20 Comments
User's avatar
Manuela Thames's avatar

Once again, this resonated deeply. Thanks for sharing! I honestly have a hard time believing that you hate writing, but then I also get it.

Duane Toops's avatar

I’m so glad you felt it and got something out of it. That means a lot to me, it what keeps me doing this. I appreciate you!

Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

I definitely have felt held and seen here in your writing, thank you for that

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much Kathleen! That means the world to me!

Kay's avatar

Your posts bring me joy, Duane.

I love them.

I think I recognise where you have travelled to in order to write them.

Thank you for writing.

I understand your finding joy at your work bench.

Creating, if I allow myself to let go of things and fully enter that different space, lifts me to somewhere where I can see things differently, more clearly, and can I feel, then reach out and touch a source of light and kindness and love.

I wish that feeling now for you.

Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much Kay! Your feedback always means so much to me! I’d like to think that whenever I make something, I’m helping to make a path that makes it easier for the nest person to walk on. Thanks again!

Kay's avatar

Your posts always mean so much to me, Duane!

And I am sure that I am not the only person who feels that the path you have laid is safe passage home.

Thanks again!

Duane Toops's avatar

And that means so much to me! Thank you Kay!

Charisse Joy Melegrito's avatar

oh yes someone said the j word

Duane Toops's avatar

A damn good word!! And I see you already have it at your center!Thanks so much!

Jill McDougall's avatar

You give so much love to your community, Duane! Thanks for consistently sharing with us- you hold space for so many, and encourage us all so well. You are appreciated!!

Duane Toops's avatar

Love you with all my everything bestie!

Abbey Wade's avatar

It’s hard to love something so much when you know it’s holding pain.

What you give is so beautiful and freeing and so very easy to receive. I’m grateful you share it and I’m grateful to be a witness to it.

Emily Foucart's avatar

Thank you for the mention Duane, I said I thought not everything should be hard and struggle all the time, but who am I to say that, really ?

To throw Joy like that out there seems a little easy.

It’s difficult to talk about that here, everyone has their own story, everyone’s circumstances are peculiar and personal.

All I can say is that sometimes the lingering pain, darkness, needs to be just seen, heard, cast the light on to begin to lighten.

I am an empath, I feel when I read your words.

Many times, people dare not reaching out. Some struggles can’t be solved alone.

Yes, what you share is certainly necessary and useful for many people out there who struggle too.

Thank you for that.

And Take care of yourself... first 😉

Kim Nelson's avatar

Duane ~ I love the textural elements you've added to some of today's collages. Watching your work evolve and change is a real pleasure. And your words continue to be additions to universal upliftment.

Jen Gatz's avatar

May you continue to push through the discomfort and never stop writing.

Deborah Brasket's avatar

I love your writing, Duane. So beautiful, tender, and true. This especially resonates: When someone reads something that I’ve written that makes them feel held and seen, that’s where joy lives for me. I feel that way too when people read my work. That "held and seen" , I feel that. I also love this: In case no one’s told you today, I love you with all my everything. Thank you for lifting up my heart this morning.

The Sea in Me's avatar

The stretch to the Unsayable Self, Duane.

Honoured to have connected once again with your inspired work.