8 Comments
Mar 3Liked by anne richardson

Thank you for this much needed, beautifully written, post.

Expand full comment
author

thank you reading and your kindness.

Expand full comment

I enjoy the way you write Anne. Glad that we have connected through our posts and I too have been a follower of Sharon.

My main joy of seasons is also winter and I do miss the major snows of New England. Pennsylvania is a huge state and I now live on the south eastern portion. We don’t get those snows, and when we have in the past, people don’t have the same joy about it (in general). I love taking off my layers as spring begins to arrive also. Tremendously happy season of winter in the spring.

I concur.❤️

Expand full comment
author

thank you for sharing a wee bit of your story. my daughter went to college in Huntingdon, PA...quite a change from the Pacific NW. and yes to being a fellow imbiber of Sharon's wisdom. Looking forward to her next book in October.

and thank you for your kind words.

Expand full comment
Mar 3Liked by anne richardson

i always think of this poem of Blake's---- about life. it soothes the soul

“It is right it should be so;

Man was made for joy and woe;

And when this we rightly know,

Thro' the world we safely go.

Joy and woe are woven fine,

A clothing for the soul divine.

Under every grief and pine

Runs a joy with silken twine.

Expand full comment
author

oh thank you for this! a new one for me. so beautiful...and yes, soul soothing.

Expand full comment
Mar 3Liked by anne richardson

I love this. As an empath and HSP I’ve often wondered if I am just simply too porous for this world. Still learning how to develop boundaries, and like you said, not carry others’ pain but witness without taking it on. It makes it so hard to witness suffering and often times to be a teacher when I see my students thrust into unfair circumstances, so many adverse childhood experiences, putting them on a rough life path when they did absolutely nothing to earn that pain that will likely continue with them forever. I love how you keep that broken heart by your keyboard is a reminder. 💔

Expand full comment
author

thank you Summer for witnessing your students (i've also heard it called with-nessing.)

i've had wise mentors along the way who teach me how to be able to live with my empathic open heart. one image they offer is to imagine i am holding an bowl in front of me that holds the story: pain, joy, anger, etc...i can release what might linger in me into that sacred bowl. rituals help and from your writing i can guess you have those. and i'm still learning how to navigate these overwhelming times. the information age is hard on us.

and boundaries! oof...that has been such a journey. as a 5-star co-dependent (now in recovery) and a nine on the enneagram (peacemaker) i spent years trying to fix everyone my empathic self encountered. and were they grateful! nope-lol.

anyway, my friend (feels like we are becoming friends now), please take gentle care of your tender, empathic, HS heart.

Expand full comment