Empathy is the heart and soul of good listening. Listening. Or actually not listening. I attempted to communicate with two people this past week. I was heard by both of them but I wasn’t listened to. Hearing is simply perceiving
6 July 2019 – Triggers
What triggers me? I felt excluded I felt powerless I felt unheard I felt scolded I felt judged I felt blamed I felt disrespected I felt a lack of affection I felt uncared for I felt lonely I felt ignored
23 June 2019 – Typewriter Girl
Back in early ’81 when I first got into recovery, I boo–hoo’d to a very wise woman about the latest in my then disastrous choices in relationships. I was following her around as she cleaned her house. I whined
3 June 2019 – Portico
Portico I love that word. I love the way it looks written. I love the way it rolls in my mouth as I say it. It looks a little mysterious, from the Latin word ‘porta,’ meaning gate. It’s the porch
30 May 2019 – Self-care
Last Saturday we went up to the City for the Monet exhibit. We got peeled off going to Boudin’s for a corner piece of focaccia, then on to Schubert’s Bakery for a pear tart and of course some dim
20 May 2019 – (not) a Bucket List
I finished my first draft of Walkerville Desires Book Seven last August 2018. I’ve looked at, re-read, added to, and edited the draft a little bit since then. Since mid-May I’ve been working on it seriously. In the intervening months,
9 May 2019 – Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity
Earlier, I listened to Gustav Holst, The Planets, Full Suite. I paid particular attention to Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity. The music gets giddy, then runs forward, bringing hope, light, love. The movement is BIG, it’s curious, full hearted and
27 April 2019 – My version of joining the circus
Having spent my preadolescence living in Southwest France, I returned to the States with a deep regard that the world was bigger than people wanted to believe. I knew there were different cultures, language, foods, and points of view. I
22 April 2019 – Life Moves On
I had a down day a few months ago and was dialing numbers; I didn’t leave any voicemails. Someone picked up finally and I spoke with her. She was ecstatic, honored, euphoric, and excited that I had called. She listened
12 April 2019 – Naming
As you know names are significant for me. (See 14 February 2019 – What’s in a name?) I work hard at remembering someone’s name correctly, and have asked for the spelling so I can ‘see’ it in my mind’s eye.