This topic is so rich… Many thoughts. Many ways to understand things and choose our own relating paths. I also wonder about the dichotomy you bring up. And whether it is always a dichotomy. Could relational empathy, understanding, working through conflict, etc, actually feed into our sovereignty too? What is sovereignty? You get the wanderings I’m going for… Lots here!
And finally… I love the idea of asking each other the question “who are you?” more regularly. Especially the people we think we know well.
I don't think it needs to be a dichotomy, but moving beyond it has proven very challenging, at least for me. Because there is a fear that arises, of losing closeness, losing connection, that then shifts my need in the moment from *being seen and heard and loved as who I am* to *saying the right things so that I am accepted again*. But I agree that relational empathy and understanding can definitely feed into our sovereignty.
And yes, I would like to be asked "who are you?" more often, by more people. Instead of "how are you?" or "what do you do?"
Thank you for this one, Markael. It so happens to be topical for me right now. :)
As to Lughnasadh, I've always loved it since it coincides with my birthday. Even though, as you say, it has a "closing in" feel to it. There is still quite a bit of harvesting to do, yet, but the quickening need to get to it is palpable.
Extraordinary. And the photo you chose with the caption at the beginning embodied sovereign relating so beautifully. "Yes, and" is a lot harder than it sounds, which you articulated powerfully. This gave me a lot of beautiful things to muse on and I will be returning to it. Thank you always.
Thank you Stephanie! I didn't know what photo I might use for this post - since most of my photos are of the natural world and not people, and I would feel strange using a photo of anyone I know - and then I discovered that one.
Thank you, Markael. Wise and compassionate, and I resonate with almost all of what you say. Lots to respond to (but not now). I would add, however, that some empaths take on too much of another's stuff so that they suffer more than they 'should': something to guard against, I think, as one then becomes less able to respond appropriately, and offer authentically. I know that's not where you were going but it can be a real issue.
Thank you Roselle, and thank you for that reminder as well. There is a difference between being present to and understanding of another's experience, and fully taking on their experience as our own to the extent that we lose touch with our own inner world.
I appreciate this post! Interesting that all 4 of my online newsletters I checked this morning are about human connection. Yours truly resonated with me. Also thank you for telling me about tomorrow's seasonal turning. I didn't know its name but I love it.
I have found, surprisingly often, that writers I follow cover the same topics at the same times. I perceive it as a sort of synchronicity, an affirmation that we are weaving in alignment with a larger current. After all, I have no idea, a month out, what I will write next, and also no real idea where my inspiration comes from...
This topic is so rich… Many thoughts. Many ways to understand things and choose our own relating paths. I also wonder about the dichotomy you bring up. And whether it is always a dichotomy. Could relational empathy, understanding, working through conflict, etc, actually feed into our sovereignty too? What is sovereignty? You get the wanderings I’m going for… Lots here!
And finally… I love the idea of asking each other the question “who are you?” more regularly. Especially the people we think we know well.
I don't think it needs to be a dichotomy, but moving beyond it has proven very challenging, at least for me. Because there is a fear that arises, of losing closeness, losing connection, that then shifts my need in the moment from *being seen and heard and loved as who I am* to *saying the right things so that I am accepted again*. But I agree that relational empathy and understanding can definitely feed into our sovereignty.
And yes, I would like to be asked "who are you?" more often, by more people. Instead of "how are you?" or "what do you do?"
Thank you for this one, Markael. It so happens to be topical for me right now. :)
As to Lughnasadh, I've always loved it since it coincides with my birthday. Even though, as you say, it has a "closing in" feel to it. There is still quite a bit of harvesting to do, yet, but the quickening need to get to it is palpable.
Thank you Scotlyn, and Happy Birthday!
Extraordinary. And the photo you chose with the caption at the beginning embodied sovereign relating so beautifully. "Yes, and" is a lot harder than it sounds, which you articulated powerfully. This gave me a lot of beautiful things to muse on and I will be returning to it. Thank you always.
Thank you Stephanie! I didn't know what photo I might use for this post - since most of my photos are of the natural world and not people, and I would feel strange using a photo of anyone I know - and then I discovered that one.
Thank you, Markael. Wise and compassionate, and I resonate with almost all of what you say. Lots to respond to (but not now). I would add, however, that some empaths take on too much of another's stuff so that they suffer more than they 'should': something to guard against, I think, as one then becomes less able to respond appropriately, and offer authentically. I know that's not where you were going but it can be a real issue.
Thank you Roselle, and thank you for that reminder as well. There is a difference between being present to and understanding of another's experience, and fully taking on their experience as our own to the extent that we lose touch with our own inner world.
I appreciate this post! Interesting that all 4 of my online newsletters I checked this morning are about human connection. Yours truly resonated with me. Also thank you for telling me about tomorrow's seasonal turning. I didn't know its name but I love it.
Thank you Corina!
I have found, surprisingly often, that writers I follow cover the same topics at the same times. I perceive it as a sort of synchronicity, an affirmation that we are weaving in alignment with a larger current. After all, I have no idea, a month out, what I will write next, and also no real idea where my inspiration comes from...