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Meg Menkedick's avatar

I drove (well, sat in a car ;) for two hours to watch my grandson’s basketball game when I was tired and starting to get a headache, but I really wanted to be there for him. We had a coffee which took away the headache, and I ended up having a lovely time.

This was a particularly good newsletter. I hope your Art Hurt heals quickly x

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Sarah Menkedick's avatar

Ha, one day! I think it is the human condition, though. Only something we can become more and more aware of.

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Jen Machajewski's avatar

I really appreciated what you wrote today (I only recently started following). And actually leaving a comment (instead of read, scroll, read) is my act of kindness today. I know putting words out into the world and not hearing much back (not even an echo sometime) doesn’t feel good. So I just wanted to say, I am glad I read what you wrote today.

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Sarah Menkedick's avatar

Thank you, Jen! I love this act. Simple, poignant, very much appreciated.

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Alice Elgie's avatar

I also try to incorporate little acts of kindness into my days...a smile, having tea and listening when I don't really have time, plaiting my daughter's hair when I don't have the time...allowing myself to stop, when I "think" I don't have the time. Kindness to others AND to myself. Yes. Always enjoy reading your words, but don't often comment, so thank you for the prompt to do so!

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Sarah Menkedick's avatar

Yes! So much is just slowing down! And I love how you say "think" I don't have the time. It's such a default mode. If we become aware for just an instant we can realize that we do have the minute, two minutes, to be present. I'm always appalled at how I always feel I don't have the time and then I get sucked into like, twenty minutes of useless misery on my phone! Amazing. Thanks for reading and for the comment.

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Alice Elgie's avatar

That "think" is my main enemy. I have to remind myself to take a breath in all that I do and not get carried away. Just breathe. Like you say, we always have time to be present! I'm aiming for the point where I don't need to "have a word" with myself to remind me of that fact. One day!

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Ailsa Ross's avatar

I'm making sure to write to a friend who's going through a bit of a bad time, just to check-in. They did the same for me not too long ago. And I feel more and more that we just go through cycles, where sometimes we're riding high and full of good and beautiful thoughts – and in those moments we can really be there for others. And sometimes we're down in the muck and might need a little help ourselves. And that's okay. That just is. We'll meet that part of ourselves again and again. And while I'm the one with the energy, I can help my friend as they helped me.

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Sarah Menkedick's avatar

Yes – I love this. I love the thought of using that energy while we have it, but also of being able to ask for help when we don't. And knowing it feels good – at least for me – to be asked and it also feels good to give. Thank you!

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Ailsa Ross's avatar

No thank you, for your newsletter. Sincerely, I can feel myself loving it more and more!

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Melissa Gopp-Warner (she/her)'s avatar

I am also in my 40s and a writer and a runner and a parent. Thank you for sharing this. Your words are beautiful and needed.

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Sarah Menkedick's avatar

Thank you, Melissa!

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