Especially, the part about a culture that's at war with the nearly infinite variety of ways humans are embodied, is at war with embodiment itself. Truer words were never spoken. The strange urge to get rid of as much life as possible is something I've never understood.
Likewise, Rob. I teach the art & craft of telling personal tales so that I can spark the community that comes from sharing our stories with one another, listening deeply, appreciating the commonalities & differences. We are lighthouses to each other.
Brilliant essay. I agree with all of it. I have always respected the incredible courage of those who choose to come out and subject themselves to the inevitable criticism and harassment, so they can live being true to themselves. We are all part of one human race.
great :) allways thought the error of the sentence "freedom stops where the other's one begins" and believe, prefer and choose:"freedom begins WITH the other's one"
Oh my, oh my... exclamations like this... Holy Cow... what the...? I couldn't stop. Each paragraph of your opening essay provided support for the next, more powerful one... it didn't let up. This is amazing, thank you so very much for clarifying, standing proud, calling this out from the hilltops, singing it to the stars.. magnificent. You have clarity that I'm striving for. I see what you see, feel what you feel, but haven't yet codified it this well, so that my wet brain matter can play with the language (language forms concepts in the brain, much like the bars of a jungle gym, so that we may climb and swing and hoist and drop and re-invent movement all over again.)
Rob, this is about the best damned thing I've read in years and beyond all else, I REALLY needed it today. Gracias, amigo, gracias.
Thank you for the Andrew Harvey quote. My heart does indeed break regularly. And, similar to what Kahil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, I believe the pain and sorrow carves out more room for joy 🧡🔆
It's akin to the tender heart or the genuine heart of sadness in Shambala Buddhism. It connects us to the sadness or heartbreak that others experience so we can understand and support.
Yes, to Gibran. I have had a hard bound copy since the early Hippie Chick daze. Yes, to my breaking open my heart so to love again and again. Thank you from this Minnesotan Renegade Crone.
I was having this same conversation with a beloved earlier today and voila, came upon your weekly post - the Universe is wild with It’s cosmic irony of serendipity!
Thank you for putting what is central before us (me) so wisely and well!
Rob your language is exquisite. And every word is a deed, adding weight to the impetus for a different way-of-life, a society of mutual care, somewhere unlike the America as it exists now. Scandinavia maybe? Spent some time in France in the spring of last year. I imagined myself remaining, as the French small towns evinced a vibe of a place where a stranger could find friends, and become happy.
Keep writing good words my friend. The work makes a difference.
Thirty-seven years ago, my 88 y.o. husband became CEO of the small company for which he'd worked off and on for two decades. He was one of the first small companies in the USA to open up their health plan to cover domestic partners. He actively supported gay marriage. He was one of the first in his male-dominated industry to intentionally ask women to step into available training and promote them to leadership positions. He actively campaigned for candidates who supported these things. His company flourished. What Rob writes about, the early impression of patriarchy on its male children, is absolute gospel truth. It is deeply ingrained. As my husband approaches 90, he sometimes loses parts of himself and questions whether it's "fair to women" to be asked to take in leadership roles when they have also children to care for, marriages to tend, are targets for workplace sexual assault, and - - - and his daughter and I respond, "Don't worry, dear. Women can handle all that. But if you're truly concerned about fairness, how about getting other, younger males to be as enlightened as you were, and ask everyone to fight for affordable, quality childcare and family leave, which benefits women and men!" He always responds, "Oh yes. Of course, that's right. What are we going to do about all that?!"
Sun sign Virgo here, Rising Sagittarius and Moon in Leo. I am a complex creature! 😊 I have followed you for decades and this piece is one of the most exquisite, articulate and beautiful ones. We are so fortunate for your dedication to the human race. ❣️ from Minnesota!
Beautiful, bold, brave, brazen! I'm going for the big Bs this week as inspiration from your words. May we all be inspired by something, someone, some idea written down.
Especially, the part about a culture that's at war with the nearly infinite variety of ways humans are embodied, is at war with embodiment itself. Truer words were never spoken. The strange urge to get rid of as much life as possible is something I've never understood.
Keeping an open heart in these times is courageous & revolutionary. Thank you for your beautiful words. We really are all in this together.
So gorgeous.
Likewise, Rob. I teach the art & craft of telling personal tales so that I can spark the community that comes from sharing our stories with one another, listening deeply, appreciating the commonalities & differences. We are lighthouses to each other.
Even the back-and-forth with fellow commentators on my several Substack posts that I subscribe to, has been so enriching, mutually rewarding!
As Rob is saying, we need community more than ever from the ground up - on the local level!
Indeed! The power of the people is in their grassrootedness stories - and potlucks.
Brilliant essay. I agree with all of it. I have always respected the incredible courage of those who choose to come out and subject themselves to the inevitable criticism and harassment, so they can live being true to themselves. We are all part of one human race.
great :) allways thought the error of the sentence "freedom stops where the other's one begins" and believe, prefer and choose:"freedom begins WITH the other's one"
Oh my, oh my... exclamations like this... Holy Cow... what the...? I couldn't stop. Each paragraph of your opening essay provided support for the next, more powerful one... it didn't let up. This is amazing, thank you so very much for clarifying, standing proud, calling this out from the hilltops, singing it to the stars.. magnificent. You have clarity that I'm striving for. I see what you see, feel what you feel, but haven't yet codified it this well, so that my wet brain matter can play with the language (language forms concepts in the brain, much like the bars of a jungle gym, so that we may climb and swing and hoist and drop and re-invent movement all over again.)
Rob, this is about the best damned thing I've read in years and beyond all else, I REALLY needed it today. Gracias, amigo, gracias.
Thank you for the Andrew Harvey quote. My heart does indeed break regularly. And, similar to what Kahil Gibran wrote in The Prophet, I believe the pain and sorrow carves out more room for joy 🧡🔆
It's akin to the tender heart or the genuine heart of sadness in Shambala Buddhism. It connects us to the sadness or heartbreak that others experience so we can understand and support.
Yes! 🔆
Yes, to Gibran. I have had a hard bound copy since the early Hippie Chick daze. Yes, to my breaking open my heart so to love again and again. Thank you from this Minnesotan Renegade Crone.
Rob:
I was having this same conversation with a beloved earlier today and voila, came upon your weekly post - the Universe is wild with It’s cosmic irony of serendipity!
Thank you for putting what is central before us (me) so wisely and well!
Rob your language is exquisite. And every word is a deed, adding weight to the impetus for a different way-of-life, a society of mutual care, somewhere unlike the America as it exists now. Scandinavia maybe? Spent some time in France in the spring of last year. I imagined myself remaining, as the French small towns evinced a vibe of a place where a stranger could find friends, and become happy.
Keep writing good words my friend. The work makes a difference.
Thirty-seven years ago, my 88 y.o. husband became CEO of the small company for which he'd worked off and on for two decades. He was one of the first small companies in the USA to open up their health plan to cover domestic partners. He actively supported gay marriage. He was one of the first in his male-dominated industry to intentionally ask women to step into available training and promote them to leadership positions. He actively campaigned for candidates who supported these things. His company flourished. What Rob writes about, the early impression of patriarchy on its male children, is absolute gospel truth. It is deeply ingrained. As my husband approaches 90, he sometimes loses parts of himself and questions whether it's "fair to women" to be asked to take in leadership roles when they have also children to care for, marriages to tend, are targets for workplace sexual assault, and - - - and his daughter and I respond, "Don't worry, dear. Women can handle all that. But if you're truly concerned about fairness, how about getting other, younger males to be as enlightened as you were, and ask everyone to fight for affordable, quality childcare and family leave, which benefits women and men!" He always responds, "Oh yes. Of course, that's right. What are we going to do about all that?!"
Amen!
So brilliant at every turn! Thank you!
I think this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read.😢
Agreed! 🔥🥰🔥
Sun sign Virgo here, Rising Sagittarius and Moon in Leo. I am a complex creature! 😊 I have followed you for decades and this piece is one of the most exquisite, articulate and beautiful ones. We are so fortunate for your dedication to the human race. ❣️ from Minnesota!
Beautiful, bold, brave, brazen! I'm going for the big Bs this week as inspiration from your words. May we all be inspired by something, someone, some idea written down.