When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong with the fearful, the true mixed in with the façade, and of course, the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way.
~Fred Rogers
A few years ago, a group of bloggers started writing about our Spiritual Journey on Thursdays. Now we are writing on the first Thursday of the month. Today’s theme is connections, Dori’s one little word for 2017.
I found this Fred Rogers quote on Tabatha Yeats post here. Mr. Rogers left a legacy of kindness. When I watched with my children, we sang along to every song. “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” became a bedtime lullaby. At the time I thought he was so corny, but now I want corny back in my life. Fred Rogers was a wise and gentle soul.
To be able to make meaningful connections in our own lives, we must be content with and loving to ourselves. This truth took me a long time to learn.
The Enneagram is a tool for discovering who you really are. I subscribe to an Enneagram Thought of the Day.
Balancing my own feelings makes me more available for the feelings of others. I can connect in a stronger way.
Writing is one of the ways (along with yoga and walking) I center myself. How I come to know who I am and what I truly feel.
Writing is also a way that I connect to others. I’ve been writing on this blog for six years. My blogging has led me to connections across the globe. I met Tara Smith this way. She is no longer a blogger with the Two Writing Teachers, but our connection has moved us into a friendship we sustain through Voxer. Yesterday she committed to the Slice of Life Challenge because of something I said. I was touched by her post.
The more I reflected upon Margaret’s message (about the resurrection fern), the more I returned to this line: “it needs a host plant or other substrate on which to anchor.” This writing community is just such an anchor; it is our oak tree.
What is your oak tree? How do you connect and maintain connections with others? We all need these precious connections in our lives. They sustain us and nurture us as we sustain and nurture ourselves.
This is lovely, Margaret! You are a great agent of connection (as Tara has said). I too have experienced it. It was your invitation to join in on last year’s Spiritual Journey Thursday in the first place, that got me involved and your posts are always supportive and inspirational. I think only heaven will reveal the extent and fruit of all the connections we have made on earth–now magnified many times over by the internet. It’s quite exciting to contemplate!
So many delightful connections through blogging. I’ve tried to understand the power of these connections. It’s hard to say, but it seems this is where we find our tribe, the people who love reading and writing as much as we do. These words from your post leave me much to think about: “To be able to make meaningful connections in our own lives, we must be content with and loving to ourselves.”
i enjoyed your post for so many reasons, Margaret. First of all, your message about being content with ourselves was discussed in yoga today. Every time I fell out of balancing pose, I just tried again without judgment. When we are at peace with ourselves, life seems to flow better. Breathing in the class lead to quieting the mind. The teacher reminded us to shoo away the interfering thought and return to the breath. With that, I was able to connect with myself, feel energized, and ready for the next part of my day. I like the advice from the Enneagram Institute. Thanks for sharing so many pivotal points.
Margaret, thank you for these lovely thoughts. I do find the writing community to be an oak tree in my life…. also my spiritual life (which includes the practice of writing)… and my husband! xo
I began blogging in earnest at TWT years back. I am not doing the SOL this March, because it is just too hectic (Ha! and I’m retired!) now. But so many of my connections started there, and grew and branched out.
Do you remember the movie “The Net” with Sandra Bullock? Living/working as a recluse in the city, she lost her connections when she needed them most. It was a scary movie to me, and so believable in this age.
Writing centers me too! Love that thought!
Wow. I mean, wow. This is such a heartfelt and beautifully written post. I would like to know what the Spiritual Connection guidelines/prompts/jumping off place is and join when I can. I feel wonderfully connected to other writers in such a good way. I’ve only grown in my desire to write and read and write better. Thanks for posting this.
It’s good to hear your thinking about connections, Margaret. I’ve often wondered how there are some of us who connect in some way or another, and some who do not? Even over the wires, the bond feels strong. Our appreciation of others might be one part, and the idea of community being important. Thanks for a special post.
I love getting my Ennegram of the Day too! It often helps set the pace for my day. Those connections we make are so important to sustain us through the ups and downs of our lives. Thank you for this post.
I’ve realized I missed the “anchor” of the blogging community since I’ve been sporadic and sparse with my writing. This post reminds me why I fell in love with it in the first place – you were a part of that. The SOLSC is bringing that love back!!
Ah my oak tree…my family, my work, my writing. You’re write about writing and yoga–they are wonderful ways to gain center, focus, and intention. I’m looking forward to the month of reconnecting with you and some of my other favorite people I know from writing and sharing. Sending a hug to you on this Spiritual Thursday!
“To be able to make meaningful connections in our own lives, we must be content with and loving to ourselves.” These words really resonate for me, Margaret. I’m so thankful that writing brought us together. Your encouragement sustains me!
As Linda said, I wonder about how we all connect or gravitate toward certain people in this community . Finding each other in our written words first was new to me; an unusual way to connect. I believe the writing connects us with deep roots.
Like the deep roots of live oaks.
A lovely post, Margaret. I do agree with Mr. Rogers about loving ourselves. If we love ourselves “aright” (as Leanne Payne says), then we are free from being so consumed by ourselves. It actually frees us to love others without thinking about ourselves. Such an interesting paradox. These blogging connections are definitely an oak, a place for growth and joy. Thanks for sharing.