I so appreciated hearing this. There is a low-self-esteem-engine in my brain that tells me: "Everything you write will be: 1) not as good as someone else (and it's my fault for not being that good, 2) I'm just too strange no one will relate, 3) someone else already said it who cares." I keep forgetting it's crap.
What if there were really others who are always better (and it’s not your fault); what if you Really were too strange and no one could relate and there was (most certainly) someone who said it before? What if these thoughts were actually true? What would be the consequences for you? You cite these thoughts and say you forget they are crap - what if your thoughts were not crap but you were an intelligent man whose thoughts are based on a faculty of solid analysis? I don’t mean to turn You down but maybe it’s getting you a different perspective ...
I am so glad you were brave enough to let go the “five things” and instead wrote from your heart about doubt, faith, and moments of awakening. Your honesty feeds our bravery to do the same.
Thank you for all the healing seeds you have planted in 2022. You are a light in my universe.
You are also a bridge to a compassionate and hopeful understanding of Christianity, which I have become entirely suspect of as white Christian nationalism has gained prominence in American society.
Thank you for being my "Influencer". Our Drug of Choice was the one post I had saved to read again and share. I picked up and read The Righteous Mind. This is also the work of Braver Angels (https://braverangels.org) Although I don't Tweet, Instagram, or TikTok, I am an expert on confessing other people's sins. And from a different post - thanks especially for getting me to listen to Florence and the Machine. I am now a fan.
I'm a poet, and at one point in my writing life I went to a lot of writing workshops. I did learn a lot. (And I spent a lot of money.) But never in any of them did an instructor say one of the things I grew to know about the process of creation: It's often rather painful. Period. The same thing is true about listening for God. I wish it was more yippee-skippy, but it's not. At least for me.
I share daily inspirations with other sober friends. I copied and shared your last paragraph today. Please forgive any copyright infringement. In my defense, I did give credit to you! Just FYI, I often quote you as ‘my pastor’ to the church ladies I meet here in the Bible Belt.
I'm reading a book called The Phantom God by John C Wathey on the neroscience of God-like perceptions that he bases on early childhood innate neural programing. Your reference to toddlers drew me to write this. The book is worth a read.
This thought popped in my mind today. What if it has only been like a week or 2 in God’s point of View. They come back. I imagine first They say “I leave everyone alone for a week and you mess everything up.” Then they sigh and smile, come down to the floor level and help us pick up our toys and clean up the mess.
You bring your perfectly imperfect self (your truth) to all your writings....that is the essence of connection for me. Thank you for showing me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and “human” with all our combined fabulousness yet always being open to learn something new about ourselves and how we relate to the world through our individual experiences. Keeping it real in the moments going forward is the task ahead (the word task seems too daunting). Maybe “is the preferred option should I choose authenticity” is a better fit.
Bring in the New Year...I am ready, ha, at least I am in this moment!
You and Jesus have something in common. You tell me things I don’t necessarily like, but I need to hear--over and over. Could you please repost this one about every couple of months, until I actually get it?
No matter how you get there Nadia -what you say and what God says with your voice is always eye opening and uplifting for me! BTW -interesting (not so cheerful) article on Jonathan Haidt in yesterday 12/31 WSJ
Thank you for the honesty. I kind of hate the year end lists. It seems unnecessary to make hierarchies of artists and lessons learned. Who really learns 5 worthwhile things per year anyway? I'm pretty proud of the fact that I tend to only reliably follow people like you and Kate Bowler because I trust you both to tell me the truth.
Thanks for describing your wrestling writing process and for reposting the other drug of choice piece. Mine too. I may name the things I unlearned in 2022. More accurate! Thanks for this space of belonging and wrestling!
I will read anything you write and be grateful for your wisdom that always shines through. 2022 has been a very difficult year- potentially very serious health issues for my husband and myself. My lifelong anxiety is ramped up to the max and that isn't helping for sure. I'm hanging on to faith and trying to trust that God is with us in all of this but trying kind of makes things worse. Still I don't know what else to do but continue to pray for a stronger faith and peace of mind.
Your insights and honesty about your own struggles along with the wisdom shared by this wonderful community have helped me more than you can ever know.
I will try to remember to be gentle with the crappy parts and look for the unknown good things that will come in 2023. Thank you and God bless you.
I so appreciated hearing this. There is a low-self-esteem-engine in my brain that tells me: "Everything you write will be: 1) not as good as someone else (and it's my fault for not being that good, 2) I'm just too strange no one will relate, 3) someone else already said it who cares." I keep forgetting it's crap.
So nice to hear your voice Mark!!! I have always enjoyed your voice!!!
What if there were really others who are always better (and it’s not your fault); what if you Really were too strange and no one could relate and there was (most certainly) someone who said it before? What if these thoughts were actually true? What would be the consequences for you? You cite these thoughts and say you forget they are crap - what if your thoughts were not crap but you were an intelligent man whose thoughts are based on a faculty of solid analysis? I don’t mean to turn You down but maybe it’s getting you a different perspective ...
I am so glad you were brave enough to let go the “five things” and instead wrote from your heart about doubt, faith, and moments of awakening. Your honesty feeds our bravery to do the same.
Thank you for all the healing seeds you have planted in 2022. You are a light in my universe.
You are also a bridge to a compassionate and hopeful understanding of Christianity, which I have become entirely suspect of as white Christian nationalism has gained prominence in American society.
Thank you, Nicole.
Thank you for being my "Influencer". Our Drug of Choice was the one post I had saved to read again and share. I picked up and read The Righteous Mind. This is also the work of Braver Angels (https://braverangels.org) Although I don't Tweet, Instagram, or TikTok, I am an expert on confessing other people's sins. And from a different post - thanks especially for getting me to listen to Florence and the Machine. I am now a fan.
"An expert on confessing other people's sins": boy howdy, did THAT little nugget of phrasing ever gleam brightly at me this morning -- thanks!
I'm a poet, and at one point in my writing life I went to a lot of writing workshops. I did learn a lot. (And I spent a lot of money.) But never in any of them did an instructor say one of the things I grew to know about the process of creation: It's often rather painful. Period. The same thing is true about listening for God. I wish it was more yippee-skippy, but it's not. At least for me.
I share daily inspirations with other sober friends. I copied and shared your last paragraph today. Please forgive any copyright infringement. In my defense, I did give credit to you! Just FYI, I often quote you as ‘my pastor’ to the church ladies I meet here in the Bible Belt.
Enjoy this last day of 2022! I love you!
I'm reading a book called The Phantom God by John C Wathey on the neroscience of God-like perceptions that he bases on early childhood innate neural programing. Your reference to toddlers drew me to write this. The book is worth a read.
This thought popped in my mind today. What if it has only been like a week or 2 in God’s point of View. They come back. I imagine first They say “I leave everyone alone for a week and you mess everything up.” Then they sigh and smile, come down to the floor level and help us pick up our toys and clean up the mess.
You bring your perfectly imperfect self (your truth) to all your writings....that is the essence of connection for me. Thank you for showing me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and “human” with all our combined fabulousness yet always being open to learn something new about ourselves and how we relate to the world through our individual experiences. Keeping it real in the moments going forward is the task ahead (the word task seems too daunting). Maybe “is the preferred option should I choose authenticity” is a better fit.
Bring in the New Year...I am ready, ha, at least I am in this moment!
You and Jesus have something in common. You tell me things I don’t necessarily like, but I need to hear--over and over. Could you please repost this one about every couple of months, until I actually get it?
Being gentle with the crappy parts is going to be my new mantra❤️
No matter how you get there Nadia -what you say and what God says with your voice is always eye opening and uplifting for me! BTW -interesting (not so cheerful) article on Jonathan Haidt in yesterday 12/31 WSJ
Thank you for the honesty. I kind of hate the year end lists. It seems unnecessary to make hierarchies of artists and lessons learned. Who really learns 5 worthwhile things per year anyway? I'm pretty proud of the fact that I tend to only reliably follow people like you and Kate Bowler because I trust you both to tell me the truth.
Please just keep being you. We don’t need the bs and trite sayings, keeping it real is what I’m here for x
Thanks for describing your wrestling writing process and for reposting the other drug of choice piece. Mine too. I may name the things I unlearned in 2022. More accurate! Thanks for this space of belonging and wrestling!
Thanks for this Nadia. I'm so glad you opted for authenticity. That's why I follow you! Lots of love for the new year.
I will read anything you write and be grateful for your wisdom that always shines through. 2022 has been a very difficult year- potentially very serious health issues for my husband and myself. My lifelong anxiety is ramped up to the max and that isn't helping for sure. I'm hanging on to faith and trying to trust that God is with us in all of this but trying kind of makes things worse. Still I don't know what else to do but continue to pray for a stronger faith and peace of mind.
Your insights and honesty about your own struggles along with the wisdom shared by this wonderful community have helped me more than you can ever know.
I will try to remember to be gentle with the crappy parts and look for the unknown good things that will come in 2023. Thank you and God bless you.