This warmed my heart, Stephanie. Connection, community. It's everything. Your incredible witnessing was the key - for all parties. You set a good example. Appreciate you.
I learn a lot about community from you, Jeanne, from how you facilitate to how you show up in the circles you work with. Maybe that's what the heart of community is -- that we lift each other up, and allow ourselves to be lifted.
At an art group a few weeks ago, one of the women was worried about doing an artist statement. And I said, ‘oh that’s easy’. Another replied, “Of course, it is for you. You’re a writer.” It stopped me cold because I don’t think of myself as a ‘writer’ anymore. Decades ago, I was an advertising writer. Not a fiction or poetry or ‘real’ writer. I once tried to write a story and 300 pages in, threw it all away and turned my creative energy into painting and, then clay. Now, decades later, I wonder, is it too late? I’ve always journaled to help myself and blogged but that’s different than real writing. And what would I write about? Thanks for sharing your story
And in you short paragraph, you shared a story too -- so that must make you a writer as well. There are a lot of places and a lot of ways to live and share the writing life. May you meet as many of them as possible. After all, the rest of your stories want to be told as well.
What a fulfilling experience, Stephanie. And you have just given me a fantastic idea for my own teaching journey. Community outreach volunteer! OMG, there must be so many places where young women, elders, or battered wives would benefit from what I've done multiple times: WRITING TO HEAL! Thank you for sharing this.
RIGHT ON, Marilea. One's writing life expands from such work! We can do good with a pen and an intention, and WRITING TO HEAL is already in place, just waiting . .. Big hugs.
This was the perfect solution for teaching writing. I wonder what would happen with kids in school classrooms if they were given the time to write something like this every day. Given time for free reading, too. Just time ... to process what the teacher tried to teach them that day. Maybe it was just the teachers I knew in my daughter's classes, but it seemed they were tied to a schedule and rigorous curriculum expectations, doling out lessons in 20 minutes increments. The kids were rushed from one thing to the next without having the time to organize themselves for the lessons or even to process it. Having a half hour at the end of the day to let them journal their day would be interesting to see the results.
Gorgeous, Stephanie! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful art and beautiful heart. I deeply resonated with all that you shared; the girls, yourself, the wisdom, the writing, the Tarot, the healing, the whole She-Bang! Sending you so much love and gratitude for your presence and for sharing this outer / inner space with us. Oh, how the Divine Feminine sparkles through you. ✨💛✨
Deborah, One day I would relish a conversation with you about the Tarot and how images and symbols can inform insight and growth. Thank you for being here.
In my second poetry collection: The Shepherd's Daughter, I include my entire Major Arcana journey starting with The Fool and finishing with The World. All twenty two poems were a joy to write, and what a rich, alchemical adventure that was!
I spent a week with each card, taking a fortnight's rest at The Hanged Man, so six months of writing in total. I would highly recommend this journey to all writers, especially all the Jung dudes and dudettes! (I'm a huge bowie fan, so couldn't resist!)
Thank you so much for sharing this! I work with kids and teens myself - community mental health - and I’ve already tagged your book Creatrix Rising to buy a copy with my next Amazon order.
Moving into midlife myself right now, and I think I could use the read! ❤️
Thank you! Working with teenagers is certainly challenging and rewarding. . . as is moving into midlife. What a textured life the wind carves out around us.
Community Outreach has been a part of my writing life since my days at Naropa. (class of89, writing and poetics) One of the places you might reach out to is Dress for Success. There's usually at least one of those in every city. The one here in Austin hosted a lovely Zoom session for me during COVID and welcomed facilitation in journaling as a way to unwind and smooth some of life's decisions. Also, schools that don't have quite the funding as some of their more affluent neighbors welcome poetry workshops, and writing poetry with kids, is an a delight and a half!
I'm trying to put together a Zoom class that is about how to use one's writing as community outreach. If you follow me on Substack, I will be posting the where and when. Thanks for your interest. I think you would love the work.
Stephanie, Your story of finding your way "in" to what you had to offer those amazing teenage girls brought tears to my eyes. You are an amazing facilitator, wise woman and writer. Thank you for the gift of yourself and your wisdom on this journey of life. Hugs and blessings.
There's so much we can do with our writing. We can give it away in places in the community where it truly makes a difference, and that will expand our hearts and mind. Those young women are still with me in spirit, each of them.
This warmed my heart, Stephanie. Connection, community. It's everything. Your incredible witnessing was the key - for all parties. You set a good example. Appreciate you.
I learn a lot about community from you, Jeanne, from how you facilitate to how you show up in the circles you work with. Maybe that's what the heart of community is -- that we lift each other up, and allow ourselves to be lifted.
Oh my. Thanks for the mention, Stephanie, and for including me with such a wise group of women. You are most definitely an inspiration to me too.
Thanks, Linda. May we continue to inspire and uplift one another. Grace. It's what women writers give to other women who write. Grace. Big hugs.
At an art group a few weeks ago, one of the women was worried about doing an artist statement. And I said, ‘oh that’s easy’. Another replied, “Of course, it is for you. You’re a writer.” It stopped me cold because I don’t think of myself as a ‘writer’ anymore. Decades ago, I was an advertising writer. Not a fiction or poetry or ‘real’ writer. I once tried to write a story and 300 pages in, threw it all away and turned my creative energy into painting and, then clay. Now, decades later, I wonder, is it too late? I’ve always journaled to help myself and blogged but that’s different than real writing. And what would I write about? Thanks for sharing your story
And in you short paragraph, you shared a story too -- so that must make you a writer as well. There are a lot of places and a lot of ways to live and share the writing life. May you meet as many of them as possible. After all, the rest of your stories want to be told as well.
Saw, taught each other.
Guide and girls met, merged through words.
Out-reach reaches in.
Thanks, Marisol and big hugs. I so appreciate your poetic commentary.
And we so appreciate your grace-full generous spirit~
What a fulfilling experience, Stephanie. And you have just given me a fantastic idea for my own teaching journey. Community outreach volunteer! OMG, there must be so many places where young women, elders, or battered wives would benefit from what I've done multiple times: WRITING TO HEAL! Thank you for sharing this.
RIGHT ON, Marilea. One's writing life expands from such work! We can do good with a pen and an intention, and WRITING TO HEAL is already in place, just waiting . .. Big hugs.
This was the perfect solution for teaching writing. I wonder what would happen with kids in school classrooms if they were given the time to write something like this every day. Given time for free reading, too. Just time ... to process what the teacher tried to teach them that day. Maybe it was just the teachers I knew in my daughter's classes, but it seemed they were tied to a schedule and rigorous curriculum expectations, doling out lessons in 20 minutes increments. The kids were rushed from one thing to the next without having the time to organize themselves for the lessons or even to process it. Having a half hour at the end of the day to let them journal their day would be interesting to see the results.
Yes! What an opportunity for both facilitator and participant!
Thanks for sharing the power of building community through journaling, listening and being vulnerable. It is powerful and healing.
Outreach strengthens and expands our literary community in ways that help, heal and inspire. Art keeps our humanity from shrinking.
So true
Big hugs, Ariela.
Thank you Stephanie, the experience of facilitating, witnessing and being witnessed is so powerful ❤️
Amen to that, Mary. Thank you for reading and for the thoughtful comment.
Gorgeous, Stephanie! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful art and beautiful heart. I deeply resonated with all that you shared; the girls, yourself, the wisdom, the writing, the Tarot, the healing, the whole She-Bang! Sending you so much love and gratitude for your presence and for sharing this outer / inner space with us. Oh, how the Divine Feminine sparkles through you. ✨💛✨
Deborah, One day I would relish a conversation with you about the Tarot and how images and symbols can inform insight and growth. Thank you for being here.
Aww, that's lovely! Thanks so much, Stephanie.
In my second poetry collection: The Shepherd's Daughter, I include my entire Major Arcana journey starting with The Fool and finishing with The World. All twenty two poems were a joy to write, and what a rich, alchemical adventure that was!
I spent a week with each card, taking a fortnight's rest at The Hanged Man, so six months of writing in total. I would highly recommend this journey to all writers, especially all the Jung dudes and dudettes! (I'm a huge bowie fan, so couldn't resist!)
Here's a link to my first poem in my 'Poetry of the Tarot' series: https://theliberatedsheep.substack.com/p/poetry-of-the-tarot-the-fool
Also here's another post all about how I first met with Tarot: https://theliberatedsheep.substack.com/p/poetry-of-the-tarot
Read at leisure, as your spirit stirs - only when Tarot whispers and the cards call you in.
Deborah, thank you for these links! What a resource to dive into. Much appreciation and goodwill.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I work with kids and teens myself - community mental health - and I’ve already tagged your book Creatrix Rising to buy a copy with my next Amazon order.
Moving into midlife myself right now, and I think I could use the read! ❤️
Thank you! Working with teenagers is certainly challenging and rewarding. . . as is moving into midlife. What a textured life the wind carves out around us.
Aw, thanks, Stephers, for including me in your list of women writers. Back at ya for the inspiration department!
Thanks, Linda I'm always happy to see your byline pop up anywhere; I always know then that it's worth the read!
A powerful and insightful post, Stephanie. And a reminder that we are all both teacher and student with each other. What a gift your story is!
Teacher and student. . . absolutely. And I think we have to be both. Always happy to bump into you on Substack, Julie. Big hugs.
I feel the same, Stephanie 🤗
Big grin. We're on the same page! Sometimes literally.
Love it!
Love this.
A good way to expand the writing life, yes?
Loved this article, Stephanie. Are you still doing this in Austin? I was wondering how I might tap into some of that kind of sharing.
Community Outreach has been a part of my writing life since my days at Naropa. (class of89, writing and poetics) One of the places you might reach out to is Dress for Success. There's usually at least one of those in every city. The one here in Austin hosted a lovely Zoom session for me during COVID and welcomed facilitation in journaling as a way to unwind and smooth some of life's decisions. Also, schools that don't have quite the funding as some of their more affluent neighbors welcome poetry workshops, and writing poetry with kids, is an a delight and a half!
I'm trying to put together a Zoom class that is about how to use one's writing as community outreach. If you follow me on Substack, I will be posting the where and when. Thanks for your interest. I think you would love the work.
Yes, love to see a Substack post about writing as community outreach. I want to do more of that. Thanks for the reply.
Stephanie, Your story of finding your way "in" to what you had to offer those amazing teenage girls brought tears to my eyes. You are an amazing facilitator, wise woman and writer. Thank you for the gift of yourself and your wisdom on this journey of life. Hugs and blessings.
There's so much we can do with our writing. We can give it away in places in the community where it truly makes a difference, and that will expand our hearts and mind. Those young women are still with me in spirit, each of them.
And I bet you are still with them! They are fortunate you were the one to sit with them and nurture their voices at a crucial time in their lives.