‘He told the kid, who had attempted suicide multiple times already, you may have done that three times, but you also survived three times. Why do you think that is? You have purpose — what is it?
The kid paused.
THEN, out of the 12 year old kids mouth, came the following words:
“Because I’m here to help people.”’
Wow this gave me so many chills. I love this story. The way it ripples through all of your hearts, how your experiences are intertwined. It really speaks to how life is a divine tragedy at times. It outlines the beauty in the darkness we traverse. 🔥
It is profound, and gives great hope. I was that 12 year old once. To hear such truths from the mouth of what I still consider to be a child — this is one of the greatest gifts. Thank you for reading and sharing your words. Tragedy, Love, Miracles, Divine, all of it - yes.
Tess, the unpacking was beautiful, and cringeworthy in a good way, in the sense I could feel your words. I am hesitant to mention the hero's journey, but it makes use of both mentors and a zeroed-in focus on dark events/struggles. The interesting thing, it turns dark stuff into strengths, by accenting the contrast with light. Instead of glossing it over, its embraced to accent and extend the range of experience. A good example is Whoopi Goldberg's breakthrough moment, one of the skits she's wearing a T'shirt as a proxy for blond hair, both incredibly painful and funny. https://youtu.be/mawCAR1vOFo?feature=shared&t=1690
Thank you for your truth. “Because I’m here to help people.”
For some, we know our purpose aligns with this. For most, this is contrary to Dominant culture which is all they know. It has been said that just *knowing*a thing is possible is enough to open the door to inner wisdom. May we all come to see this truth and begin to act wisely. 🙏❤️
Likewise. your article from earlier was echoing in my mind even during meditation. there were numerous things in there i really needed to read, especially today.
All great lessons about living life well come down to recognizing your own power and how you use it.
Taking care of oneself is only a part of the necessary use of power in one's life. Another use is the manner in which you consciously or unconsciously apply your power to the benefit or detriment of others.
Because of the ambiguous nature of manifest existence, 'doing good' and 'doing harm' are commingled.
Our energy is wasted on 'the perfect' when 'a little bit better' applied again and again in small, everyday ways can start making things better long before 'the perfect' has even gotten off the drawing board.
wow. what you said here last. "our energy is wasted on the perfect" --- "a little bit better again and again in small ways" THANK YOU SO MUCH. That is heard LOUD AND CLEAR and it was so needed. thank you.
what you said about shame here, "shame is an ugly projection of a reflection judged, and guilt is accepting it as our own" -- this is beautiful, thank you.
Lessons learned.
The world around us burns as we learn.
To be an arrogant jerk and quote myself.
" It is not the flame that burns
It is only you that learns,
No matter how we twist and turn,
It is only you that burns.
When we bleed it turns to rust,
We called the tune because we must."
Omg why won’t it let me restack this. This is so beautiful.., thank you
https://donnharperjr.substack.com/p/it-is-not-the-flame-that-burns-602?utm_medium=reader2
‘He told the kid, who had attempted suicide multiple times already, you may have done that three times, but you also survived three times. Why do you think that is? You have purpose — what is it?
The kid paused.
THEN, out of the 12 year old kids mouth, came the following words:
“Because I’m here to help people.”’
Wow this gave me so many chills. I love this story. The way it ripples through all of your hearts, how your experiences are intertwined. It really speaks to how life is a divine tragedy at times. It outlines the beauty in the darkness we traverse. 🔥
It is profound, and gives great hope. I was that 12 year old once. To hear such truths from the mouth of what I still consider to be a child — this is one of the greatest gifts. Thank you for reading and sharing your words. Tragedy, Love, Miracles, Divine, all of it - yes.
Tess, the unpacking was beautiful, and cringeworthy in a good way, in the sense I could feel your words. I am hesitant to mention the hero's journey, but it makes use of both mentors and a zeroed-in focus on dark events/struggles. The interesting thing, it turns dark stuff into strengths, by accenting the contrast with light. Instead of glossing it over, its embraced to accent and extend the range of experience. A good example is Whoopi Goldberg's breakthrough moment, one of the skits she's wearing a T'shirt as a proxy for blond hair, both incredibly painful and funny. https://youtu.be/mawCAR1vOFo?feature=shared&t=1690
i am so appreciative of your thoughtful perspective and commentary. I'm glad I came across you n your work all those months ago. THANK. YOU!
Thank you for your truth. “Because I’m here to help people.”
For some, we know our purpose aligns with this. For most, this is contrary to Dominant culture which is all they know. It has been said that just *knowing*a thing is possible is enough to open the door to inner wisdom. May we all come to see this truth and begin to act wisely. 🙏❤️
Amen a thousand times to this. Thank you friend. I appreciate you so much. 🙏❤️
Excellent post! Bravo! We are all walking each other home. Brilliant!
I'm glad the heaviness is gone from you.
Thanks for writing this!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing! Grateful for everyone and everything — even when things are haywire and painful !
So much raw and real goodness in here. Thank you for sharing. It helps people. 🙏
Likewise. your article from earlier was echoing in my mind even during meditation. there were numerous things in there i really needed to read, especially today.
Thank you for writing it even though you weren’t sure why. I’ve been shown that Helping the next person with your gift is how to hold onto it.
Here’s a song about your friend’s statement.
https://youtu.be/PckHFCEngmc?si=XPYXb6EDVUdojuO7
thank you so much for this 😭
Good stuff dude! 🔥👏
yes to bowling btw
F yeah bring people too!! It should be fun.
Great post.
All great lessons about living life well come down to recognizing your own power and how you use it.
Taking care of oneself is only a part of the necessary use of power in one's life. Another use is the manner in which you consciously or unconsciously apply your power to the benefit or detriment of others.
Because of the ambiguous nature of manifest existence, 'doing good' and 'doing harm' are commingled.
Our energy is wasted on 'the perfect' when 'a little bit better' applied again and again in small, everyday ways can start making things better long before 'the perfect' has even gotten off the drawing board.
wow. what you said here last. "our energy is wasted on the perfect" --- "a little bit better again and again in small ways" THANK YOU SO MUCH. That is heard LOUD AND CLEAR and it was so needed. thank you.
Take care, my friend 💙🙏💫🥰🤗
You too 🙏❤️🙏
I will 💙🙏💫
what you said about shame here, "shame is an ugly projection of a reflection judged, and guilt is accepting it as our own" -- this is beautiful, thank you.