The seeking and the discovery of what truly nourishes us is so often an inner path. And then to step out into the world with these longings to be seen, celebrated, held, and understood is a leap into mystery and grace and knowing. It’s a blustery predawn morning here. The winds are making the Southern Pines sway. Thank you for your voice, Jonathan. Thank you for the wise guidance and curious inquiries. Take care.
I soak in solitude every morning. Yes. Begin within. That’s my practice. Being a sensitive and an empath is a trip. And also, go out into the world. Take risks. Practice vulnerability. Create with curiosity. Seek teachers and jesters. Make yourself smile and then sprinkle that fairy dust everywhere. Nature always. And when the blustery winds come, wind surf! I did see the power was out in Boulder. Soak in some analog moments too. An invitation to be present. Have a beautiful morning, Jonathan.
Do I scratch it beyond the point I hurt myself (or others)?
And even then do I scratch some more?
My latest "want" is to consider how to drop the wanting.
To find a way not to pursue that next thing.
Is the desire for the goal "over there" sending me subconscious messages that the place I am today is not the place to be.
That here and now is not good enough. Even more, that I am not good enough.
What would happen though if one said they were good enough, as they are, today.
Would we lose our drive for improvement, would we become static, would we lose the lust and passion for life? Are we designed to strive? To reach, to challenge, to grow through stimulus?
Thank you Jonathan for the space and the prompt to consider.
Thankyou for your words Jonathan, I so needed to read this today! I know in my Soul these things make perfect sense to me & I feel like I already know this but have forgotten & I feel like I found you as a mentor who can remind me!
My daughter is a very wise Soul & gives me the proverbial kick up the bum when she sees me go horribly off course & she pulls me back, bless her. She encourages me to do shadow work.
I am so very lucky & grateful for the amazing people I have the privilege of connecting with & I thank you Jonathan for shining that light for me & so many others. I’m seeing my shadows & learning to love them too! Bless you!
Thank you for your perspective on wanting/longing, inspiring as ever. I hope I can share an additional thought on it.
What I learned to be helpful for wanting things that likely never happen is to acknowledge that, to say or write it out loud: “I long to …., even though it will/may never happen.” In my experience this acknowledgement provides some extra relieve, in accepting such facts of life.
These days, more and more texts are being published that are incredibly detailed and in-depth. This takes a lot of effort, and the results are not always clear, I suppose, so thank you! I found this exercise extremely helpful, and I discovered something entirely new: I have always struggled to share my feelings with others, but I realized that the things I long to do more are the ones that help me connect with the world. Through these activities, I can immerse myself in the experience and share the joy with others, because it’s less about me and more about the shared experience, which allows me to be much more open. I wonder if this is a good enough reason, but it feels right. So, I feel confident in stepping back from or delegating tasks that feel draining, and focusing more on the things that foster connection.
Thank you! Very helpful in thinking through what "wants" are truly important and how to spend less time dwelling on these when they may not achieve the more critical needs for daily living and satisfaction.
Jonathan, you are a voice of reason, so many of my wants are superficial and even if they were to be met, it would just be plasters on bleeding, infected wounds or pouring into bottomless holes. Thank you for helping me bring it back into focus. Bless you, thank you for arranging these words into such a beautiful and powerful message!
Health. Good health. As I enter my late 50s and have been infected every month with every virus going around and notice my muscles are there yet not as strong I begin to really think about my health. Will this body sustain me another 30 years? I am luckier than so many others yet I am not actively demonstrating this. I want health, good health, now the action must follow the words or wanting is only dreaming.
The seeking and the discovery of what truly nourishes us is so often an inner path. And then to step out into the world with these longings to be seen, celebrated, held, and understood is a leap into mystery and grace and knowing. It’s a blustery predawn morning here. The winds are making the Southern Pines sway. Thank you for your voice, Jonathan. Thank you for the wise guidance and curious inquiries. Take care.
So true, more and more I'm seeing the power of starting on the inside. And, we've got quite a windstorm blowing here in Boulder, today!
I soak in solitude every morning. Yes. Begin within. That’s my practice. Being a sensitive and an empath is a trip. And also, go out into the world. Take risks. Practice vulnerability. Create with curiosity. Seek teachers and jesters. Make yourself smile and then sprinkle that fairy dust everywhere. Nature always. And when the blustery winds come, wind surf! I did see the power was out in Boulder. Soak in some analog moments too. An invitation to be present. Have a beautiful morning, Jonathan.
The "itch of desire (or want)". Should I itch it?
Will it go after I've itched?
Do I scratch it beyond the point I hurt myself (or others)?
And even then do I scratch some more?
My latest "want" is to consider how to drop the wanting.
To find a way not to pursue that next thing.
Is the desire for the goal "over there" sending me subconscious messages that the place I am today is not the place to be.
That here and now is not good enough. Even more, that I am not good enough.
What would happen though if one said they were good enough, as they are, today.
Would we lose our drive for improvement, would we become static, would we lose the lust and passion for life? Are we designed to strive? To reach, to challenge, to grow through stimulus?
Thank you Jonathan for the space and the prompt to consider.
All interesting and important questions, Scott.
Thankyou for your words Jonathan, I so needed to read this today! I know in my Soul these things make perfect sense to me & I feel like I already know this but have forgotten & I feel like I found you as a mentor who can remind me!
My daughter is a very wise Soul & gives me the proverbial kick up the bum when she sees me go horribly off course & she pulls me back, bless her. She encourages me to do shadow work.
I am so very lucky & grateful for the amazing people I have the privilege of connecting with & I thank you Jonathan for shining that light for me & so many others. I’m seeing my shadows & learning to love them too! Bless you!
Amazing how our kids can become such pure reflections of how we're showing up, Helen. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your perspective on wanting/longing, inspiring as ever. I hope I can share an additional thought on it.
What I learned to be helpful for wanting things that likely never happen is to acknowledge that, to say or write it out loud: “I long to …., even though it will/may never happen.” In my experience this acknowledgement provides some extra relieve, in accepting such facts of life.
Looking forward to your next essay.
Appreciate that added acknowledgement, Siets, anything that adds ease to the process is welcome.
These days, more and more texts are being published that are incredibly detailed and in-depth. This takes a lot of effort, and the results are not always clear, I suppose, so thank you! I found this exercise extremely helpful, and I discovered something entirely new: I have always struggled to share my feelings with others, but I realized that the things I long to do more are the ones that help me connect with the world. Through these activities, I can immerse myself in the experience and share the joy with others, because it’s less about me and more about the shared experience, which allows me to be much more open. I wonder if this is a good enough reason, but it feels right. So, I feel confident in stepping back from or delegating tasks that feel draining, and focusing more on the things that foster connection.
Such a valuable insight the value of shared experience, Nicola. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! Very helpful in thinking through what "wants" are truly important and how to spend less time dwelling on these when they may not achieve the more critical needs for daily living and satisfaction.
So glad you found it helpful, Deb.
Maybe our younger little selves had it right all along—wanting to feel safe, happy, loved, embraced and alive might be the wisest desires of all.
Can't argue with any of that, Andrea.
hi old friend. just found you here and so thankful for your heart and mind. eager to keep reading on.
It's been way too long! So glad to be reconnected here. Let's catch up soon.
Jonathan, you are a voice of reason, so many of my wants are superficial and even if they were to be met, it would just be plasters on bleeding, infected wounds or pouring into bottomless holes. Thank you for helping me bring it back into focus. Bless you, thank you for arranging these words into such a beautiful and powerful message!
Thanks for the kind words, Samantha. Glad you found value in my words.
Worth wanting? Wise ask.
What’s worth working for as We?
Within, worldwide work.
"worldwide work," indeed, Marisol.
Health. Good health. As I enter my late 50s and have been infected every month with every virus going around and notice my muscles are there yet not as strong I begin to really think about my health. Will this body sustain me another 30 years? I am luckier than so many others yet I am not actively demonstrating this. I want health, good health, now the action must follow the words or wanting is only dreaming.