32 Comments
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Laura M.'s avatar

Your story was such an inspiration. I live somewhere between those two stories, often closer to the first one. It’s almost like we feel we have to get permission to dive below the surface of a scene. I am going to take these words with me and grant my own permission to open my eyes and heart. Thank you.

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Linda Zachariah's avatar

I feel the same way about living somewhere between the two stories, Laura. I’ll experiment with lingering longer and granting permission to look deeper. ❤️

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Sometimes love is in the lingering, Linda.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Such a great observation about that feeling of needing permission to dive below the surface, Laura.

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Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Behind the snapshots,

beyond the surface: story.

Ripe, worth exploring.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

always worth exploring.

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SD81's avatar

Beautiful! Oftentimes, the stories come to me instantaneously, but I like the advice to ponder and consider. Example: when you talked about the reflection...I was like "where's the reflection"? I was looking ahead, where he was looking. But you're so right, the rippling reflection holds its own beautiful story (behind, past, rooted, fading, etc.) and it's well worth exploring. Thank you.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So get that. I feel like, if we linger long enough, different stories come in waves (pardon the pun!)

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Ceci Miller's avatar

I love your thought of hanging this story beside the photo in a gallery showing! The image evoked tenderness even before reading Story #1. But that feeling deepened reading Story #2, bringing tears. My own work is poetry, and I include words of context with each one I post. Before reading this, I wondered if my words “about” the poem were obstructing the experience of the poem on its own. Your beautifully written piece changed my mind! Thank you for encouraging others to see and feel deeply, opening the place in us where true art lives.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Love you felt a sense of tenderness just from the image, Ceci. Truth is, I did, too, witnessing it on the beach, regardless of the story that might or might not have emerged. Totally get the tension between sharing your work, and sharing context, too. Especially when you work is poetry.

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Courtney Daniels's avatar

Interestingly, the photo of the dog is almost as poignant as story #2. His sweet but stalwart body, sitting there, facing away from us, communicates just such a story as the one you relay in example 2.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Love that you were so moved simply by the image, Courtney.

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Elena Brower's avatar

CHICO. Diego. my word. thank you...

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Gotta love stories about LOVE!

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Angelique Electra's avatar

So lovely Jonathan. Thanks for this Sunday morning treat.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So glad you enjoyed, Angelique.

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Scott aka CoachInnerThought's avatar

Beautiful, thoughtful post. Made me nostalgic for a song from my childhood about the inner story and dreams of someone going about their day and how we can notice.."they never let on, but I know cos they once told me" (Deacon Blue, Dignity)

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Love that it made elicited a bit of nostalia, Scott. Actually working on an essay about nostalgia now. Hope to share later in April. And, of course, I had to go find and listen to Deacon Blue!

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Scott aka CoachInnerThought's avatar

Oooh, can't wait to read the nostalgia writings. There has been a few movies that have been very nostalgic recently. Specifically where the passage of time from formative years of university days have been revisited. 2 examples are Bridget Jones and Trainspotting. The originals and now the latest or looking at where the characters are now. I recently watched One Day as well which is such an interesting look at time passing in life. (PS So glad you had a listen to Deacon Blue. A couple of very Scottish terms in the lyrics, just ask if you need any translations. Also my connection is I met the lead singer Ricky R in the carpark of a supermarket once. Very nice man)

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Scott aka CoachInnerThought's avatar

So sad. After writing this I've just learned of the death of Val Kilmer. It made me think of the nostalgia of watching the two Top Gun movies.

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Linda Hoenigsberg's avatar

Your words gave me an experience. They made me feel. They stopped me. Thank you.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So glad they made you feel, Linda. We all need more of that. Especially the good feels!

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Kate Harvey's avatar

I write with tears in my eyes - what a moving story. There is such huge depth around us that we can't possibly know. Beautiful human stories under every glance. Thank you for this! 🙏🏻

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So true, Kate. There is a depth around all of us that only reveals itself with patience and curiosity.

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Alex Keerie's avatar

Enjoyed the story and the invitation to stay in a moment and notice

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So glad you enjoyed it, Alex.

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KARA FUJI's avatar

Thank you for both stories and for posing the conundrum. The post has struck a spark on the flint of my heart.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Always my pleasure, Kara. And love that phrase, "struck a spark on the flint of my heart."

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Sarah's avatar

Lovely!

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Glad it resonated, Sarah.

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Ksusha's avatar

What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing! You such a deep thinker

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So glad you enjoyed the story, Ksusha! Every once in a while, I stumble upon creating something worth reading! ;-)

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