As a long-time friend of Michael's, I have been worried, when I heard about his health issues in a phone call a month or so ago. He praised you and your friendship. Thank you for your proximity and your care of him. I enjoyed your articles in Advanced Development, and have listened to one of your podcasts. I too have taken the plunge into Substack and am serializing my memoir, at the age of 84, there. (Free.) I helped get the word out about Dabrowski in sponsoring the first three Dabrowski conferences at Ashland University in 1989, 1990, 1991, which featured Linda, Michael, Nancy, and Frank as teachers/speakers. from Jane Piirto
Jane, thank you so much for this. I'm honestly a little amazed to hear that Michael praised our friendship to you. I'm so glad we're connected here, and I've been enjoying your writing. And those first three Dąbrowski conferences at Ashland: you helped make something possible that's still rippling outward. Thank you for that.
Thank you for sharing all of this. From my perspective, your caring for Michael and everything else you've related is your authentic embodiment of the theory. Walking your talk. This in itself is a significant contribution to this world.
Thank you, Richard. I’ve been so focused on trying to produce tangible work that it really helps to hear someone frame the caregiving itself as the work of the theory, and not a departure from it. You’re right that this is what it looks like in practice, and I appreciate you seeing that.
I’m so glad you’re sharing your work on Substack now! 🙏
Lior, I'm honored to be your first Substack comment! Welcome to the candy store. It IS overwhelming at first. Please give yourself time to explore, and don't worry about figuring it all out at once. And thank you so much for the kind words.
Wow. You are an amazing human being. Firstly as a blessing for how the world aligns to allow you to support Michael. As a caregiver who thrives on giving to others, I understand both how rewarding and—at the same time—taxing this can be. What else would you want be doing with your days? You are in the exactly the place you are meant to be in this moment. Well, we always are... we just don't always see the "forest for the trees." I think you may be find some wings to soar above the treetops for a broader perspective.
Secondly, all your work that is on hold, or just not ready to be released... this is as it should be too. I see that you have come to understand this well. As I noted in another comment, sometimes we need seasons where the focus is more on being rather than doing. And seasons to allow the fruits of our labors to age well... like wine in the barrel.
I know I am not alone in being profoundly encouraged and inspired by how you share your stories with deep rigor and integrity. And never project a sense that you are a be-all/end-all guru. Always questioning, always seeking clarity and meaning.
Keep on keepin' on. The world is grateful for your presence.
Eric, I don't even know what to say. Thank you so much. The caregiver-to-caregiver recognition here is incredible. That it is both rewarding and taxing at once.
I love the wine in the barrel image. I've been so focused on what's not getting done that I haven't considered the possibility that some of this work might actually need the waiting. That's a generous reframe, and I think you might be right.
The part about not being a guru matters to me more than almost anything. I never want to be that. I'm just a person trying to figure this out in real time and writing about it as I go. The fact that that's what resonates for you tells me I'm doing something right. Thank you for this.
Yes, I find that some pieces I write get set aside because of other pressing calls from other people and venues. And I come back later and realized in the interim I have gained new perspective that adds to the piece. Or realize it was something I needed to express in the moment but wasn’t necessary to put out to a wider audience.
And you are definitely not ever coming across as a guru. That’s what makes your work so genuine… you show that you are constantly learning and growing. I love that.
Really appreciate the honesty here. The line about discernment being more important than disclosure hit hard. I've struggled with knowing when to share vs when to hold back, especialy in tough times. There's alot of pressure to document everything, but sometimes just being present is the actual work. Glad to hear Michael is doing better.
Thank you for this. That tension between sharing and holding back is something I’m still figuring out, honestly. The pressure to document everything is real. But you’re right that sometimes presence is the work. I’m learning that. And thank you for the kind words about Michael.
I’m glad we’re connected here, Pat. I’m completely off Facebook now, so Substack is my only social place.
The overwhelm is real, and I’m sorry you’re in your own version of it. I’m wishing you ease, and I hope you do find the energy to tell the story when the time is right.
As a long-time friend of Michael's, I have been worried, when I heard about his health issues in a phone call a month or so ago. He praised you and your friendship. Thank you for your proximity and your care of him. I enjoyed your articles in Advanced Development, and have listened to one of your podcasts. I too have taken the plunge into Substack and am serializing my memoir, at the age of 84, there. (Free.) I helped get the word out about Dabrowski in sponsoring the first three Dabrowski conferences at Ashland University in 1989, 1990, 1991, which featured Linda, Michael, Nancy, and Frank as teachers/speakers. from Jane Piirto
Jane, thank you so much for this. I'm honestly a little amazed to hear that Michael praised our friendship to you. I'm so glad we're connected here, and I've been enjoying your writing. And those first three Dąbrowski conferences at Ashland: you helped make something possible that's still rippling outward. Thank you for that.
Thank you for sharing all of this. From my perspective, your caring for Michael and everything else you've related is your authentic embodiment of the theory. Walking your talk. This in itself is a significant contribution to this world.
Thank you, Richard. I’ve been so focused on trying to produce tangible work that it really helps to hear someone frame the caregiving itself as the work of the theory, and not a departure from it. You’re right that this is what it looks like in practice, and I appreciate you seeing that.
I’m so glad you’re sharing your work on Substack now! 🙏
The world needs more people like you Chris. What a lovely person you are. Truly.
(Ps this is my first Substack comment ever. FM this beast is overwhelming. I’m like a kid in a candy store!!)
Lior, I'm honored to be your first Substack comment! Welcome to the candy store. It IS overwhelming at first. Please give yourself time to explore, and don't worry about figuring it all out at once. And thank you so much for the kind words.
Wow. You are an amazing human being. Firstly as a blessing for how the world aligns to allow you to support Michael. As a caregiver who thrives on giving to others, I understand both how rewarding and—at the same time—taxing this can be. What else would you want be doing with your days? You are in the exactly the place you are meant to be in this moment. Well, we always are... we just don't always see the "forest for the trees." I think you may be find some wings to soar above the treetops for a broader perspective.
Secondly, all your work that is on hold, or just not ready to be released... this is as it should be too. I see that you have come to understand this well. As I noted in another comment, sometimes we need seasons where the focus is more on being rather than doing. And seasons to allow the fruits of our labors to age well... like wine in the barrel.
I know I am not alone in being profoundly encouraged and inspired by how you share your stories with deep rigor and integrity. And never project a sense that you are a be-all/end-all guru. Always questioning, always seeking clarity and meaning.
Keep on keepin' on. The world is grateful for your presence.
Eric, I don't even know what to say. Thank you so much. The caregiver-to-caregiver recognition here is incredible. That it is both rewarding and taxing at once.
I love the wine in the barrel image. I've been so focused on what's not getting done that I haven't considered the possibility that some of this work might actually need the waiting. That's a generous reframe, and I think you might be right.
The part about not being a guru matters to me more than almost anything. I never want to be that. I'm just a person trying to figure this out in real time and writing about it as I go. The fact that that's what resonates for you tells me I'm doing something right. Thank you for this.
Yes, I find that some pieces I write get set aside because of other pressing calls from other people and venues. And I come back later and realized in the interim I have gained new perspective that adds to the piece. Or realize it was something I needed to express in the moment but wasn’t necessary to put out to a wider audience.
And you are definitely not ever coming across as a guru. That’s what makes your work so genuine… you show that you are constantly learning and growing. I love that.
Really appreciate the honesty here. The line about discernment being more important than disclosure hit hard. I've struggled with knowing when to share vs when to hold back, especialy in tough times. There's alot of pressure to document everything, but sometimes just being present is the actual work. Glad to hear Michael is doing better.
Thank you for this. That tension between sharing and holding back is something I’m still figuring out, honestly. The pressure to document everything is real. But you’re right that sometimes presence is the work. I’m learning that. And thank you for the kind words about Michael.
❤️
wow
Very glad to hear from you. I hope you're coping okay.
I am in my own state of overwhelmed. Hoping I have the energy to tell that story soon.
I’m glad we’re connected here, Pat. I’m completely off Facebook now, so Substack is my only social place.
The overwhelm is real, and I’m sorry you’re in your own version of it. I’m wishing you ease, and I hope you do find the energy to tell the story when the time is right.