
I write to heal trauma. My journey began in 2018 with a cancer diagnosis and continues each day. It's a process of loving self-care.
Namaste.
I adore this. Thank you so much for sharing.
Suleika, you are one of the main reasons I joined Substack—so being able to offer a prompt to your community is a wild full circle moment for me.
Thank you so much. I am all here for your unapologetic direction. And thank you to everyone who has read my essay and shared your own word story. I’m blown away. Being brazen is leading me to unexpected blessings like these and I cherish all your thoughtful answers so, so much.
Thank you, Tatiana—and we’re so excited to see where your brazen face takes you! ♥️
Your writing, Tatiana, is moving and graceful. 🦋 ------ Like you, I joined Substack because of Suleika's powerful, empathetic writing. And I discovered a community of support.
Thank you so much, Linda. How beautiful Suleika brought us both to this wonderful community! ❤️
"""Courage"" i read it first in the Bible, actually i heard someone on the radio read it from the Bible, before i even opened the Bible., Joshua 1: 9 Be strong and courageous"" it says it's an order from the Lord that when things go wrong in life as they certainly will, when you face life's hardships, when everything seem to be falling away at the seams, to have "Courage" It has allowed me to not fall apart and get through the most difficult times.I'm not an artist in any way, but i guess you could say in every way a little bit of artist in me in every way. Thank you for making us ""think" and also to be thankful and grateful, two things that are missing from society as a whole these days
The quote from Joshua was embroidered on a purse which was given to me when I stepped into the hospital for my transplant. It’s a commandment, a prayer, a mantra, a deep-seated wish. We become courageous and strong without realizing it. Thank you for the reminder.
Being brave is a good think. Being thankful and having gratitude is so divine. I try to start every morning with 5 things I’m grateful for. They could be the simplest things but it helps the day go much more positive.
what a great question and timely as well.
My word is Passion.
After a debilitating depression lasting a decade, this is helping the fog lighten to let the brilliance of life shine through.
thank you!
I get it. I have clinical depression too. I don’t love my illness but I’ve learned to accept it as part of me.
Acceptance is the word that describes the goal I have for myself. I’ve fought and hated myself for the role depression has played in my life. Your comment makes me realize it is part of who I am along with empathy for others, love and qualities to be proud of.
I totally understand, “I am sorry,” as a way that I was socialized to diminish myself. I am glad that you remind me, yourself and the community to speak honestly and feel our presence as worthy.
The word that has recently influenced me is, grit.
When I find myself writing “I’m sorry” in an email, or catch myself about to say it, I change it to “thank you for your ________” patience, understanding, etc.
Gratitude is way more empowering than guilt :)!
“I’m sorry” makes me feel smaller- both physically and in my voice, weighed down and cut down.
But “thank you” makes me feel on top, light, and forward-moving! Internally I’m still pulled by the “I’m sorry” but when I choose “thank you” it’s like I’m looking down into the “sorry” ditch while I skip along the “thank you” ridge lol
I could have written your paragraph and chosen that word! I was taught to never get above myself (whatever that means), to not take up space, to subjugate myself always. Grit. It took me a long time to realize I have it.
I also use the word “secure,” to help me recenter.
Perfectly timed in reading this prompt. Last night I was at a party for the LA team at a prominent directors house. My position on this film was a step sideways to create looks for the large crowd scenes along side an a-list costume designer and friend. I thought I went into the party with my alter ego I built for these occasions but left with insecurity. I gave my power away. Or maybe I “humbled myself”. This is the first time in a long time I have been a bit beaten up by an industry I have loved. I keep hitting walls of late. Interviews not conquered has put my bank accounts lower then I like. My self esteem even lower. Where was my alter ego I thought I packed? And yet I am healthier then I have been in awhile. I have lost almost 29 pounds. I workout hard. I am more connected to my peaceful self. I see friends I haven’t had time for because I travel so much. I read, write and draw. And yet I felt almost ashamed for filling my time with such self love because I am not working. I feel failure instead of success in taking advantage of a moment universe slow down to self health and care. Health is wealth too!
Brazen is such a good word. Can I steal it? Bad ass, talented, creative force, confident, sexy, smart, brave, cool, focused. Maybe my alter ego just needed one word of cheering. A mantra to remind her of who in the face of she is also so much more and shows it. Bold might be pushy. No bold is to be remembered. Bold is a risk taker. Bold also means self love with care when things slow down. And bold is saying yes and showing up for a career I have always loved. Showing up healthy!
“There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans, that the moment one definitely commits oneself that Providence moves, too. Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
This quote attributed to Goethe moved me to make the boldest move of my life and it was the sweetest gift of time, freedom and joy and I gave it to myself. Bold is an awesome word!
Thank you for such a beautiful quote. Going to put it where I can see it everyday!
Yes yes yes! Brazen can be yours too. Thank you so much for your kind words. I hope the brazen spirit takes you to bold, beautiful places ❤️
Dearest Suleika and Tatiana...thank you so much for today's gorgeous offering.
To allow oneself to truly hear, to surrender to, and to honor , one's internal stirrings and needs.....a most loving stance!!
With much love and gratitude
Janet
Gentleness. Having had to deal with so very many people after my husband of 46 years passed, many many things needed to be changed, from insurance to credit cards and auto payments. All of these were over the phone. I felt my blood pressure rise so very many times as so many of these encounters were with such rude customer service representatives. It took so many phone calls and more than once I felt like reaching through the phone and giving them a good slap to the head. Not exactly what I wanted to be pushed to, but totally out of the frustration that one feels these days when trying to get through to some of these companies. So, I decided to try to be gentle with them and especially with myself. It is still an ongoing fight with one company, but I find I can repeat in my mind the “be gentle” mantra, and start to calm myself now.
Yes! "Gentleness" is a word I try to emphasize with my two little boys. We try to be not only gentle with the creatures we find in the grass, or the dozing cat, but gentle with each other and with ourselves. It is a great skill, I think, to be able to choose gentleness over anger or frustration.
Gentle is such a gorgeous word. I needed this mantra/reminder myself.