Great point, Duane on that “easy silence” being a space for thinking. I think of that easy silence as an open container or sandbox of sort. Not sure if that makes sense.
Lovely words Duane. There are many times I feel the need to establish routines in a few aspects of my life and perhaps I damn well should! Love the collages
This speaks to me so much. I love rituals, structure, and consistency because they make me feel safe. I try not to look at the “side effects” they have, but you are right - all these things can hold you back. Thanks for the reminder (and the uncomfortable truth)!
Thanks so much Susanne. You are so speaking my language. I’m at my safest and most comfortable when I’m deeply imbedded in ritualized practices. But I definitely have the tendency to prize the preservation of those routines over the opportunities to welcome the grace and change that comes the moments of vulnerability that break them.
I had an experience of a novel breaking me open in the most wonderful way. I wrote about it in my post this week. I can hold myself so close I close up.
I know exactly what you mean! It’s so easy for me ti be so shut down and disconnected from everyone and everything. I can be a kind of scary thing when something break open in a big, but it can also be so refreshing. So glad to hear you’ve had a moment like that! I’ll have look for you post. I’d love to read it!
This will be one of my favorite posts for awhile as I return to think on these things. I had just finished a poem on the theme of self-preservation when this post notification popped up. Ah, sweet serendipity.
Ahh, great wisdom. You draw from the same well as me. “When broken is the fix” has been my tagline for years and continues to be my truest explanation/examination of healing.
“When broken is the fix” - Kimberly!! That is d@mn good line! Yes! You and I are speaking the same language indeed! A broken heart is an open heart, and “As deeply as you open to life,” John O’ Donohue says, “so deeply will life open up to you.”
Great point, Duane on that “easy silence” being a space for thinking. I think of that easy silence as an open container or sandbox of sort. Not sure if that makes sense.
Thanks Neil! Yes it makes perfect sense! A place of welcoming possibility, and potentiality!
Lovely words Duane. There are many times I feel the need to establish routines in a few aspects of my life and perhaps I damn well should! Love the collages
Thanks Jon! It helps so much, but the trick is to know when to let them go, it’s a tough balance some times
I can imagine!!
“…the easy silence that comes when you give yourself the choice to stay open no matter how much it disrupts the safety of your routines.”
Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Your words and your art. Thank you for sharing this.
This resonates Duane. Love your work!
Thanks Dan! I appreciate it! I get so much out of your work, means a lot to me!
I love all of the pieces that accompany this post, Duane, as well as your thoughts on routine and ritual.
Thanks so much Paul! Glad you like it! Great to hear from you!
Send me the link for your shop, Duane & Thank you!
Sure thing Paul, here you go:
https://duane-toops-shop.fourthwall.com/
This speaks to me so much. I love rituals, structure, and consistency because they make me feel safe. I try not to look at the “side effects” they have, but you are right - all these things can hold you back. Thanks for the reminder (and the uncomfortable truth)!
Thanks so much Susanne. You are so speaking my language. I’m at my safest and most comfortable when I’m deeply imbedded in ritualized practices. But I definitely have the tendency to prize the preservation of those routines over the opportunities to welcome the grace and change that comes the moments of vulnerability that break them.
I had an experience of a novel breaking me open in the most wonderful way. I wrote about it in my post this week. I can hold myself so close I close up.
I know exactly what you mean! It’s so easy for me ti be so shut down and disconnected from everyone and everything. I can be a kind of scary thing when something break open in a big, but it can also be so refreshing. So glad to hear you’ve had a moment like that! I’ll have look for you post. I’d love to read it!
Here it is if you’d like to take a look: https://substack.com/@leeannpickrell/p-169383790
LeeAnn!! Just wow! I can’t begin to tell you how beautiful this is and how profoundly it touches deep places. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for your piece, which in a bit of synchronicity connected with mine.
Connects exactly! It’s an absolutely perfect example of the not-places I’m always thinking of.
This will be one of my favorite posts for awhile as I return to think on these things. I had just finished a poem on the theme of self-preservation when this post notification popped up. Ah, sweet serendipity.
Wow! That’s so lovely Laura! Glad the timing was right! If you post your poem, let me know I’d love to read it!
Ahh, great wisdom. You draw from the same well as me. “When broken is the fix” has been my tagline for years and continues to be my truest explanation/examination of healing.
“When broken is the fix” - Kimberly!! That is d@mn good line! Yes! You and I are speaking the same language indeed! A broken heart is an open heart, and “As deeply as you open to life,” John O’ Donohue says, “so deeply will life open up to you.”