Tis the season to be jolly? Nothing like a stocking full of expectation to ashen anyone’s spirit. The reality of life is so much more complex than the holiday songs sing. So today, I want to extend arms of understanding—a simple acknowledgment that you are showing up for the theatrical production called Your Life. And maybe right now it feels like a ten act drama-tragicomedy-broadway musical. Or for others, a small, amateur community production. It doesn’t matter if you’ve forgotten your lines, if the stage is empty or if the audience went home early. Stand under the warmth of center stage and feel the billions of others doing the same—a galaxy of twinkling spotlights bound together by the immediacy of our stories. We each do our best to believe in the script, learn as we go, and give it our all until it’s time for curtain.So while you stand within the light of inquiry and the generous hearts who are here to listen, what did your character learn in 2023? Did it change how you operate day-to-day or blow your entire narrative to bits? How will you integrate this into the new year? I’d love to hear whatever you want to offer, the little or big, the practical or cosmic.
"a galaxy of twinkling spotlights bound together by the immediacy of our stories." -- nrggh-yes, this this.
It's been a year, for sure. I don't really understand how it's actually mid-December, but then I imagine I say that at this time every year.
I do enjoy pulling back and reflecting on things, though, and even in hardship it is useful to think of lives as a narrative (esp. as a character) with many branching possibilities and where they might lead. There are things that have gone to plan. There are things that have very much failed to go to plan. But, it's OK. My character learned a lot of new stuff, but perhaps the best thing it gained experience from is in writing, weekly, for the first time in my life. It's been an outlet, a joy, a creative nourishment that somehow I only came to understand in 2023.
Thanks for the reflective and motivating post, Kimberly.
We are all gifted by your newly established writing practice Nathan. I'm actually surprised to hear this is new for you... your ability to draw readers in and develop visceral, empathic characters is so real! I've so enjoyed getting to know your voice since I first subscribed. (And maybe I'm wrong but I think I feel your joy in the writing as well... that's a special bonus.) Wishing you a very chill, inspired holiday.
I have, for a number of years, wished to write. I had scrawled some things here and there and toyed with ideas and thought about a lot of stuff, but looking back on that I realise I wasn't truly writing, I was just wanting to write, whereas this year I've actually sat and committed myself to this practice and it's been an amazing learning experience and nothing else has given me the joy that I have found in this. So, that makes me happy if you feel some of that joy coming through. 🤗
"Stand under the warmth of center stage and feel the billions of others doing the same—a galaxy of twinkling spotlights bound together by the immediacy of our stories. We each do our best to believe in the script, learn as we go, and give it our all until it’s time for curtain." I like this! But not sure I believe in the script as much as make it up as I go along.
Well said Jeffrey, and I like your clarification. I, too, don't believe in some script that's already been written for us. (Though sometimes I think, What a relief if I did!) But believing in the one that I'm writing and editing myself as I go along, that's key for me. Some pages are easier to believe than others, for certain, but when I can get behind the narrative and say yes to whatever the hell lands on the page, then I can at least give it my all. Thanks for chiming in!
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve forgotten your lines, if the stage is empty or if the audience went home early. Stand under the warmth of center stage and feel the billions of others doing the same—a galaxy of twinkling spotlights bound together by the immediacy of our stories.” —- such beautiful words!
In 2023 I learnt that sharing my writing online was not as scary and terrible as I thought it was gonna be and that, in fact, it was actually quite the opposite.
What a sweet discovery Michael! I'm so glad it hasn't been "scary or terrible" because we are all being enriched by your sharing. Looking forward to what your bright mind and heart will share in 2024. :)
“I learned that when I muster up the courage to share my story, there are fascinating, kind, wickedly smart humans waiting to hold me in the sharing.” I learned that this year too! Mind. Blown. 🤯 Biggest thanks for being one of those brilliant humans...
2023 brought me more healing than any year so far. I found myself again in a purer version than I have seen in a long time. I took giant leaps - scary and uncomfortable ones - to get there and it feels so damn good. 2023 inspired me to find some of my old self-confidence but in a sturdier 47-year-old way. I consciously reframed my insecurities and took a new perspective on my life experiences thus far. My feelings are deeper, my love is bigger, and my awareness is broader. Hope abounds!!!!!
Jessie! What a treat to find you here—my soprano songbird. It would be fun to transport myself back to 1992 and relive one of Mr. Hyke's holiday performances with you.
Thank you for sharing. "I found myself again in a purer version than I have seen in a long time." What a profound experience... and it sounds like it didn't come without walking along the difficult, uncomfortable, sometimes roads-less-traveled. Welcome to an expanded perspective on your life and may it continue to expand into the love that you are, and always have been. Hugs to you dear one.
Hello -- I got here from subscribing to someone else and I like your query.
From my proposing there are things we-the-people could do to help this hurting world in the face of how dangerous it is not to act, I discovered I'm the sole cheerleader for action to be taken now. Analyses abound for what got is where we are, and utopian ideas for how we could be are plentiful, but I can't find anyone else talking about how to get from here to there. That little me has solutions to the world problematique that we should be talking about is astonishing but true.
"a galaxy of twinkling spotlights bound together by the immediacy of our stories." -- nrggh-yes, this this.
It's been a year, for sure. I don't really understand how it's actually mid-December, but then I imagine I say that at this time every year.
I do enjoy pulling back and reflecting on things, though, and even in hardship it is useful to think of lives as a narrative (esp. as a character) with many branching possibilities and where they might lead. There are things that have gone to plan. There are things that have very much failed to go to plan. But, it's OK. My character learned a lot of new stuff, but perhaps the best thing it gained experience from is in writing, weekly, for the first time in my life. It's been an outlet, a joy, a creative nourishment that somehow I only came to understand in 2023.
Thanks for the reflective and motivating post, Kimberly.
We are all gifted by your newly established writing practice Nathan. I'm actually surprised to hear this is new for you... your ability to draw readers in and develop visceral, empathic characters is so real! I've so enjoyed getting to know your voice since I first subscribed. (And maybe I'm wrong but I think I feel your joy in the writing as well... that's a special bonus.) Wishing you a very chill, inspired holiday.
Aw, thank you Kimberley. I wish you the same.
I have, for a number of years, wished to write. I had scrawled some things here and there and toyed with ideas and thought about a lot of stuff, but looking back on that I realise I wasn't truly writing, I was just wanting to write, whereas this year I've actually sat and committed myself to this practice and it's been an amazing learning experience and nothing else has given me the joy that I have found in this. So, that makes me happy if you feel some of that joy coming through. 🤗
Congratulations on developing a writing practice that nourishes you!
Beautiful
"Stand under the warmth of center stage and feel the billions of others doing the same—a galaxy of twinkling spotlights bound together by the immediacy of our stories. We each do our best to believe in the script, learn as we go, and give it our all until it’s time for curtain." I like this! But not sure I believe in the script as much as make it up as I go along.
Well said Jeffrey, and I like your clarification. I, too, don't believe in some script that's already been written for us. (Though sometimes I think, What a relief if I did!) But believing in the one that I'm writing and editing myself as I go along, that's key for me. Some pages are easier to believe than others, for certain, but when I can get behind the narrative and say yes to whatever the hell lands on the page, then I can at least give it my all. Thanks for chiming in!
Kimberly, this was wonderful!
I absolutely loved this bit:
“It doesn’t matter if you’ve forgotten your lines, if the stage is empty or if the audience went home early. Stand under the warmth of center stage and feel the billions of others doing the same—a galaxy of twinkling spotlights bound together by the immediacy of our stories.” —- such beautiful words!
In 2023 I learnt that sharing my writing online was not as scary and terrible as I thought it was gonna be and that, in fact, it was actually quite the opposite.
Thanks Kimberly. :)
What a sweet discovery Michael! I'm so glad it hasn't been "scary or terrible" because we are all being enriched by your sharing. Looking forward to what your bright mind and heart will share in 2024. :)
Thank you, Kimberly. And right back you :)
“I learned that when I muster up the courage to share my story, there are fascinating, kind, wickedly smart humans waiting to hold me in the sharing.” I learned that this year too! Mind. Blown. 🤯 Biggest thanks for being one of those brilliant humans...
BEST.EMOJI.EVER. Love you sister.
Love you x
2023 brought me more healing than any year so far. I found myself again in a purer version than I have seen in a long time. I took giant leaps - scary and uncomfortable ones - to get there and it feels so damn good. 2023 inspired me to find some of my old self-confidence but in a sturdier 47-year-old way. I consciously reframed my insecurities and took a new perspective on my life experiences thus far. My feelings are deeper, my love is bigger, and my awareness is broader. Hope abounds!!!!!
Jessie! What a treat to find you here—my soprano songbird. It would be fun to transport myself back to 1992 and relive one of Mr. Hyke's holiday performances with you.
Thank you for sharing. "I found myself again in a purer version than I have seen in a long time." What a profound experience... and it sounds like it didn't come without walking along the difficult, uncomfortable, sometimes roads-less-traveled. Welcome to an expanded perspective on your life and may it continue to expand into the love that you are, and always have been. Hugs to you dear one.
Another funny song for you.
The Blue Martini and the Belly Dancer
https://youtu.be/1zqaEuLeLaY?si=mkqFdjZi6wUZQiVr
I was walking in Delray one night when I heard a cool guitar
I followed that music to its source it was coming from the Blues End Bar
It wasn’t hard detective work, it’s a quiet part of town
And I can’t resist the wine and song so I entered and sat down
They serve something called the purple drink and a blue martini too
Course I never stop to think and I poured down quite a few
The floor began to shift a bit and the room began to spin
Then the belly dancer took the stage and I was all done in
She swayed her arms and legs and hips and through my wild blue haze
She looked into my very heart and set my soul ablaze
I got caught up in the magic like a moth around a flame,
And since the blue martini and the belly dancer
I haven’t been the same
The rest of the night was just a blur I was lost somewhere in space
My ears rang like cathedral bells and I couldn’t feel my face
Something about a sidewalk and a man called “Bouncer Bill”
And a whole lot more I can’t recall and I doubt I ever will
I don’t have a message or a moral for this tale
But the noonday sun don’t shine as bright and the colors all seem pale
My brain does overheat some, bet I burnt some brain that night
And my legs start shaking something fierce when I recall that sight
She swayed her arms and legs and hips and through my wild blue haze
She looked into my very heart and set my soul ablaze
I got caught up in the magic like a moth around a flame,
And since the blue martini and the belly dancer
I haven’t been the same
Beware the purple drink and blue martini Malcom. ;)
Glad you liked it.
I'll send another funny in a week if you like. I am also on most streaming sites, YouTube pandora Spotify etc
Be well
Learned that nothing is worth getting angry about.
Impermanence; non attachment; and Transciency 🫶
Well now those are some huge lessons. I look forward to feeling/reading/experiencing those lessons in all your write in 2024 and beyond. ;)
Hello -- I got here from subscribing to someone else and I like your query.
From my proposing there are things we-the-people could do to help this hurting world in the face of how dangerous it is not to act, I discovered I'm the sole cheerleader for action to be taken now. Analyses abound for what got is where we are, and utopian ideas for how we could be are plentiful, but I can't find anyone else talking about how to get from here to there. That little me has solutions to the world problematique that we should be talking about is astonishing but true.