I want to thank my students and friends for their deep care and honesty in asking, again and again, “What are we to do now?” Out of these conversations, I was able to gather this in-depth set of reflections.
This is the homily/ reflection/ midrash I and we need in this moment. Would you record it as well. I want everyone to hear it in your voice, to be able to play it washing dishes, looking at the sunset, walking the dog, pulling weeds - going about everyday life with a voice of compassion and wisdom rather than the endless podcasts of doom. If you don't want to do this i volunteer to do it for you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Mark, so many sentences to learn by heart, to live. Sharing this piercing, beautiful writing with others as well. The stories with deep sorrow and deep love holding hands on the edge of who we are. Love spills over alongside tears. An inspiration to practice, today and today and today. Thank you!!!
Vicki sent me and I thank her, as I wipe away the tears pouring down my face. Thank YOU, Mark, for these images that I can carry with me as I make my own offerings of rice to the hungry. That riderless horse showing the way, then bearing a gift... Oh yes.
I survived many dark days of cancer by passing your words back and forth with my beloved elder friend Joe, who flew away unexpectedly in surgery last March. “here’s another gem from MN,” he would text, “for you, my dear river companion.” Now I have the image of these words, your poems, as a riderless horse with a gift. Because of both our medical conditions, we could not visit in person very often- maybe 2x in 4 years but we shared your words and other poets and songs every day. I am miraculously still alive, and heading to walk the Way of st James tomorrow in gratitude for this unexpected miracle- which I know that you know deeply and intimately yourself. To come back into the world when you have prepared to leave it is a somewhat rare gift. With deep gratitude and reverence for you perseverance and being of use with your journey. Lydia
I was recently reminded about how one tiny pebble thrown into a pond results in a multitude of ripples and how one random act of kindness also creates energetic ripples of love and healing. Thank you Mark, for this deep, insightful and heart driven post. I have no doubt the ripples will be far reaching.
I completely agree with the suggestion to record this! I know it likely doubles the time and effort to record your voice reading your pieces, but I bet it would significantly increase viewership, probably within minutes of releasing the recording. I always listen to Liz Gilbert and Sarah Blondin’s Substacks religiously because I can enjoy them while driving, resting during a migraine, or engaging in activities like painting or gardening. I would love to hear your words read aloud! However, I was able to read this one, and it is truly unforgettable. It was just what I needed to hear! You have an incredible gift, and by sharing your words with all of us, you are making a difference. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
Has life ever felt like you are stuck waist deep in the heaviest stickiest swampish sludge? Even the slightest effort to move requires energy that you don’t have because you feel drained. Or you can’t seem to catch your breathe because you are too anxious or on the verge of panic because there seems like no way out? Are these feelings keeping you from the life that you really want? Or the voice in your head telling you that you will never be good enough, that nothing will change, or that you are at the mercy of circumstances beyond your control?https://paintopossibilities.substack.com/p/crawling-out-of-the-sludge
It is Laughable to think that Animals are not Sentient when a Killer Whale has long been baiting Birds with a Tiny fish and a full grown adult Blonde Human Male with 2 children and one on the way cannot cook Kraft Dinner even after been shown how 3 Times.
Teach a Man to Fish? Thank -You Animals we learned from You ☮️
This is the homily/ reflection/ midrash I and we need in this moment. Would you record it as well. I want everyone to hear it in your voice, to be able to play it washing dishes, looking at the sunset, walking the dog, pulling weeds - going about everyday life with a voice of compassion and wisdom rather than the endless podcasts of doom. If you don't want to do this i volunteer to do it for you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Mark, so many sentences to learn by heart, to live. Sharing this piercing, beautiful writing with others as well. The stories with deep sorrow and deep love holding hands on the edge of who we are. Love spills over alongside tears. An inspiration to practice, today and today and today. Thank you!!!
Thank you. A deep and grateful bow. 🙏
I am so grateful for this Bible if the Heart, it becomes a source for all of life.
The child, in the well.
To remake humanity,
our rivers must merge.
,,,
Heart literacy
trumps ignorance, hatred, greed.
Transforms burnt wisdom.
Vicki sent me and I thank her, as I wipe away the tears pouring down my face. Thank YOU, Mark, for these images that I can carry with me as I make my own offerings of rice to the hungry. That riderless horse showing the way, then bearing a gift... Oh yes.
I will sit with these reflections humbly, honestly and reverently. Thank you.
I survived many dark days of cancer by passing your words back and forth with my beloved elder friend Joe, who flew away unexpectedly in surgery last March. “here’s another gem from MN,” he would text, “for you, my dear river companion.” Now I have the image of these words, your poems, as a riderless horse with a gift. Because of both our medical conditions, we could not visit in person very often- maybe 2x in 4 years but we shared your words and other poets and songs every day. I am miraculously still alive, and heading to walk the Way of st James tomorrow in gratitude for this unexpected miracle- which I know that you know deeply and intimately yourself. To come back into the world when you have prepared to leave it is a somewhat rare gift. With deep gratitude and reverence for you perseverance and being of use with your journey. Lydia
I was recently reminded about how one tiny pebble thrown into a pond results in a multitude of ripples and how one random act of kindness also creates energetic ripples of love and healing. Thank you Mark, for this deep, insightful and heart driven post. I have no doubt the ripples will be far reaching.
I completely agree with the suggestion to record this! I know it likely doubles the time and effort to record your voice reading your pieces, but I bet it would significantly increase viewership, probably within minutes of releasing the recording. I always listen to Liz Gilbert and Sarah Blondin’s Substacks religiously because I can enjoy them while driving, resting during a migraine, or engaging in activities like painting or gardening. I would love to hear your words read aloud! However, I was able to read this one, and it is truly unforgettable. It was just what I needed to hear! You have an incredible gift, and by sharing your words with all of us, you are making a difference. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
Has life ever felt like you are stuck waist deep in the heaviest stickiest swampish sludge? Even the slightest effort to move requires energy that you don’t have because you feel drained. Or you can’t seem to catch your breathe because you are too anxious or on the verge of panic because there seems like no way out? Are these feelings keeping you from the life that you really want? Or the voice in your head telling you that you will never be good enough, that nothing will change, or that you are at the mercy of circumstances beyond your control?https://paintopossibilities.substack.com/p/crawling-out-of-the-sludge
Thank you Mark. Your words have always brought me comfort.
Mark, Thank you for this exquisite writing, for the mending bits of my heart, my soul. Blessed Be. 💜
It is Laughable to think that Animals are not Sentient when a Killer Whale has long been baiting Birds with a Tiny fish and a full grown adult Blonde Human Male with 2 children and one on the way cannot cook Kraft Dinner even after been shown how 3 Times.
Teach a Man to Fish? Thank -You Animals we learned from You ☮️
Beautiful, thank you for these brilliant diamonds.
Oh how sad! Too sad!