Where would we be without all those early versions of ourselves? Hopefully, we had the wherewithal to love them and show compassion, so we can be better people today.
Thank you for this lovely letter! It inspires me to spend time thanking my younger selves for the adventures they have taken me through, and giving me a wonderful son. Lots of lenses to see myself through, including the possibility of being on the spectrum, but not yet diagnosed (suggestion by my therapist). And perhaps thus will help guide me through the liminal space I find myself in.
I'd love to support you as a paid subscriber, but have some financial hurdles to resolve, first.
This is absolutely beautiful! ❤️ Thank you so much for allowing us new (free) subscribers momentarily into your wonderful world of words 😊
This has sparked a memory of a huge defining moment in my life...
As someone who has always struggled with self compassion, I will never forget the moment someone asked me... "if I could be with myself aged 12 - a time of great turmoil and huge difficulties - what would I say?"
When I pictured myself at that stage in my life with the insight I now have, I felt the most enormous rush of empathy and compassion for that little girl and all that she was going through. The tears were tumbling down my cheeks and I could hardly catch my breath, as the overwhelming erge came over me, to scoop her up in my arms and shower her with the warmest words of comfort and love ❤️
Needless to say, I am a bit better at self compassion these days 😉
This piece reminds me of one I've used with my middle grade students, Eleven, by Sandra Cisneros about how a young girl realizes that she's not just turning eleven but she is also the 10 year-old and 9-year-old, and 8-year-old, and she always will be. As I read back my old journals, I can certainly relate. Thank you for sharing this!
I love the nesting doll analogy of previous selfs. To grow up in a healthy state we need to transcend and include all parts of us. Nothing can be omitted, but everything must be accepted.
This stirs so many feelings and reminds me of words by Emory Hall I read recently...
“Make peace with all the women you once were.
Lay flowers at their feet.
Offer them incense, and honey, and forgiveness.
Honor them and give them your silence.
Listen.
Bless them and let them be.
For they are the bones of the temple you sit in now.
For they are the rivers of wisdom leading you toward the sea.”
I ADORE that you wore your new sparkly dress with fluffy slippers for dinner at home on NYE!! Luxe plus practical = perfection 🧡
So much to love about this piece & a poignant reminder for me to love the previous incantations of myself as she is part of the whole of me.
Beautiful writing, thank you for blessing us with sharing 🧡
Where would we be without all those early versions of ourselves? Hopefully, we had the wherewithal to love them and show compassion, so we can be better people today.
I love that Didion quote:)
All the feelings on reading this , hope we get to dance in
Sequins and slippers together soon! 💫💫
Lovely Laura! Happy New Year!
Very beautiful thank you for sharing 🙏🏻
Thank you for this lovely letter! It inspires me to spend time thanking my younger selves for the adventures they have taken me through, and giving me a wonderful son. Lots of lenses to see myself through, including the possibility of being on the spectrum, but not yet diagnosed (suggestion by my therapist). And perhaps thus will help guide me through the liminal space I find myself in.
I'd love to support you as a paid subscriber, but have some financial hurdles to resolve, first.
This is absolutely beautiful! ❤️ Thank you so much for allowing us new (free) subscribers momentarily into your wonderful world of words 😊
This has sparked a memory of a huge defining moment in my life...
As someone who has always struggled with self compassion, I will never forget the moment someone asked me... "if I could be with myself aged 12 - a time of great turmoil and huge difficulties - what would I say?"
When I pictured myself at that stage in my life with the insight I now have, I felt the most enormous rush of empathy and compassion for that little girl and all that she was going through. The tears were tumbling down my cheeks and I could hardly catch my breath, as the overwhelming erge came over me, to scoop her up in my arms and shower her with the warmest words of comfort and love ❤️
Needless to say, I am a bit better at self compassion these days 😉
Oh so beautiful ✨✨✨
Simply beautiful piece Laura.
Beautifully written! I ordered your book and it’s arriving tomorrow 💕 can’t wait!
Slippers and sequins and ... warmth! I have so much adoration for your words Laura!
Beautiful
This piece reminds me of one I've used with my middle grade students, Eleven, by Sandra Cisneros about how a young girl realizes that she's not just turning eleven but she is also the 10 year-old and 9-year-old, and 8-year-old, and she always will be. As I read back my old journals, I can certainly relate. Thank you for sharing this!
I love the nesting doll analogy of previous selfs. To grow up in a healthy state we need to transcend and include all parts of us. Nothing can be omitted, but everything must be accepted.
Happy New Year, Laura! Thank you again for your beautiful words.