I’m so grateful I stumbled across your newsletter and have joined your monthly writing sessions. These gentle prompts have surfaced healing opportunities and inspired long-forgotten memories to resurface. Thank you.
“Writing can also connect us with our embodied selves. The physical act of writing, especially with a pen and paper, means our bodies become part of the creation of meaning.”
Yes. This brings to mind a friend who is a good 15 or 20 years younger than me, whose body has not given her a child, and now will never be able to give her a child. In her anguish and mourning, she wrote deeply personal and meaningful messages for her stationary company, and printed those messages on cards using a 100 year old letter press, one in which she had to physically operate by pumping a foot pedal and feeding the cards through by hand.
She told me how meaningful it was for her to be able to produce something with her body. To write with her hand, to pump with her foot, to lean in with her body and feed the paper through. Her body that had let her down in so many ways could still be used to create *something.*
An encouraging and hopeful way to lean in a bit this morning, Julie. Thank you. The body does keep the score, as Van Der Kolk's book details. This writing prompt you've offered softens the sharp edge of reaching out, daring to touch the sore spots of this body. There's healing to be had in the engagement you've written. And I trust you and believe you. Blessings ~ always, Shannan
Ah Shannon, thank you for your encouragement, and for the reminder of Van Der Kolk's insights. I hope your writing is healing. It is always healing for me to hear your words.
I’m so grateful I stumbled across your newsletter and have joined your monthly writing sessions. These gentle prompts have surfaced healing opportunities and inspired long-forgotten memories to resurface. Thank you.
You and your wonderful writing are always welcome! Similarly grateful to have connected.
“Writing can also connect us with our embodied selves. The physical act of writing, especially with a pen and paper, means our bodies become part of the creation of meaning.”
Yes. This brings to mind a friend who is a good 15 or 20 years younger than me, whose body has not given her a child, and now will never be able to give her a child. In her anguish and mourning, she wrote deeply personal and meaningful messages for her stationary company, and printed those messages on cards using a 100 year old letter press, one in which she had to physically operate by pumping a foot pedal and feeding the cards through by hand.
She told me how meaningful it was for her to be able to produce something with her body. To write with her hand, to pump with her foot, to lean in with her body and feed the paper through. Her body that had let her down in so many ways could still be used to create *something.*
Powerful story, Jen. Thank you.
You are writing what I know I know but cannot myself explain.
Writing about what I don't know helps me get there, eventually.... Thanks for reading, Irma.
An encouraging and hopeful way to lean in a bit this morning, Julie. Thank you. The body does keep the score, as Van Der Kolk's book details. This writing prompt you've offered softens the sharp edge of reaching out, daring to touch the sore spots of this body. There's healing to be had in the engagement you've written. And I trust you and believe you. Blessings ~ always, Shannan
Ah Shannon, thank you for your encouragement, and for the reminder of Van Der Kolk's insights. I hope your writing is healing. It is always healing for me to hear your words.