💙 your writing does inspire many things for many people and I’m glad I stumbled into SS and yours was one of the first to grab hold of my being and I’ll never forget… I wish I could help right now with paid subscription to 3-4 different friends here… in time I will, but meanwhile… keep shining and being that beacon of hope and knowledge … 🌈✍️🫂
Rick, this means so much. This support. I understand so well not being in a position to pay for subscriptions and really wanting to. Please know that the support you have given is so appreciated 🫂
This makes me so happy. Truly. I don't remember when or where I first encountered "joy" and "defiant" together, but I latched onto it. When joy feels particularly difficult to access, making it an act of defiance somehow frees (and empowers) me to lean in anyhow, with as much weight as I can. May your joy be wondrously defiant this year 💖
So courageous (and self-loving) of you to ask for support so that you can support yourself in the ways your essential self is telling you it needs it (ie shaking those tailfeathers!). I've been inching my way towards letting go of fear of a "no, thank you" and doing the same thing here on SS.
I also feel you on that and also on the need for ecstatic movement to buttress damp spirits. The wild animal body needs life-giving creative expression and release, and it can so easily become pinned under the weight of a sagging soul. While I'm not in a position to offer financial support right now, I am offering you wholehearted spiritual support and camaraderie on this path of filling your cup then sharing it with others.
Also: my mother was in a memory care unit for about 5 years before she died, and I have so much respect and gratitude for the generous souls who cared for and accompanied her there. The residents you accompany (and their loved ones) are so fortunate to have you.
Dear friend. There is so much here I want to respond to. Thank you, first of all, for your encouragement. I have struggled and hesitated to ask for support like this, so it did feel like a big step I'm proud of. And it also gave me an opportunity to see how supported I am by some really lovely people. I hope the same for you, whenever/if ever you decide to take this step. I'll be one of your wholehearted spiritual supporters, too. I completely understand not being in a position to offer financial support (which is what made this the hardest for me to ask). I'm not really in that position, either, so asking for something I'm not able to give myself has been a bit of a mind game. I want you to know how much your words, presence and friendship have lifted my spirit in the short time I've known you. You're one of my favorites here, and that is worth so freaking much.
Also...your mom. I felt grief reading this. Five years in memory care is a long time to be losing someone (and watching someone lose themselves). I hate how overworn it sounds and feels to say "I'm sorry" in this context, but I am. Profoundly so. Your words also buoyed me for the work I do... And I thank you for that ❤️🩹
Thanks so much for all of this, Phoenix. Your heart-centric way of writing and being is incredibly generous, deeply appreciated, endlessly refreshing. And you have honored me with your words here (thank you again). I especially appreciate your naming that about the length of time my mom was in memory care. She was there from December 2016 til October 2021. On and off hospice 5 times. During that time, she survived pneumonia, norovirus, a broken arm, compression fractures in several vertebrae, and a broken hip. It was an incredibly long, slow, sad goodbye. And yes, to watch your loved one unravel slowly is so grueling. And yet there were some incredibly beautiful moments as well. One of my substack posts was about this very thing. Anyway, thank you for your kindness and again, I can only imagine what a treasure you are to the residents you care for, and how much peace of mind you give their families.
You've got me thinking with this: "One thing I’ve learned about myself over the past few years is that dancing is one of my barometers, a reading of my mental health." I'll be looking inward and see what my barometers are. Thank you for your story, Phoenix.
Ohhh. I love that this is making you reflective about your own barometers, Spencer. I've pinpointed a handful of them for myself and I find them to be reliable, gentle nudges towards myself. I hope the same for you 🫂
Once again, the synchronicity takes my breath away...before March 2020 I was dancing, mainly 5rhythms, and beginning to explore other somatic areas. Then everything shut down overnight, and by the time things re-opened friends had moved away and there seemed no avenue for me to explore. These years later, my present yoga teacher is just putting out feelers about movement workshop possibilities...and I was digging my toes into the sand, feeling waay too old and grouchy and antisocial. Now watching me go! Old, who me?!🤩
PS, Subscription upgraded...another thing on my list today xx
Oh my goodness, YESSSS, Janey! I understand the “old and grouchy and antisocial” vibes, lol, and I love that you’re rediscovering how energetic and free you are as you’re able to return to dancing… I love this so much. And thank you, from my heart, thank you — for all your support. For this added support. I’m so moved. Please keep dancing. xx
💙 your writing does inspire many things for many people and I’m glad I stumbled into SS and yours was one of the first to grab hold of my being and I’ll never forget… I wish I could help right now with paid subscription to 3-4 different friends here… in time I will, but meanwhile… keep shining and being that beacon of hope and knowledge … 🌈✍️🫂
Rick, this means so much. This support. I understand so well not being in a position to pay for subscriptions and really wanting to. Please know that the support you have given is so appreciated 🫂
💙 it’s something you’ve EARNED Phoenix !
"Defiant Joy" I so love that concept!
Thank you so much for sharing your courageous journey
and the grace with which you share it taught me a lot more than I can put into words
I wrote down that those precious words: Defiant Joy in my notes on my phone, so that i can remember to tune into that 🙏
This makes me so happy. Truly. I don't remember when or where I first encountered "joy" and "defiant" together, but I latched onto it. When joy feels particularly difficult to access, making it an act of defiance somehow frees (and empowers) me to lean in anyhow, with as much weight as I can. May your joy be wondrously defiant this year 💖
Awww 🥰 thank you 🙏 and may yours be as well! 💗
So courageous (and self-loving) of you to ask for support so that you can support yourself in the ways your essential self is telling you it needs it (ie shaking those tailfeathers!). I've been inching my way towards letting go of fear of a "no, thank you" and doing the same thing here on SS.
I also feel you on that and also on the need for ecstatic movement to buttress damp spirits. The wild animal body needs life-giving creative expression and release, and it can so easily become pinned under the weight of a sagging soul. While I'm not in a position to offer financial support right now, I am offering you wholehearted spiritual support and camaraderie on this path of filling your cup then sharing it with others.
Also: my mother was in a memory care unit for about 5 years before she died, and I have so much respect and gratitude for the generous souls who cared for and accompanied her there. The residents you accompany (and their loved ones) are so fortunate to have you.
Dear friend. There is so much here I want to respond to. Thank you, first of all, for your encouragement. I have struggled and hesitated to ask for support like this, so it did feel like a big step I'm proud of. And it also gave me an opportunity to see how supported I am by some really lovely people. I hope the same for you, whenever/if ever you decide to take this step. I'll be one of your wholehearted spiritual supporters, too. I completely understand not being in a position to offer financial support (which is what made this the hardest for me to ask). I'm not really in that position, either, so asking for something I'm not able to give myself has been a bit of a mind game. I want you to know how much your words, presence and friendship have lifted my spirit in the short time I've known you. You're one of my favorites here, and that is worth so freaking much.
Also...your mom. I felt grief reading this. Five years in memory care is a long time to be losing someone (and watching someone lose themselves). I hate how overworn it sounds and feels to say "I'm sorry" in this context, but I am. Profoundly so. Your words also buoyed me for the work I do... And I thank you for that ❤️🩹
Thanks so much for all of this, Phoenix. Your heart-centric way of writing and being is incredibly generous, deeply appreciated, endlessly refreshing. And you have honored me with your words here (thank you again). I especially appreciate your naming that about the length of time my mom was in memory care. She was there from December 2016 til October 2021. On and off hospice 5 times. During that time, she survived pneumonia, norovirus, a broken arm, compression fractures in several vertebrae, and a broken hip. It was an incredibly long, slow, sad goodbye. And yes, to watch your loved one unravel slowly is so grueling. And yet there were some incredibly beautiful moments as well. One of my substack posts was about this very thing. Anyway, thank you for your kindness and again, I can only imagine what a treasure you are to the residents you care for, and how much peace of mind you give their families.
I'm going to respond in a DM, friend.
You've got me thinking with this: "One thing I’ve learned about myself over the past few years is that dancing is one of my barometers, a reading of my mental health." I'll be looking inward and see what my barometers are. Thank you for your story, Phoenix.
Ohhh. I love that this is making you reflective about your own barometers, Spencer. I've pinpointed a handful of them for myself and I find them to be reliable, gentle nudges towards myself. I hope the same for you 🫂
🤗❤️
Once again, the synchronicity takes my breath away...before March 2020 I was dancing, mainly 5rhythms, and beginning to explore other somatic areas. Then everything shut down overnight, and by the time things re-opened friends had moved away and there seemed no avenue for me to explore. These years later, my present yoga teacher is just putting out feelers about movement workshop possibilities...and I was digging my toes into the sand, feeling waay too old and grouchy and antisocial. Now watching me go! Old, who me?!🤩
PS, Subscription upgraded...another thing on my list today xx
Oh my goodness, YESSSS, Janey! I understand the “old and grouchy and antisocial” vibes, lol, and I love that you’re rediscovering how energetic and free you are as you’re able to return to dancing… I love this so much. And thank you, from my heart, thank you — for all your support. For this added support. I’m so moved. Please keep dancing. xx
This made me smile, a genuine smile. I appreciate your gentle heart and loving support. xx