I miiiight need to try this. I started daily journaling (a practice I loathe because I want to burn every page in the largest fire), and I realize at the end of *most* days when I write that I am incredibly angry or sad or hopeless and that writing something -anything -good that may have happened will be a falsehood - a way to polish something that isn’t? I don’t know if this makes any sense.
That Laura Cathcart Robbins piece and video are both SO great. Wow. I recently had an experience doing a talk in Idaho where, especially at the airport, it sucked to be verbally headlocked by white people telling me their "funny" Indian stories that really aren't funny at all. I could so relate to everything she had to say.
Today I met with a friend who is the executive director of a conservation organization that I am technically a member of the "advisory" board though I have advised on absolutely nothing. Their board is very white, with two exceptions. So I looked at the boards of a couple other, larger organizations I've done work with, and they are overwhelmingly white. It is sickening to me. How can they not see it? These are just raindrops in the ocean and it's fucking hard.
I think that book dealt with it quite a bit. His novels may not be your cup of tea but I know Dr. Sleep, Fairy Tale and the one I’m reading right now- Later- all deal with it to One degree on another. Happy thanksgiving to you and Yours, Holly. I am thankful for all the support and insight you have gifted to me over the years.
I love this reframed gratitude approach. Will be helpful given the nervous and jerky energy the holiday season sets off for me. Also, your 10 things are consistently amazing. I feel like i want to record one of those “unboxing videos” as I open each link and marvel at the treasure. Is that already a thing?
I'm grateful for you. I randomly came across your book while struggling with sobriety after decades of alcohol abuse... It took me from a white knuckle experience to completely NQingTD. Now I'm spending Thanksgiving alone after sending my family off to various places and I couldn't be happier for the time to recharge. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I had not read the piece by Laura Cathcart Robbins, nor seen the TED talk. As a fan of Cheryl Strayed, and as an Indigenous woman of colour, my reaction was a big sigh ... familiarity of the reality, mixed with frustration that still this happens in 2022. And I wondered, given how much coverage the written and TED talk received, whether Cheryl Strayed or Liz Gilbert responded at all?
In with my big sigh was big love - for your friend, Laura Cathcart Robbins - for speaking truth and calling out to those who have the wisdom to be better, and the platform to do better.
And thank you Holly for sharing. I am grateful to have been guided to your substack!
King, in recovery now for many years, has done a very good job of elegantly weaving alcohol abuse issues into many of his recent works.
Oh and by the way, at the risk of sounding creepy, I would be happy to share a glass of milk with you at any time, at any place.
I miiiight need to try this. I started daily journaling (a practice I loathe because I want to burn every page in the largest fire), and I realize at the end of *most* days when I write that I am incredibly angry or sad or hopeless and that writing something -anything -good that may have happened will be a falsehood - a way to polish something that isn’t? I don’t know if this makes any sense.
Therapy wolves!
That Laura Cathcart Robbins piece and video are both SO great. Wow. I recently had an experience doing a talk in Idaho where, especially at the airport, it sucked to be verbally headlocked by white people telling me their "funny" Indian stories that really aren't funny at all. I could so relate to everything she had to say.
Today I met with a friend who is the executive director of a conservation organization that I am technically a member of the "advisory" board though I have advised on absolutely nothing. Their board is very white, with two exceptions. So I looked at the boards of a couple other, larger organizations I've done work with, and they are overwhelmingly white. It is sickening to me. How can they not see it? These are just raindrops in the ocean and it's fucking hard.
I think that book dealt with it quite a bit. His novels may not be your cup of tea but I know Dr. Sleep, Fairy Tale and the one I’m reading right now- Later- all deal with it to One degree on another. Happy thanksgiving to you and Yours, Holly. I am thankful for all the support and insight you have gifted to me over the years.
I love this reframed gratitude approach. Will be helpful given the nervous and jerky energy the holiday season sets off for me. Also, your 10 things are consistently amazing. I feel like i want to record one of those “unboxing videos” as I open each link and marvel at the treasure. Is that already a thing?
I'm grateful for you. I randomly came across your book while struggling with sobriety after decades of alcohol abuse... It took me from a white knuckle experience to completely NQingTD. Now I'm spending Thanksgiving alone after sending my family off to various places and I couldn't be happier for the time to recharge. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Kia ora from Aotearoa New Zealand
I had not read the piece by Laura Cathcart Robbins, nor seen the TED talk. As a fan of Cheryl Strayed, and as an Indigenous woman of colour, my reaction was a big sigh ... familiarity of the reality, mixed with frustration that still this happens in 2022. And I wondered, given how much coverage the written and TED talk received, whether Cheryl Strayed or Liz Gilbert responded at all?
In with my big sigh was big love - for your friend, Laura Cathcart Robbins - for speaking truth and calling out to those who have the wisdom to be better, and the platform to do better.
And thank you Holly for sharing. I am grateful to have been guided to your substack!