9 responses so far ↓

• 1 Linda Nov 3, 2007

  Jennifer: I check your blog daily with a prayer that you are getting what you need from your retreat. I, too, am making a cocoon for my soul at 46 (or is it 47). It just seems the right time to stop pushing myself and accept and love me. That is hard to do when I’ve pushed to be my best, to achieve all these years. I don’t regret any of the pushing and achievements… but I just am not able to push anymore. I’m not depressed about that. It is a little uncomfortable (read anxious here ) NOT to push – which is my familiar behavior, but I am trying to let go of that pushing and just take account of my life so far. It just seems the right thing to do…to let up a bit. Blessings to you, Jennifer. Linda

• 2 Lora Nov 3, 2007

  Hi, May you hold the JOY of mystery, the wonder on not-knowing. Loved your blog. And I was also hoping you’d help me.

  I just started a tiny blog, and wanted to add the address to Voice of Bainbridge but cannot figure out how the heck to do tis. Can you help me? I have scoured the splash page looking for a way to add a blog listing, but have not seen any mention of how to do this. Can you help me? MANY, MANY THANKS! Namaste, Lora

• 3 Jenny Nov 4, 2007

  Linda (in her post) described exactly what I am feeling – not being able to push anymore. And I am 46 as well. Until reading Linda’s post I was not able to describe what I am experiencing. I, too, find myself feeling like I have already “climbed the mountain” and now I want to just sit and look at the view. The hard part is – I am at a point in my job where I could push and “become more” or I could step back and not “achieve” so much professionally. The decision is hard. Thanks so much Linda for sharing your words – my thoughts match yours.

• 4 Shell Nov 4, 2007

  Hello, Jennifer. I’ve been reading about your retreat with much interest & was moved to reply to your comment today re “Is it really okay to…..”. I know whereof you speak, since I have a chronic illness that intermittently makes me stop all “doing”, and I’ve had many struggle with that. But I have come to a more peaceful place with that, reminding myself that I am not a Human Doing, but a Human Being, though all my conditioning and socialization has pushed me to DO. When struggling with some of the isolation, anxiety, etc., I often read either The Dalai Lama’s books, or Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. If you’ve not happened to read Whitman, he can be a wonderful reminder of why and how we need to embrace “just Being” to achieve great joy! I now find it rather odd when I speak with friends who begin their conversations, always, by telling me everything that they have Done today, but not one single way that they have experienced or Been. Because the Doing will all be done again tomorrow. But the Being is a source of continuing growth and grounding. Not to say that I don’t still struggle – I do. But just wanted to share with you for a moment and to tell you, “YES! It’s okay & in fact better than okay!” What gifts did you give and receive with those you sat with , talked with, ate with? And trust your journey. You are inspiring and being for all of us as well. Thank you. Blessings.

• 5 Irene Nov 4, 2007

  When the color and the shape of a flower stand out.
  When the leaves are greener and diaphanus, thehe air fresher, penetrating my nostrils and reaching down into my lungs.
  When I want to paint gray.
  When time stops for a split second,hen I know God has been in touch.

• 6 Jennifer Louden Nov 6, 2007

  Lora, I don’t know anything about how to add to the Voice of Bainbridge – or even what it is! How out of it am I?

  Linda and Jenny on pushing: this is what I liked most (or at least a lot) about my last book, The Life Organizer, in that I tried to address this question which is of PROFOUND importance to us middle aged women and your comments make me hunger to explore it more — its such an inner process, so hard to explain, this letting go of pushing and shoving… it does take a very high level of spiritual awareness, I feel, or one can so easily fall into magical thinking or resignation.

  And Shell, yes, yes, yes on how we recount what happened in our day that was valuable– not I did this or that but I felt this, noticed that, was here! I am not a Whitman devotee but have read his poetry, of course.

  Ah, what a ride!!!

• 7 Cherilyn Nov 9, 2007

  Ah, what a relief this blog and your books are, Jennifer!

  I’m a self-help junkie who finally came to the realization that self-help was, in a way, self-violence. I wasn’t good enough as I was, so I had to have some sort of overhaul to be worthy. Unbelieveable,when you put it that way.

  I’m a bit younger that y’all (just 38), but have felt since I was young that all of the pushing I saw my high-achieving mother and sister doing was just not worth it–wish I could be more articulate on that. But I’ve had a really hard time finding my passion, my love, my essence connecting with the world.

  Now that the youngest of my 3 boys is 3, I have a little more freedom, and I have been pushing, simply to move at my own pace for a while, and I’m burned out. I’m trying to find a space where I can flow. Force is my default, but it just doesn’t work anymore. Thankfully, the Life Organizer came into my life, and it’s pointing me to another way. My gratitude to you, Jennifer!

  Shell–I love your insight on the “doing!” That’s me all right! I always greet my husband with the “what I did today” list to prove that being at home with the kids is OK, worthwhile. I’m trying to live the question of where the balance lies in doing enough (laundry, dishes) to keep the chaos down so I can really love my surroundings. Hmmm . . .

• 8 Cherilyn Nov 9, 2007

  Jennifer–Thanks so much for the Source questions.
  Peace & blessings on your retreat–

• 9 girl30* Nov 18, 2007

  I have just discovered yr blog Jennifer, after trawling through Kimberly Wilson’s podcasts… THANK YOU! I am so happy, it’s like I’ve tumbled into a new world.

  I look forward to becoming a regular reader : )

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