Can someone please chisel this into some limestone?
“We have forgotten what it is really like to receive: news, phone calls, telegrams, good-mornings and farewells, the change the grocer left on the counter, insults, jokes, gifts. True acts of generosity carry in them an earnest invitation. They are not charitable, rather, they manage to make us feel that we have something of value to offer.”
Your essay made me think of this quote often attributed t Lincoln: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."
Although I post an essay every week and to me that's being somewhat of a blabbermouth.
I am all about gracefully receiving from others. I haven’t always been, but once I embraced the joy it brought to giver and receiver I made a conscious choice to appreciate the privilege of either of those acts. Giving came way more natural, but receiving with honest gratitude is really great too!
Sophia’s post was well thought out, and I’m sure there will be a swell of gratitude as more see the joy others receive when we express our appreciation of their thoughtfulness.
I have seen so much advice out there about how to make notes work for you, but this is the best so far: a good note should make you stop scrolling, show make you reflect. Thank you!
So timely, Sophia. I’m overwhelmed by the chaos of watching (even making an effort to participate in) the gamification of Notes. I crashed today. I no longer see the point of my existence here.
When I started, I was excited about making this a space to channel my creative urges. Now, after following (even paying) some people who give advice on growing in hope to gain clarity of direction, I am losing the spark that started it all. It turns out they don’t have the answers I was hoping to get. Now, I just want to be quiet and maybe stay away for a while as this place is getting very noisy, the opposite of what I wanted: a space to cultivate and discover what wants to come through me. I am aware that I’m totally responsible for choosing what I chose.
Can someone please chisel this into some limestone?
“We have forgotten what it is really like to receive: news, phone calls, telegrams, good-mornings and farewells, the change the grocer left on the counter, insults, jokes, gifts. True acts of generosity carry in them an earnest invitation. They are not charitable, rather, they manage to make us feel that we have something of value to offer.”
Yes, that was my favorite part too.
Hi Sophia,
Your essay made me think of this quote often attributed t Lincoln: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."
Although I post an essay every week and to me that's being somewhat of a blabbermouth.
I think my point is that that's ok!
But- you are good,man!
I am all about gracefully receiving from others. I haven’t always been, but once I embraced the joy it brought to giver and receiver I made a conscious choice to appreciate the privilege of either of those acts. Giving came way more natural, but receiving with honest gratitude is really great too!
Sophia’s post was well thought out, and I’m sure there will be a swell of gratitude as more see the joy others receive when we express our appreciation of their thoughtfulness.
Truly, you spoke the meaning of your name
Beautiful. Thank you!
Lovely, Sophia. xo
I do have something too say. Enjoyed your Substack.
I have seen so much advice out there about how to make notes work for you, but this is the best so far: a good note should make you stop scrolling, show make you reflect. Thank you!
So timely, Sophia. I’m overwhelmed by the chaos of watching (even making an effort to participate in) the gamification of Notes. I crashed today. I no longer see the point of my existence here.
When I started, I was excited about making this a space to channel my creative urges. Now, after following (even paying) some people who give advice on growing in hope to gain clarity of direction, I am losing the spark that started it all. It turns out they don’t have the answers I was hoping to get. Now, I just want to be quiet and maybe stay away for a while as this place is getting very noisy, the opposite of what I wanted: a space to cultivate and discover what wants to come through me. I am aware that I’m totally responsible for choosing what I chose.
Nothing to say? I fully agree. Just write Sophia.