17 Comments

"If anyone's upset about what's in them they should've acted better." So much truth in that small simple statement, and so much to learn from it. Wishing you all the joy and love this world has to offer. You are such a blessing. ❤️🦋✌️

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The George Jones clip is pure soul.

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Amen to erasing

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"If anyone's upset about what's in them they should've acted better."

I plan to leave my journals to the Women's Studies department of a university. By the time some poor graduate student gets around to reading anything, it won't matter what they think. Best wishes, future student, in building a thesis off my shopping and to-do lists.

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Now, and only now, I can begin my week. Thank you and bless you.

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You will face tomorrow with grace, strength, and enlightenment. You’ve already harnessed most of the techniques in the Lion’s Gate Portal so your toolkit is abundant. Keep doing what you’re doing and reaching the second mountain may seem a little less daunting.

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Beautiful writing Allison. I love the profile picture of you. There is something much feeling in it. Your eyes. And despite all, Not clutching your pearls. 🦋

I’d like to comment on so many other things in your post today, but recognizing how much you miss your parents is the most important to me.

Will wake tomorrow thinking of you & Shelby. As Alice said. You’ll face it with grace, strength & enlightenment. I know you love your mom & dad very much. 💝

You’re a good daughter.

xo

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Each year you're stronger, wiser and more enlightened as you take on August.

I never forget all the dates...

Sending love. JB

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Allison, I don't want to sound like a sycophant or someone who is caught up in hero worship. I'm an 82-year-old man who raised two daughters as a single dad and have always worn my heart on my sleeve. I cry so easily that my kids talk about "Hugh moments." I came to you through your music but your words often touch me so deeply that I am almost paralyzed. Your beautiful and poweful words in this Sunday list have moved me almost entirely to tears (except for your adoration for George Jones, whose horrific nasal twang has always left me completely cold). You put into voice some of the thoughts I have had and have been unable to express. You give so much to those of us who spent time with you in this Autotelic environment. I can only hope you realize how immense are the blessings that you bring to us when you bare your soul so willingly.

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Thank you for your autotelic observations. Reading your reflections reminds me of the phone calls I used to have with my mom on a Sunday evening. On the subject of discovery, I re-discovered the music of Steve Forbert this weekend as he made a rare appearance in my hometown of Ottawa, Canada. From his first LP "Alive on Arrival" (1978) his song "Tonight I Feel So Far From Home" is a dart to the heart - pretty perceptive for what would have been a 24-year-old songwriter:

Standin' on the corner

Waitin’ for the snow

Wishin' I was a little warmer

Wonderin' where to go

I saw a man break down today

Break down into tears

Tonight I feel, so far away from home

Who can I confide in?

Who can really hear?

Who can keep my secrets?

Who can see me clear?

I saw a man break down today

Break down into tears

Tonight I feel, so far away from home

Watch out there mama

With your TV blues

Go walkin' lightly

In your high-heeled shoes

Look out there mister

Since ya seen so much

Go lightly flyin' on

Your graveyard crutch

People seeking people

Standing on the earth

Reaching for connection

They know what it's worth

I saw a man break down today

Break down (down) into tears

Tonight I feel, so far away from home

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I still have my dad, but we don't have much of a relationship. He's not much for conversation, but I have to tell him almost nothing, because almost anything could set him off.

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I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow with a heavy heart, Allison. Sending hugs to you through the ether🩶🩶🩶🩶🪽

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I am sometimes amazed at your journey through learning life and how you document it. Because of family issues, I have failed miserably during the last 6 months to put out my Substack even on a monthly basis. I think you are simply more open to the richness of the world around you than I am. Px❤️

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Thanks for the beautiful share, it really resonated with me this Monday morning

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Thank you, for sharing, as always. After reading the section "Something I'm thinking about" I reflected on todays visit with my 93 yr. old father, who still causes great anxiety in me, although I try to tell myself I am beyond his abuse. Today he told me he doesn't understand how I lived to be my age and haven't learned a thing. Thank you, for reminding me, that I am enough, I did enough. I can let go. Breathe.

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I saw George Jones shortly before he died and he was amazing. You couldn’t tell it was live. Same with Merle Haggard

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