Thank you for putting this into words and for being so relatable. I find myself doing this very thing, staring at a closed door, instead of being grateful for the time it was open. A good reminder not to miss the future while we mourn the past.
You’re so welcome Van. Thanks for being here. For what it’s worth, that gratitude piece is tricky for me when it comes to grief. Depending on the situation, sometimes that part just hurts too. There’s a Counting Crows lyric--“the price of a memory is the memory of the sorrow it brings.” I wonder if at times it’s just about trying to be present, finding that next open door.
Thanks Hannah! I so appreciate your support. And no worries--I know it’s a hike from where you guys live. Hopefully another event will happen closer sometime soon.
again, thanks for your words that so many can relate to. you have a way with words, bud. i love what you said about healing: “And maybe healing happens when we realize that we still have some power, we still get to make a bunch of choices every single day.” so true. keep on writing, friend. you’re making an impact.
Wow! I love the analogies of doors. I don't think I have been able to see my entire life from the perspective that doors may be closed and locked for a reason on a given day but may be unlocked for future use or perhaps never be used. Mostly, I've only seen doors as a way to try to escape or be trapped. However, over the past few years, I've opened a door that has led me to being creative again. I definitely couldn't have opened this door without so many hours that others set aside for me to work through so many scary places. Thank you for your positive words.
Sebastian, thank you for the question. Jamie, thank you for the answer. One thing I thought about is your decision to step away from TWLOHA—a space and a door that was absolutely familiar for you for 15 years. I don't want to assume, but I assume there may have been moments where you looked long and hard at that door again and wondered if you should have ever walked out of it. Yet, here you are, forging forward and still sharing your heart in all new ways via new doors. I just want to take a moment to acknowledge you and the strength, courage, trust, vulnerability, and faith you showed in the face of what may have been one of your tougher choices.
Thank you so much for taking time to write a reply to my question again Jamie. I'm sorry that it's taken me until now to get to reading it (it's been a tough time for health reasons mental and physical). As always your words have great power, they resonate a lot and you're right, I did step away from things with my wellbeing in mind and I think that sometimes I get lonely to the point of missing the people that I stepped away from in that place, but remembering the reasons I stepped away is important, because that's what helped me decide to step away. And I'm lucky that I have 2 best friends who I can talk to about things like this, they can remind me not to go back to those closed doors. But they work and I'm also navigating the crippling thought I have a lot that I'm annoying people just by existing (even when they tell me I'm not). But all of that I'm working on, I learned a long time ago that recovery and healing are definitely not linear, I'm also beginning to wonder if they ever stop and I'm not sure they do. But I am proud of myself at the moment for the steps I've been taking in my mental and physical health struggles to get back to a place of wellness. I have a scary doctors appointment in the morning and I'm having to face some scary health things but I'm letting myself be proud of the courage I have in facing them and not just running away from them like I might have in the past. But yes, thank you again Jamie for your response and for such powerful relatable writing. I'm always always so grateful to you!
This is really helpful for me. I don't think about past doors and closed doors as much as I think about the multitude of doors that could open....especially the scary doors.
But I think looking at the doors that have been opened before and appreciating them...and also focusing on the things every day that are within control really helps to have some idea of peace even in the potential for scary stuff in the future.
Thank you for putting this into words and for being so relatable. I find myself doing this very thing, staring at a closed door, instead of being grateful for the time it was open. A good reminder not to miss the future while we mourn the past.
You’re so welcome Van. Thanks for being here. For what it’s worth, that gratitude piece is tricky for me when it comes to grief. Depending on the situation, sometimes that part just hurts too. There’s a Counting Crows lyric--“the price of a memory is the memory of the sorrow it brings.” I wonder if at times it’s just about trying to be present, finding that next open door.
Beautifully written and deeply resonates, thank you for sharing. I wish we could make the VA event!
Thanks Hannah! I so appreciate your support. And no worries--I know it’s a hike from where you guys live. Hopefully another event will happen closer sometime soon.
again, thanks for your words that so many can relate to. you have a way with words, bud. i love what you said about healing: “And maybe healing happens when we realize that we still have some power, we still get to make a bunch of choices every single day.” so true. keep on writing, friend. you’re making an impact.
Thanks Ty. These kind words mean a lot. I appreciate you.
thanks for sharing, jamie. hope you have a good weekend.
You’re so welcome Ryan. Thanks for being here. And right back at ya. 😊
Wow! I love the analogies of doors. I don't think I have been able to see my entire life from the perspective that doors may be closed and locked for a reason on a given day but may be unlocked for future use or perhaps never be used. Mostly, I've only seen doors as a way to try to escape or be trapped. However, over the past few years, I've opened a door that has led me to being creative again. I definitely couldn't have opened this door without so many hours that others set aside for me to work through so many scary places. Thank you for your positive words.
Sebastian, thank you for the question. Jamie, thank you for the answer. One thing I thought about is your decision to step away from TWLOHA—a space and a door that was absolutely familiar for you for 15 years. I don't want to assume, but I assume there may have been moments where you looked long and hard at that door again and wondered if you should have ever walked out of it. Yet, here you are, forging forward and still sharing your heart in all new ways via new doors. I just want to take a moment to acknowledge you and the strength, courage, trust, vulnerability, and faith you showed in the face of what may have been one of your tougher choices.
Thank you so much for taking time to write a reply to my question again Jamie. I'm sorry that it's taken me until now to get to reading it (it's been a tough time for health reasons mental and physical). As always your words have great power, they resonate a lot and you're right, I did step away from things with my wellbeing in mind and I think that sometimes I get lonely to the point of missing the people that I stepped away from in that place, but remembering the reasons I stepped away is important, because that's what helped me decide to step away. And I'm lucky that I have 2 best friends who I can talk to about things like this, they can remind me not to go back to those closed doors. But they work and I'm also navigating the crippling thought I have a lot that I'm annoying people just by existing (even when they tell me I'm not). But all of that I'm working on, I learned a long time ago that recovery and healing are definitely not linear, I'm also beginning to wonder if they ever stop and I'm not sure they do. But I am proud of myself at the moment for the steps I've been taking in my mental and physical health struggles to get back to a place of wellness. I have a scary doctors appointment in the morning and I'm having to face some scary health things but I'm letting myself be proud of the courage I have in facing them and not just running away from them like I might have in the past. But yes, thank you again Jamie for your response and for such powerful relatable writing. I'm always always so grateful to you!
This is really helpful for me. I don't think about past doors and closed doors as much as I think about the multitude of doors that could open....especially the scary doors.
But I think looking at the doors that have been opened before and appreciating them...and also focusing on the things every day that are within control really helps to have some idea of peace even in the potential for scary stuff in the future.