ha ha, yes, thank you James. I was not glad in the moment, but am very glad now. I have this experience not infrequently where I am trying to make a piece of writing work and it takes me a while to see/feel that an inner shift needs to occur to line up with what is needed. I maintain that writing is a spectacular frame for the work on self, for self-observation and navigating by heart.
“A Spectacular Frame” is a compelling title to a piece where you could expand on the work on oneself. I completely concur and discover aspects of myself every time I pick up a pen.
This is as lovely as the heart your daughter carved. Congrats on your 100!! That is a big achievement. This story is wonderful, and I especially smiled at the donkey therapy.
Thanks Genie. You're helping to keep Substack populated with a very rich and diverse field of topics. And I'm sure you're only going to keep things spiced up here with what your bringing next.
Thank you for sharing this story and for the incredible community building you do. I am personally grateful for your “no silent appreciation” policy ◡̈
Congrats on 100 stories, that is quite a feat! Looking forward to the next hundred.
Thanks Rachel. It's kind of like having a good marriage. If after a decade you look forward to the next one with your partner you know you're in the right place. Since I'm looking forward to another 100 I must be on to something. And that's something IS community.
Congrats and Happy Birthday!! The big milestones are the hardest to write for because of exactly what you said. I appreciate how you show up for people online. I’ve heard other people comment on it and share how much that appreciate that you show up in their comments.
Thanks Michelle. It's so hard know because there are many many people I'd love to be commenting on and have literally reached the maximum of how much I can read and respond to in the scheme of things. But hopefully this can become more of a movement and we can all do the work of generosity together. You are certainly another pillar of the kind and generous feedback movement. Thank you for being you.
I empathize, for a while I tried to comment on everything, then nothing, then now I’m trying to at least say something to acknowledge I’ve read and enjoyed something. Which is why I really appreciate the time and care that goes into each one. I like the idea that if we’re all doing it, the love is more easily spread to everyone.
I love this. I have been perplexed by how many people have told me in person that they read or liked a piece but have left no fingerprints along the way to commemorate their reading. I’ve been guilty of the same but vow to no longer be.
Love your commitment to lean into this practice Rena. It just takes a little effort to start thinking and writing this way, as a response to others rather than a passive consumer. Thank you for this comment and joining the ranks of appreciators.
Rick... what a wonderful photo and story you share here. I love the hand carved frame that will touch you every time you look at it.
Your "No Silent Appreciation" idea has spread far and wide- and we in the Write Hearted community benefit from it daily. Thank you for creating the community you've called out so far... may it continue to grow and flourish.
Enjoyed the "visit" with your beautiful family by your shared photo and you said a lot in few words. The frame is simply amazing. So much love in that gift.
Thank you, again, Rick. And I DO appreciate how much you comment on my posts. Very much so. I receive email comments, too, so I know I am getting out there with my subscribers, AND, I love it when I hear from you.
Meanwhile, I have completely loved this post. My favorite two paragraphs are:
"What I love about the commenting practice is that it requires connecting with life as it is. Life itself is a conversation in progress that is always inviting us to dialogue. Writing is an extension of that conversation, and if we’re aligning with it, the words flow in response.
If I’m stuck with a story to tell, it’s because I’ve rushed past the truth, as though I need to conjure up something bigger than life to find beauty and meaning. But in the end, I’m almost always brought back to the opposite. It’s what’s right in front of me—a memory, an experience, a joy, a point of creative friction that deserves attention."
The kind, thoughtful words you’ve left on many of my posts always brightens my day and encourages me to be a better cheerleader for others. Congrats on 100 stories, Rick!
Thank you Terri. And thank you for reading and still hanging out here, even though you're not publishing on Substack any longer. Solopreneurs need you. https://terrilonier.kit.com/profile/posts
What lovely thoughts and flow, Rick. I especially loved "Life itself is a conversation in progress that is always inviting us to dialogue." Dialoguing with life has become standard fare for me, but I didn't grow up that way. Dialogue is so much easier than trying to control something that just can't be controlled!
Gosh yes. The universe is built on signal and response isn't it? It has likewise taken me a long time to let go into the conversational stream and trust where it leads. Thanks for jumping into the river here.
You're so very welcome, Rick. I thought your piece was very good advice, and I'll be trying to join in. I've got the introvert thing going for me too, so it's super easy to just get focused and forget about relating... :)
Feels blatantly criminal to be moved reading this and not comment. Not entirely sure what I’d like to say, but I loved when you said “life itself is a conversation”. Your dialogue made it into my life’s conversation today, and I guess I just wanted to say thank you. Oh, and happy belated birthday!
You have now made my day Jace, just by taking the time to find out what you wanted to say. I find this is the way with commenting, it leads you to new places and conversations you would not have discovered had you insisted on knowing beforehand where you were headed with it. Imagine refusing to go on a first date unless you had figured out everything you were going to communicate in advance. Or a job interview. Or a night out with a friend. This conversational process is magical and I'm grateful you stepped into the stream.
Thanks for joining the ranks of appreciators Ivan with your comment here. May you enjoy all sorts of fabulous connections and discoveries, with others and with your own thoughts, by leaving comments.
Rick, we are are glad you hit writers block on the 3rd draft of the other piece. This essay honoring 100 was so perfect. As was this ending:
“It takes some work to carve a heart into wood by hand. And it takes some stories to leave an indelible mark of beauty on our soul.
May your true stories find you.”
ha ha, yes, thank you James. I was not glad in the moment, but am very glad now. I have this experience not infrequently where I am trying to make a piece of writing work and it takes me a while to see/feel that an inner shift needs to occur to line up with what is needed. I maintain that writing is a spectacular frame for the work on self, for self-observation and navigating by heart.
“A Spectacular Frame” is a compelling title to a piece where you could expand on the work on oneself. I completely concur and discover aspects of myself every time I pick up a pen.
Thank you Rick.
This is as lovely as the heart your daughter carved. Congrats on your 100!! That is a big achievement. This story is wonderful, and I especially smiled at the donkey therapy.
Thanks Genie. You're helping to keep Substack populated with a very rich and diverse field of topics. And I'm sure you're only going to keep things spiced up here with what your bringing next.
Thank you for sharing this story and for the incredible community building you do. I am personally grateful for your “no silent appreciation” policy ◡̈
Congrats on 100 stories, that is quite a feat! Looking forward to the next hundred.
Thanks Rachel. It's kind of like having a good marriage. If after a decade you look forward to the next one with your partner you know you're in the right place. Since I'm looking forward to another 100 I must be on to something. And that's something IS community.
Congrats on both milestones (100 *and* 64)!
You're an inspiration to so many.
Thank you Larry for your consistent support.
Congrats and Happy Birthday!! The big milestones are the hardest to write for because of exactly what you said. I appreciate how you show up for people online. I’ve heard other people comment on it and share how much that appreciate that you show up in their comments.
Thanks Michelle. It's so hard know because there are many many people I'd love to be commenting on and have literally reached the maximum of how much I can read and respond to in the scheme of things. But hopefully this can become more of a movement and we can all do the work of generosity together. You are certainly another pillar of the kind and generous feedback movement. Thank you for being you.
I empathize, for a while I tried to comment on everything, then nothing, then now I’m trying to at least say something to acknowledge I’ve read and enjoyed something. Which is why I really appreciate the time and care that goes into each one. I like the idea that if we’re all doing it, the love is more easily spread to everyone.
Are you still writing somewhere Michelle? Your own pieces I mean?
I love this. I have been perplexed by how many people have told me in person that they read or liked a piece but have left no fingerprints along the way to commemorate their reading. I’ve been guilty of the same but vow to no longer be.
Love your commitment to lean into this practice Rena. It just takes a little effort to start thinking and writing this way, as a response to others rather than a passive consumer. Thank you for this comment and joining the ranks of appreciators.
Rick... what a wonderful photo and story you share here. I love the hand carved frame that will touch you every time you look at it.
Your "No Silent Appreciation" idea has spread far and wide- and we in the Write Hearted community benefit from it daily. Thank you for creating the community you've called out so far... may it continue to grow and flourish.
I'm very grateful for your kind wish and words of encouragement. Thank you Linda.
Enjoyed the "visit" with your beautiful family by your shared photo and you said a lot in few words. The frame is simply amazing. So much love in that gift.
Thanks Vicki. Next Saturday we'll have another open story gym if you're able to join us. Would love to hear your own experiences again.
This is probably the best advice I’ve read in 6 months on Substack. I appreciate it. Thanks.
Thanks for putting the advice directly into action Larry! That says something about you.
Thank you, again, Rick. And I DO appreciate how much you comment on my posts. Very much so. I receive email comments, too, so I know I am getting out there with my subscribers, AND, I love it when I hear from you.
Meanwhile, I have completely loved this post. My favorite two paragraphs are:
"What I love about the commenting practice is that it requires connecting with life as it is. Life itself is a conversation in progress that is always inviting us to dialogue. Writing is an extension of that conversation, and if we’re aligning with it, the words flow in response.
If I’m stuck with a story to tell, it’s because I’ve rushed past the truth, as though I need to conjure up something bigger than life to find beauty and meaning. But in the end, I’m almost always brought back to the opposite. It’s what’s right in front of me—a memory, an experience, a joy, a point of creative friction that deserves attention."
That speaks the sweet spot. Thank you.
Life, I am sure, is delighted by the conversation you keep having with it. : ) and the conversations you invite others to explore.
Thank you.
The kind, thoughtful words you’ve left on many of my posts always brightens my day and encourages me to be a better cheerleader for others. Congrats on 100 stories, Rick!
Thank you Emily. It's such a simple practice that's like tossing pebbles into the pond. The ripples keep spreading.
Such a great photo and beautiful frame. Perfect 100th story.
Thanks Kathy.
Full cheering and appreciation for your 100 issues, Rick — and for showing us the value and impact of comments generously given. 👏👏
Thank you Terri. And thank you for reading and still hanging out here, even though you're not publishing on Substack any longer. Solopreneurs need you. https://terrilonier.kit.com/profile/posts
What lovely thoughts and flow, Rick. I especially loved "Life itself is a conversation in progress that is always inviting us to dialogue." Dialoguing with life has become standard fare for me, but I didn't grow up that way. Dialogue is so much easier than trying to control something that just can't be controlled!
Gosh yes. The universe is built on signal and response isn't it? It has likewise taken me a long time to let go into the conversational stream and trust where it leads. Thanks for jumping into the river here.
Interesting choice of wording. Signal and response. Dance and sway. Hum and sing. Rock-a-bye baby. So much relaxing.
Thank you for the invitation! The water seems super fine!
Kind of you Lisa to join in. Thanks for the words of support.
You're so very welcome, Rick. I thought your piece was very good advice, and I'll be trying to join in. I've got the introvert thing going for me too, so it's super easy to just get focused and forget about relating... :)
: )
Feels blatantly criminal to be moved reading this and not comment. Not entirely sure what I’d like to say, but I loved when you said “life itself is a conversation”. Your dialogue made it into my life’s conversation today, and I guess I just wanted to say thank you. Oh, and happy belated birthday!
You have now made my day Jace, just by taking the time to find out what you wanted to say. I find this is the way with commenting, it leads you to new places and conversations you would not have discovered had you insisted on knowing beforehand where you were headed with it. Imagine refusing to go on a first date unless you had figured out everything you were going to communicate in advance. Or a job interview. Or a night out with a friend. This conversational process is magical and I'm grateful you stepped into the stream.
Needed to read this! Its been very silent on my side but this gives me a totally different way to approach this part of the process!
Congratulations and thanks Rick 🙏🏾
No silent appreciation anymore!
Thanks for joining the ranks of appreciators Ivan with your comment here. May you enjoy all sorts of fabulous connections and discoveries, with others and with your own thoughts, by leaving comments.