John Donne said no man is an island, every man is a part of the continent and I love that poem but most days I feel less part of a continent and more pebble on the sand.
I loved this article. Thank you. I too encounter homeless people on my part time security job at Walmart. If they are approachable I try to be kind to them and let them know they are seen and heard. I also provide food for them when I buy my supper. I think that it is sad that there are homeless people in America.
I had to think about this, but you’re right. People don’t “need” private jets and yachts, but they have them. People definitely don’t “need” to be living in poverty in a war zone, but this is what they were given.
Your piece is so lyrical it reads like a prose poem (but with no pretense). I agree with you: almost all of us want the same basic things. I suspect what people have trouble articulating are the steps to get there.
I sometimes wonder if people don't articulate because they don't want to be judged or pitied. I remember sitting in a counsellor's office after my divorce and crying and saying why couldn't he love me? And the look on the counsellor's face was enough to make me not ever want to show that much pain to anyone again. His shortcoming. But it affected me.
Ahh, the weight of wanting. In receiving, I discover the thing desired is merely a paver on the path to a truer gift that waits beyond the wanting. Maybe that's why wanting is so heavy ... all those stone pavers hauled around in our hearts.
My two cents worth: the weight of wanting is unbearable when what we really want is to be held within community, a shared worldview and a shared life rooted in place, i.e. a sense of belonging that includes a relationship with the life of the land ... and most of us have never known that, so we don't even know we are missing it. And when we do realise we are missing it, it's not something you can go out and 'get' for yourself or by yourself. How do we row back from not only the nuclear family but the nuclear person?
Linda, this was a beautiful piece to read. My former pastor always said "Grab the near edge" and I have made that a practice for many years now. You do what you can do, because you can only do so much. But you can always do good. You clearly have a good heart and I have no doubt you make a difference in others lives daily.
What a beautiful piece of writing. I laughed and felt your words deeply. To me, that's what life is all about, feeling, experiencing, seeing the human condition. It is precious beyond words and oh so painful. We'd do well to tell our children that while most will do nearly anything to hang onto life, it isn't always, nor nearly always, an easy ride.
Funny how serendipitous life is. I *just* finished a different Substack post on wanting. The author is in therapy and has an assignment to focus on what he really wants. He writes them down every day; they’re surface wants right now. He hopes with time, he’ll be able to dig deeper. He’s building an app to help.
Anyway, your piece was a nice follow-on to that. So many of us are digging through the cobwebs to find what we really want.
This is a beautiful essay, Linda, and you're a beautiful person. My heart breaks for the homeless man; what has happened to this country that so many people are ending up living on the streets?
I love this piece you’ve written. And thank you for releasing it at a time when I really needed it.
Thank you Celia. It's nice to know someone else is in the same place sometimes xo
You have no idea how much I needed this today. Much love to you. I'm not sure how to Share notes yet.
I loved this article. Thank you. I too encounter homeless people on my part time security job at Walmart. If they are approachable I try to be kind to them and let them know they are seen and heard. I also provide food for them when I buy my supper. I think that it is sad that there are homeless people in America.
Thank you James. There is so much that's sad in the world that sometimes the weight of it is overwhelming
I loved every word of this.
Thank you :)
Thank you for this. I feel a little less lonely 🌸
Thank you, Raine. Some days I feel like I'm made of lonely more than the world we've created. I know you understand what I mean by that :)
Beautiful writing as usual, Linda. - Jim
Thank you Jim
Thank you for this. I loved it. I may not always get what I want, but I do always get what I need. Sometimes they are different.
They are different, for sure. Lots of people get what they don't need, too.
I had to think about this, but you’re right. People don’t “need” private jets and yachts, but they have them. People definitely don’t “need” to be living in poverty in a war zone, but this is what they were given.
Your piece is so lyrical it reads like a prose poem (but with no pretense). I agree with you: almost all of us want the same basic things. I suspect what people have trouble articulating are the steps to get there.
I sometimes wonder if people don't articulate because they don't want to be judged or pitied. I remember sitting in a counsellor's office after my divorce and crying and saying why couldn't he love me? And the look on the counsellor's face was enough to make me not ever want to show that much pain to anyone again. His shortcoming. But it affected me.
Jesus. Of course it did. Shitty counselor.
Ahh, the weight of wanting. In receiving, I discover the thing desired is merely a paver on the path to a truer gift that waits beyond the wanting. Maybe that's why wanting is so heavy ... all those stone pavers hauled around in our hearts.
Thank you for this, it's all so true.
My two cents worth: the weight of wanting is unbearable when what we really want is to be held within community, a shared worldview and a shared life rooted in place, i.e. a sense of belonging that includes a relationship with the life of the land ... and most of us have never known that, so we don't even know we are missing it. And when we do realise we are missing it, it's not something you can go out and 'get' for yourself or by yourself. How do we row back from not only the nuclear family but the nuclear person?
Wow, Cesca, that's a really powerful thought. And you're right, I don't know how to row back either. Or forward, some days.
Me either, but there are a lot of people trying to find a way at the moment, and (hurray!) a lot of us are on Substack.
Linda, this was a beautiful piece to read. My former pastor always said "Grab the near edge" and I have made that a practice for many years now. You do what you can do, because you can only do so much. But you can always do good. You clearly have a good heart and I have no doubt you make a difference in others lives daily.
Thank you Paula. I like that a lot. Grab near the edge.
Beautiful and sad and hopeful all at the same time. I think we all want to know that we mattered.
Thank you Christine. I agree. I don't know why mattering means so much, but I think it does.
What a beautiful piece of writing. I laughed and felt your words deeply. To me, that's what life is all about, feeling, experiencing, seeing the human condition. It is precious beyond words and oh so painful. We'd do well to tell our children that while most will do nearly anything to hang onto life, it isn't always, nor nearly always, an easy ride.
I do agree Amaya. It's not always an easy ride. For some, not often, either.
Funny how serendipitous life is. I *just* finished a different Substack post on wanting. The author is in therapy and has an assignment to focus on what he really wants. He writes them down every day; they’re surface wants right now. He hopes with time, he’ll be able to dig deeper. He’s building an app to help.
Anyway, your piece was a nice follow-on to that. So many of us are digging through the cobwebs to find what we really want.
Thanks for writing!
Loved that.
Very meaningful Linda.
Thank you.
This is a beautiful essay, Linda, and you're a beautiful person. My heart breaks for the homeless man; what has happened to this country that so many people are ending up living on the streets?