‘Life has been generous with her teachings around impermanence’
That line spoke to me. Having gone through a few of the big life events that you’d rather swerve, I have learnt to hack transition, grief, uncertainty. Currently in a debilitating chronic illness, I am painstakingly pulling myself through to an envisaged recovery. The paradox is that whereas we all could have done without the teachings, they are invaluable. The challenges take on new forms, but all the learnings apply. You used the word grit - it surprises me daily to find just how much of it we have.
I do think that perhaps we have all been hoodwinked by the idea that the human condition can be cherry-picked, and that the only fruit worth eating is happiness. I have learned more from the bitter pips than the ripe fruits. And I've deeply resented every single lesson at the time... although I notice that my cycle is getting shorter. Sorry to hear about your chronic illness dear one, because not every pain has a silver fucking lining!
You are very welcome! I've been reading 'The Chalice and the Blade' over Christmas. It reminded me that there were some egalitarian civilizations before patriarchal ones, and that they did very well indeed... for both men and women...
This is beautiful Jody. I also used to love riding the top deck of the London buses for the same reason, so much history and stunning architecture up there 😄
And yes, those lessons in impermanence keep coming.... ❤️
I love the way that writing about our own deeply subjective experience so often chimes with others... we really are so much less alone than we realise! Sending you Christmas wishes on the other side of the world. Hugs, Jody x
Thanks Cathy! The novel is coming along... slowly! My mum's death last year knocked the wind out of my fiction-writing sails, but they are back again now. Hugs, Jody x
I love this. I have always held a strong sense of curiosity in days gone by.
Growing up in New York City, seeing small pieces of old advertisements on the walls of old buildings or store names still hanging above a store that is now something else. Those things always intrigue me so much.
I often think about items from my youth, toys or books that were given away. Do they still exist? Probably not, but if they do, I hope they are making someone smile as they once did for me.
How cool it might be if long after my life is over, someone might hold something of mine in their hand and love it as much as I might have.
As always, so well written and so much to think about.
Gorgeous soul renderings, unique voicing of nearly universal experience as we gather the bones, sort wheat from chaff, re-discover ourselves, Selves, and what makes (and has made) us remember our wholeness at the hearth.
What a beautiful, luscious image you paint of that little girl in the far off future. When I break things like plates and cups, I thrown them in the garden and think "archaeology".
Love the depiction of the changing landscapes of the external and internal and how your ‘selves’ are woven together. Your writing is all enveloping 🙏✍🏻
Wow, that's a heck of a compliment, thank you. Part of the extraordinary adventure of getting older is beginning to see the holons of life, and the exquisite architecture of that. Thank you for appreciating Simone x
I just love your line: "I am ageing into a collage of all the places and people I have loved, many of them no longer on this earth, all of them invisible to the naked eye." ❤️
Thank you Lee. I'm not sure which great teacher said 'no experience is ever wasted', but as I age, I'm really beginning to sense/see what that mean. And I'm only 60 - what riches of mind, body and soul are there to encounter if I'm lucky enough to see 70 or even 80!
I love this article, thank you! It's often better to hold on to happy memories rather than go back to a place we loved a long time ago. There are two types of homesickness: one is experienced by those who want to return to a place, the other by those who stayed and don't recognise it anymore.
Thanks for naming that Sue. I'm also feeling that at this late end-stage capitalism time we are living through, almost everywhere that was once 'special' to us has been despoiled in some way; it's heartbreaking to return and see that, and know that current generations and those to come will never see what we saw. Yet another loss for us, and for them...
I love this! It has reoccurred to me that time gives us different lenses to see the world through depending on our own place on the timeline of our lives. I've never been to London but other cities, Rome and Córdoba in particular, made me feel the sensation of a time warp whereby I could see and feel the layers of history around me.
Oh Rome, Roma! I spend a magical year there as an au pair in my early twenties. Returning to it in my 50s, I wept to see its transformation from quirk to modern consumer homogeneity. And I mean I literally wept. Because it felt like I too had been erased...
‘Life has been generous with her teachings around impermanence’
That line spoke to me. Having gone through a few of the big life events that you’d rather swerve, I have learnt to hack transition, grief, uncertainty. Currently in a debilitating chronic illness, I am painstakingly pulling myself through to an envisaged recovery. The paradox is that whereas we all could have done without the teachings, they are invaluable. The challenges take on new forms, but all the learnings apply. You used the word grit - it surprises me daily to find just how much of it we have.
I do think that perhaps we have all been hoodwinked by the idea that the human condition can be cherry-picked, and that the only fruit worth eating is happiness. I have learned more from the bitter pips than the ripe fruits. And I've deeply resented every single lesson at the time... although I notice that my cycle is getting shorter. Sorry to hear about your chronic illness dear one, because not every pain has a silver fucking lining!
Grateful to you for this! and also for the reference to the Fall of Civilizations podcast. Context is everything. Thank you!
You are very welcome! I've been reading 'The Chalice and the Blade' over Christmas. It reminded me that there were some egalitarian civilizations before patriarchal ones, and that they did very well indeed... for both men and women...
Absolutely loved this Jody. ❤️
Thank you Marion x
This is beautiful Jody. I also used to love riding the top deck of the London buses for the same reason, so much history and stunning architecture up there 😄
And yes, those lessons in impermanence keep coming.... ❤️
I love the way that writing about our own deeply subjective experience so often chimes with others... we really are so much less alone than we realise! Sending you Christmas wishes on the other side of the world. Hugs, Jody x
Thanks Jody, and to you too in Ireland 💚
Wow what a deeply reflective read… 💚
Thank you so much for reflecting along with me Sheila x
Such a beautiful aerial view of ‘essence of Jody’. Lovely storytelling. Can’t wait for your book x
Thanks Cathy! The novel is coming along... slowly! My mum's death last year knocked the wind out of my fiction-writing sails, but they are back again now. Hugs, Jody x
Jody, I enjoyed reading this & seeing you at Newgrange. I feel connection to this place , from a long , long time ago.
From another positive pessimism who writes about collapse & emergence. I appreciate the intro to the podcast.
I love this. I have always held a strong sense of curiosity in days gone by.
Growing up in New York City, seeing small pieces of old advertisements on the walls of old buildings or store names still hanging above a store that is now something else. Those things always intrigue me so much.
I often think about items from my youth, toys or books that were given away. Do they still exist? Probably not, but if they do, I hope they are making someone smile as they once did for me.
How cool it might be if long after my life is over, someone might hold something of mine in their hand and love it as much as I might have.
As always, so well written and so much to think about.
Thank you Jody
Gorgeous soul renderings, unique voicing of nearly universal experience as we gather the bones, sort wheat from chaff, re-discover ourselves, Selves, and what makes (and has made) us remember our wholeness at the hearth.
What a beautiful, luscious image you paint of that little girl in the far off future. When I break things like plates and cups, I thrown them in the garden and think "archaeology".
That's a lovely ritual - I shall do that now too! x
Love the depiction of the changing landscapes of the external and internal and how your ‘selves’ are woven together. Your writing is all enveloping 🙏✍🏻
Wow, that's a heck of a compliment, thank you. Part of the extraordinary adventure of getting older is beginning to see the holons of life, and the exquisite architecture of that. Thank you for appreciating Simone x
It certainly is an adventure. Thank you for your insights and inspiration 🌺
I just love your line: "I am ageing into a collage of all the places and people I have loved, many of them no longer on this earth, all of them invisible to the naked eye." ❤️
Thank you Lee. I'm not sure which great teacher said 'no experience is ever wasted', but as I age, I'm really beginning to sense/see what that mean. And I'm only 60 - what riches of mind, body and soul are there to encounter if I'm lucky enough to see 70 or even 80!
I love this article, thank you! It's often better to hold on to happy memories rather than go back to a place we loved a long time ago. There are two types of homesickness: one is experienced by those who want to return to a place, the other by those who stayed and don't recognise it anymore.
Thanks for naming that Sue. I'm also feeling that at this late end-stage capitalism time we are living through, almost everywhere that was once 'special' to us has been despoiled in some way; it's heartbreaking to return and see that, and know that current generations and those to come will never see what we saw. Yet another loss for us, and for them...
Indeed. They don't remember a time before computers, mobile phones and social media, either. Not to mention a more intact environment.
I love this! It has reoccurred to me that time gives us different lenses to see the world through depending on our own place on the timeline of our lives. I've never been to London but other cities, Rome and Córdoba in particular, made me feel the sensation of a time warp whereby I could see and feel the layers of history around me.
Oh Rome, Roma! I spend a magical year there as an au pair in my early twenties. Returning to it in my 50s, I wept to see its transformation from quirk to modern consumer homogeneity. And I mean I literally wept. Because it felt like I too had been erased...
Thank you, positive pessimist for this elucidating long range view. Love seeing you in front of Newgrange!
Thank you dear Tess. Loved your piece interviewing Darkness too. From the inside of Newgrange, all the other days of the year maybe...?