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Jan Harrill's avatar

I love this article. I need to read it every day! There are things I have felt guilty about, that I don’t now. 1) Such as not having so many outings. I can be happy with fewer outings (Covid happening the year I retired helped with my isolation) , because I have contact with many online, with the occasional outing. Another example, 2) being overwhelmed: clearing out old photos, papers, etc. I will try to do small bits at a time, maybe that will help. I have pictures I want to digitize of my kids mostly, that is so hard to narrow down. Although I have my dad’s pics, my mom’s pics and my own that make the mountain of picture enormous.

Thank you for sharing. Your thoughts help me a lot.

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Lisa Wagoner's avatar

Thank you so much! That is always my goal, so I am glad it resonated. Yes, one bit at a time keeps me from getting overwhelmed and helps keep me going. Keep me posted, I bet it will help in the long run.

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Tallis Harrill's avatar

Good advice - as usual! And great to hear the Parkway will be taken care of, for at least a little bit longer.

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Lisa Wagoner's avatar

Each day is an adventure over here. Here's hoping they have enough staff to help take care of it. It looked so raggedy and unkempt, with garbage strewn around. What is wrong with people? How can you throw a bottle or can out the window when faced with such beauty? Aggravating. But thankful there might be help in sight. Thanks for commenting!

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Shelley Lieber's avatar

This is the second well-written newsletter I received today about living with uncertainty. Thank you for your insights and demonstrating how to navigate these uncertain times.

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Lisa Wagoner's avatar

Thank you, Shelley! I am sure it’s on all our minds at the moment. Some, more than others.

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Lee Ann Prescott's avatar

I treasure my moments with you each Sunday. I love the image of you preparing your coffee, then sitting down for a nice chat with me -- invariably a chat that speaks to my very soul. It's a restorative experience every time, and I treasure it.

Thanks, too, for discussing the importance of gratitude. Any time I find myself in a pit of despair, reviewing my gratitude list can re-center me by offering tangible evidence that I am blessed beyond measure, because despite the horrors of the world, right now I have what I need to live a fulfilling life.

Further, your point about community really hits home, because I have felt my community drawing closer to me lately, offering help and support just when I feel as if the larger world is simply flying to pieces all around me, in ways utterly beyond my control.

And spirituality: it is the one thing no one can steal from me. It is private and entirely mine to pull out for a spin around the track when I find myself feeling hopeless and scared. All I have to do is reach out and connect to that sense of safety in my soul despite the external horrors.

Thank you so much for yet another Substack that reaches deep into me. I hope you have a lovely week, and I'll meet you back here next Sunday for more of our delightful visits together.

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Lisa Wagoner's avatar

Thank you so much, Lee Ann! This warmed my heart tremendously. Even if you end up the only person reading my Substacks and feeling this way, it is very much worth it to me. I so appreciate how you "get" what I write, and I am so glad this entry resonated with you.

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