I love this: "Perhaps the most compelling part of being an “independent writer” is that we are “knowable” … human … brilliant and flawed … sharing our stories of triumphs and tragedies … revealing our inner wisdom along side our all-too-visible blind spots."
I have always believed that it is when someone shows us their soft underbelly that we grow to love them, flaws and all.
Thanks for the shout out. I didn't know you had mentioned me, and as I was reading along, I stopped... Wait, who dat? Dat me!!! :) 💕
I apologize for how long-winded this is, due to being triggered. Amanda struck a chord... but not the same one as strikes her fans. In fact, after listening to her for as long as I could stand, it's the opposite. There's a whole genre of angsty songwriters and poets out there, and there always will be. There's truth in what they say - but I guess what turns me off is that they make it about them and I feel held hostage and drained by their angst ad infinitum. I'm left feeling like an unwilling voyeur tied to a chair and forced to watch and listen. I can shut my eyes but not plug my ears. I'm not a fan, nor will be.
There is a whole genre of humorless navel-gazing conceptual artists who are overly serious and precious about their personal pain - they were legion in the 1960s and 70s- and it goes with the territory of youth; particularly American youth - a country that has so much and yet leaves its people empty, like hungry ghosts.
It's courageous to say what's wrong with the world - that needs to be said and people need to wake up to it and stop looking away or self-soothing or worse, waiting for some savior to come along and fix it without taking any personal responsibility, because that's how autocrats happen.
It's just as important, though, to see what's still right with the world - like those women in Cheran who love their forests so much that they risked their lives in facing down the drug cartel - and they and their community are still are at risk every day.
I probably should learn Amanda's life story. That would at least afford clues as to why she chose this way to express herself. Being a mess is something to feel self-compassion about, yes - but not to celebrate or capitalize on, IMO.
We can live well in any moment. Even in poverty and misery, we still can have the victories of being present and aware in the moment, of stretching out a hand to someone or some creature in need of it. We can Live. Love, Appreciate. It's the one thing left to us - it's our birthright and our freedom.
Just keep doing you. I don't know what to say about writing and money and for that matter, art and money. We all have to choose what to do with our self expression. I'd rather do giveaway than sell. Money just is not that important to me; it's only one form of energy exchange. I wish all artists and writers and musicians and anyone in the arts could make ends meet in doing their art and expression, because those are courageous acts. In a better society, the arts would be valued more and we would all have enough to eat and a roof over our heads.
All this is a too-long way of saying I wish I could give you money to support your writing because you inspire me, give things to think about, and you give hope, whatever befalls mankind and the planet - without dodging the harder questions. You ask the right questions and push yourself to grow. You strike a balance between vulnerability and courage and, as your substack name says, gratitude. If you were all just about 'the light,' and 'only sunshine all the time,' I would have left off reading here long ago and been repelled. The toxic positivity folks turns me off just as much as the toxic negativity folks. You offer the balance and authenticity that speaks to me.
Wow ... thank you. You've given me a great deal to think about. Toxic negativity ... heart break sells. Fear sells. But those things don't help us grow.
I am basking in your comments and taking them as the intention statement I want to live up to:
You strike a balance between vulnerability and courage and, as your substack name says, gratitude. You offer the balance and authenticity that speaks to me..
Please don't ever worry about money. Your words are the payment my heart needs.
"when we really see each other, we want to help each other.” powerful in everything we do or say. I'm reading Reclaiming our Democracy by Sam Dailey-Harris. Full of stories and efforts to influence letting others know who we are and why we are asking..Great article Joyce,
Thanks, Barbara ... I like this comment from his book blurb: "But activist and author Sam Daley-Harris has helped thousands of ordinary citizens transform from hopeless bystanders to powerful advocates." That's powerful.
The following two quotes from Amanda really resonated with me and the goals of my substack -
“when we really see each other, we want to help each other.”
“about our work and our art, and our fears and our hangovers and our mistakes. We see each other, and I think, when we really see each other, we want to help each other.“
Thanks for introducing Amanda to us out here in left field.
I love this: "Perhaps the most compelling part of being an “independent writer” is that we are “knowable” … human … brilliant and flawed … sharing our stories of triumphs and tragedies … revealing our inner wisdom along side our all-too-visible blind spots."
I have always believed that it is when someone shows us their soft underbelly that we grow to love them, flaws and all.
Thanks for the shout out. I didn't know you had mentioned me, and as I was reading along, I stopped... Wait, who dat? Dat me!!! :) 💕
Fear not. Place your fingers on the keyboard, where mine await you, and we will connect.
I apologize for how long-winded this is, due to being triggered. Amanda struck a chord... but not the same one as strikes her fans. In fact, after listening to her for as long as I could stand, it's the opposite. There's a whole genre of angsty songwriters and poets out there, and there always will be. There's truth in what they say - but I guess what turns me off is that they make it about them and I feel held hostage and drained by their angst ad infinitum. I'm left feeling like an unwilling voyeur tied to a chair and forced to watch and listen. I can shut my eyes but not plug my ears. I'm not a fan, nor will be.
There is a whole genre of humorless navel-gazing conceptual artists who are overly serious and precious about their personal pain - they were legion in the 1960s and 70s- and it goes with the territory of youth; particularly American youth - a country that has so much and yet leaves its people empty, like hungry ghosts.
It's courageous to say what's wrong with the world - that needs to be said and people need to wake up to it and stop looking away or self-soothing or worse, waiting for some savior to come along and fix it without taking any personal responsibility, because that's how autocrats happen.
It's just as important, though, to see what's still right with the world - like those women in Cheran who love their forests so much that they risked their lives in facing down the drug cartel - and they and their community are still are at risk every day.
I probably should learn Amanda's life story. That would at least afford clues as to why she chose this way to express herself. Being a mess is something to feel self-compassion about, yes - but not to celebrate or capitalize on, IMO.
We can live well in any moment. Even in poverty and misery, we still can have the victories of being present and aware in the moment, of stretching out a hand to someone or some creature in need of it. We can Live. Love, Appreciate. It's the one thing left to us - it's our birthright and our freedom.
Just keep doing you. I don't know what to say about writing and money and for that matter, art and money. We all have to choose what to do with our self expression. I'd rather do giveaway than sell. Money just is not that important to me; it's only one form of energy exchange. I wish all artists and writers and musicians and anyone in the arts could make ends meet in doing their art and expression, because those are courageous acts. In a better society, the arts would be valued more and we would all have enough to eat and a roof over our heads.
All this is a too-long way of saying I wish I could give you money to support your writing because you inspire me, give things to think about, and you give hope, whatever befalls mankind and the planet - without dodging the harder questions. You ask the right questions and push yourself to grow. You strike a balance between vulnerability and courage and, as your substack name says, gratitude. If you were all just about 'the light,' and 'only sunshine all the time,' I would have left off reading here long ago and been repelled. The toxic positivity folks turns me off just as much as the toxic negativity folks. You offer the balance and authenticity that speaks to me.
Wow ... thank you. You've given me a great deal to think about. Toxic negativity ... heart break sells. Fear sells. But those things don't help us grow.
I am basking in your comments and taking them as the intention statement I want to live up to:
You strike a balance between vulnerability and courage and, as your substack name says, gratitude. You offer the balance and authenticity that speaks to me..
Please don't ever worry about money. Your words are the payment my heart needs.
"when we really see each other, we want to help each other.” powerful in everything we do or say. I'm reading Reclaiming our Democracy by Sam Dailey-Harris. Full of stories and efforts to influence letting others know who we are and why we are asking..Great article Joyce,
Thanks, Barbara ... I like this comment from his book blurb: "But activist and author Sam Daley-Harris has helped thousands of ordinary citizens transform from hopeless bystanders to powerful advocates." That's powerful.
The following two quotes from Amanda really resonated with me and the goals of my substack -
“when we really see each other, we want to help each other.”
“about our work and our art, and our fears and our hangovers and our mistakes. We see each other, and I think, when we really see each other, we want to help each other.“
Thanks for introducing Amanda to us out here in left field.
Glad you enjoyed her!