An important and thought provoking 200th edition, thank you. Sad news on another school shooting, such violent madness.
Christmas can be a really challenging time for many ❤️🩹 I ‘ve had some really sad and lonely Christmas’s in the past , but now have no expectations on how a perfect Christmas should be.
I think THAT’s the exact secret—to let go of expectations and not care how anything turns out. Just allow reality to happen while you participate in each moment. And bring your best game to it. Then…comes the next moment. Repeat.
We adults can get so wrapped up in our own holiday drama that we forget our kids are always watching us, always learning from us, and always absorbing into their own bodies the energy we give off.
Wise words and thoughts, you must be such a great influence on the young and the old 😂 Thank You
When I reflect on my parenting, it would be so different with these insights and learnings. But at the time i was doing the best with what I had and knew .
Thanks for sharing. This brings to mind an old Buddhist teaching that goes something like, 'Create an island for yourself; be your own refuge.' It’s a concept that might be challenging to fully grasp depending on one’s age or life stage, but it’s definitely worth reflecting on.
YES!!! I think, in fact, that is the only way one fully realizes refuge. One can be in a sanctuary, but what is happening inside oneself has to settle (or be release completely) for true refuge to emerge. At least the kind of refuge we are talking about here. That’s why we needed to teach our students how to manage better their emotions so that they could best benefit from the sanctuary of school we were providing for them.
I’m really going to see if I can find out how many firearms were bought as gifts. Might be impossible to track given regulations of gun ownership—so might have to correlate guns sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas and just assume they were bought as gifts. Regardless, and this breaks my heart, here in America, school shootings won’t go away. It is an inevitable consequence of our insane gun culture.
I groan at humankind being an oxymoron, but you are absolutely correct. And I’m so sad by that. However, it gives me new fuel to use that when I encounter haters: “Please don’t be an example of an oxymoron to humankind. Be better than that; just be kind.”
Hmmm…I really like the potential in that!
Marjorie, thanks for your continued engagement in my little corner of Substackistan. I am grateful for you.
An important and thought provoking 200th edition, thank you. Sad news on another school shooting, such violent madness.
Christmas can be a really challenging time for many ❤️🩹 I ‘ve had some really sad and lonely Christmas’s in the past , but now have no expectations on how a perfect Christmas should be.
I think THAT’s the exact secret—to let go of expectations and not care how anything turns out. Just allow reality to happen while you participate in each moment. And bring your best game to it. Then…comes the next moment. Repeat.
We adults can get so wrapped up in our own holiday drama that we forget our kids are always watching us, always learning from us, and always absorbing into their own bodies the energy we give off.
Wise words and thoughts, you must be such a great influence on the young and the old 😂 Thank You
When I reflect on my parenting, it would be so different with these insights and learnings. But at the time i was doing the best with what I had and knew .
Thank you! “But at the same time, i was doing the best with what I had and knew.”
In other words, you were being perfectly you!!! No regrets in that, right?
Thanks for sharing. This brings to mind an old Buddhist teaching that goes something like, 'Create an island for yourself; be your own refuge.' It’s a concept that might be challenging to fully grasp depending on one’s age or life stage, but it’s definitely worth reflecting on.
YES!!! I think, in fact, that is the only way one fully realizes refuge. One can be in a sanctuary, but what is happening inside oneself has to settle (or be release completely) for true refuge to emerge. At least the kind of refuge we are talking about here. That’s why we needed to teach our students how to manage better their emotions so that they could best benefit from the sanctuary of school we were providing for them.
Thank you for thi gift on your 200th edition. Human understanding is very super power. I will be ready to read more in the new year. Peace.
I’m so happy to have discovered you in Notes this week William! I’ve loved your writing.
Congratulations on your 200th essay! May you have a wonderful time with family and friends during the Holiday Season.
Can’t believe guns are given as gifts…what will it take to end school shootings?
I’m really going to see if I can find out how many firearms were bought as gifts. Might be impossible to track given regulations of gun ownership—so might have to correlate guns sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas and just assume they were bought as gifts. Regardless, and this breaks my heart, here in America, school shootings won’t go away. It is an inevitable consequence of our insane gun culture.
Oxymoron- humankind
when so many are getting gunned down. Schools should not be war zones - PERIOD
I groan at humankind being an oxymoron, but you are absolutely correct. And I’m so sad by that. However, it gives me new fuel to use that when I encounter haters: “Please don’t be an example of an oxymoron to humankind. Be better than that; just be kind.”
Hmmm…I really like the potential in that!
Marjorie, thanks for your continued engagement in my little corner of Substackistan. I am grateful for you.
Thanks Kert. New reader and I really really appreciate your deep hearted insights.❤️
Ian, that’s so nice of you to say—you made my evening! Thank you. I appreciate you and the time you spend reading anything of mine; very humbling.
Thanks for you thoughtful sharing. I hope all the school principals (and parents) learn this! Congrats on your 200th essay.
Thanks Lindsay!
———-
Two hundred essays!
Seems I had a lot to say
Who knew? I didn’t.
How many Haikus
To unveil the heart’s vision
Universe of words
Thank you Kert. It’s insane and sad what goes on in schools and in the streets of America with gun culture.
I wish you a serene and joyful holiday season.
Peace and good health to you and yours as well my friend. Thank you Yolanda.
This couldn't be more 'spot on'! I am forwarding to all the teachers and school staff I know. Thank you for this insight, brother. Love you!
Yay! Thanks sis! Happy times to all of you and yours—we love and miss you.
it’s heartbreaking yet so important to acknowledge the unseen struggles many kids face, and how school can be their sanctuary!
Thank you Mohika. You speak Truth.