Sending a sincere note of thanks to those who have shared their views, in the form of thoughtful comments, to my posts here on Substack.
As you may know, comments and likes have become, in the social media world, a guage for the author to measure their popularity and success.
The more comments and likes, the better the wizard behind the curtain feels about themselves. Human behavior, I suppose.
In the mindfulness education world that I reside in, however, comments — in the classroom, during workshops, and in response to posts, are powerful ways to expand ideas, reframe perspectives, and allow this diverse group of readers to learn from one another.
I received one such powerful comment today, to the post titled Safe and Sound? Part 1.
I’m pasting Jo’s comment below.
Thank you, Jo, for providing relatable, real-life examples of how fragile our sense of safety becomes, as we roll through the stages of our lives.
Feel free to comment and engage with these posts at any time, for the sheer sake of enhancing group learning.
But, don’t feel pressure on my part — my ego is semi-retired!
Safe and Sound? (Part 2) coming soon.
As we continue through the decades, there is so much more that makes us feel unsafe. Our careers are threatened by our advancing age, our children are grown and we can't keep them safe. Our parents die, marriages end, our eyesight dims, our hearing fades. To feel safe we learn to warmly welcome help from all sides, and don't pretend we are still strong and independent. The skills you teach for feeling safe will continue to help us in these later years and I thank you for writing this. ~Jo
Comments, emoji's and likes...oh my!
Wow, I am honored by your quote. Thoughts on the original post are still swirling in my head. When we are brave enough to reveal our vulnerability and fear, it might make those around us grow in kindness or compassion, and perhaps this is one of the last gifts an aging parent can give an adult child.