We often imagine storytelling as a grand act — a sweeping account or treatise of who we are, where we’ve been, what we’ve survived, and what we’ve learned. Something cohesive. Something definitive. Something that explains everything. But that kind of storytelling — the autobiographical, whole-of-life summary — is not only daunting; it’s also rarely where … Continue reading The Story Told Is the Story Known: On the Power of Small Stories
Life Learning
Tradition: peer pressure from dead people?
The places you have walkedI consider holy groundAnd I will love the things you love despite my prior thoughts about – You in everything, Gang of Youths. In an album replete with songs reflecting his father’s passing, I was struck by David Le'aupepe's lyric. For me it speaks of a question that many of us … Continue reading Tradition: peer pressure from dead people?
On insulation: When compartmentalisation hurts as much as it helps
I was in a moment praying a while ago, asking for wisdom and guidance, and a weirdly specific and innocuous image came to mind: Insulation. Styrofoam peanuts. Bubble wrap. Photo by RODNAE Productions on Pexels.com Random, right? Perhaps not. For what does insulation do? Protects. Surrounds. Insulation keeps things safe. It stops breakage. It … Continue reading On insulation: When compartmentalisation hurts as much as it helps
I don’t know what to call this post: Or, on a life of chronic indecisiveness.
My friend Eleanor is one of the most decisive people I know. In the time I've had the pleasure of calling her friend, I don't think I've ever seen her doubt herself, once. She knows what she wants in life, in meals, in relationships, in fashion choices, in her faith, and in her tile choice … Continue reading I don’t know what to call this post: Or, on a life of chronic indecisiveness.
“I’m here while you’re in it”: On being accompanied when you’re at your worst.
In a recent session with my genius therapist she encouraged me to speak of what was making me angry. "Tell me one thing that's making you angry.""Just one thing?" I replied. (I'm funny, friends)."Start with one. We'll work our way from there." I then shared some aspects of anger (a particularly potent emotion for me). … Continue reading “I’m here while you’re in it”: On being accompanied when you’re at your worst.
Expertly Amateur
I've been a mum for 2 weeks now. As others have said before me, prior to meeting your bubs, you try to imagine both the emotion you'll feel for your little one, and also the way that it will change your life. Both imaginations failed dismally to what I've felt and experienced in the past … Continue reading Expertly Amateur
Better With Pockets 