Happy Birthday Candace! I can still picture holding you on your first day. What a happy moment. As we all meander our way through this maze of making decisions, all of them won't seem perfect or just at the time. But as we examine where our decisions have led us, if we have left the world a better place, hopefully we have fulfilled our purpose. Thanks so much for making us think. I love you. Dad
Dad, thank you so much for your comment, and for the beautiful words you shared -- I especially love what you wrote here: "if we have left the world a better place, hopefully we have fulfilled our purpose." I couldn't agree more, and I can't wait to talk more about this with you in person, hopefully poolside (or even better, by the beach!) 💙
The quote is wonderful but I truly love the illustration. I love it so so much! I keep expecting the clouds and the sea to shift in colour and hear the cry of the birds.
Ahh I love hearing that, Lisa -- thank you! I was also really happy with how the illustration turned out :) It was one of the first times that I attempted to paint clouds around sunset time, and I was pleasantly surprised by how the golden hour tones came through 🌅
Happy birthday. And thank you for this beautiful share. In my sixties now and finding more and more that curiosity is key. And somehow the answers feel less and less important. Thank you again
Karen, I can't thank you enough for your beautiful comment and for the wisdom you shared, especially this: "somehow the answers feel less and less important."
I feel exactly the same way, and I'm honored that this post resonated with you and your own journey 🤍
Wow. That moment is seared in my heart and mind. When I received your very sad news of rejection, I was in a hotel room digging deep into a study on TRUST, particularly "trusting in God." I don't think the card sent or the study being done was by accident. Hindsight is our best teacher. Who was it that said, "Life is lived forward but understood backward?" These deep rejections are where resilience, fortitude, and flexibility are forged in our souls. The pain is unbearable, yet we bear it. I am so grateful for the day you came into our lives. It was a radiant day. Thank you for being such a beautiful, invitational, loving, caring, and strong woman. xoxo
Mom, I loved hearing about all the different layers of connection being woven together that April -- from your study on trust to finding Rilke's words on the card. And I'm so grateful for the wisdom you continue to share, especially this: "These deep rejections are where resilience, fortitude, and flexibility are forged in our souls." Thank you so much for helping me navigate the highs and lows of life -- both then and now 🤍🤍
Thank you, Candace. What a lovely setting for these words. I’ve recalled that passage so many times in my life when I get all wound up about taking the right path or making decisions. I think Rilke is reminding us to take a breath and stop putting so much weight on our each and every move. There’s only so much we can know and do and predict right now. Our lives flow on like a river while we are thinking we have it all under control. It’s ok to say “I don’t know.” I’ve been using that sentence a lot lately in my own life. It slows me down and loosens me up. In fact, I think it’s my new mantra! Everybody say it out loud and proud, and with conviction:
Jill, how do I even begin to thank you for your comment and the wisdom you shared in it? I'm about to write out your words here and have them sitting on my desk, I love what you wrote so much :) especially this: "It’s ok to say 'I don’t know.' I’ve been using that sentence a lot lately in my own life. It slows me down and loosens me up."
I'm also really grateful to have grown more comfortable with saying "I don't know," and I love how you put that, about how it loosens you up. Here's to living the rest of this year -- and the years to come -- with open hands and open hearts 🤍✨
PS -- you might enjoy hearing that one of Elena's newest favorite catch phrases is even, "I don't know," in this kind of singsong little voice so that it sounds like "I dunno" :) It brings Jose and me a lot of joy every time she says it, and now I'll think of your words as well when she does.
Funny thing about living is that you're so busy living each stage of life, that sometimes the poetry and philosophies and homilies get stampeded by the walks in the park with the kids, the laundry and dishes, the cooking of special meals for holidays or just plain old dinner, and seeing the children settle into bed.
In the movie, Tombstone, Doc Holladay is on his death. Wyatt asks him how he can live a normal life. Doc says, "There is no normal life. There's just life, so get on with it! Take that spirited actress and make her your own. Live, Wyatt! Live it to the hilt. Live for me." (cue the tears.)
Wow, Sue -- I haven't seen Tombstone, so I'd never come across those words before, but you've just sent me down the most wonderful rabbit hole reading more about the movie and that scene. Thank you so much for sharing that, "Live it to the hilt" just became a new favorite phrase of mine 🤍
Oh you MUST see the movie. So much of it is about dealing with bullies. At least that was my first impression of it when I saw it for the first time. Indeed, some of the interactions remind me of life in junior high school. But it is incredibly violent, so I can fully understand why you wouldn't want to expose yourself to that level of brutality. You live such a peaceful life in a peace-loving place. This only emphasizes just how far off the civility scale American society has fallen. We've become numbed to violence and mayhem.
I had a similar experience when I was trying to figure where to direct my energies after high school. I felt like every door was closed to me until out of the blue, the work I was meant for found me. Now I’m on the other side of a long, satisfying but difficult career and can say with some authority that Rilke’s advice is truth.
Switter, I love how you put that -- "trying to figure where to direct my energies" -- and I'm so glad the door you were meant to walk through found you at just the right time 🙏
Happy Birthday to such a soulful artist! Thank you for bringing me back to Rilke's profound words this morning. "Live! Live! Live!" I hear the poet whispering. Hope you are living your best day today!
Happy Birthday Candace! I can still picture holding you on your first day. What a happy moment. As we all meander our way through this maze of making decisions, all of them won't seem perfect or just at the time. But as we examine where our decisions have led us, if we have left the world a better place, hopefully we have fulfilled our purpose. Thanks so much for making us think. I love you. Dad
Dad, thank you so much for your comment, and for the beautiful words you shared -- I especially love what you wrote here: "if we have left the world a better place, hopefully we have fulfilled our purpose." I couldn't agree more, and I can't wait to talk more about this with you in person, hopefully poolside (or even better, by the beach!) 💙
The quote is wonderful but I truly love the illustration. I love it so so much! I keep expecting the clouds and the sea to shift in colour and hear the cry of the birds.
Happy Birthday!
Ahh I love hearing that, Lisa -- thank you! I was also really happy with how the illustration turned out :) It was one of the first times that I attempted to paint clouds around sunset time, and I was pleasantly surprised by how the golden hour tones came through 🌅
Happy birthday. And thank you for this beautiful share. In my sixties now and finding more and more that curiosity is key. And somehow the answers feel less and less important. Thank you again
Karen, I can't thank you enough for your beautiful comment and for the wisdom you shared, especially this: "somehow the answers feel less and less important."
I feel exactly the same way, and I'm honored that this post resonated with you and your own journey 🤍
Wow. That moment is seared in my heart and mind. When I received your very sad news of rejection, I was in a hotel room digging deep into a study on TRUST, particularly "trusting in God." I don't think the card sent or the study being done was by accident. Hindsight is our best teacher. Who was it that said, "Life is lived forward but understood backward?" These deep rejections are where resilience, fortitude, and flexibility are forged in our souls. The pain is unbearable, yet we bear it. I am so grateful for the day you came into our lives. It was a radiant day. Thank you for being such a beautiful, invitational, loving, caring, and strong woman. xoxo
Mom, I loved hearing about all the different layers of connection being woven together that April -- from your study on trust to finding Rilke's words on the card. And I'm so grateful for the wisdom you continue to share, especially this: "These deep rejections are where resilience, fortitude, and flexibility are forged in our souls." Thank you so much for helping me navigate the highs and lows of life -- both then and now 🤍🤍
Thank you, Candace. What a lovely setting for these words. I’ve recalled that passage so many times in my life when I get all wound up about taking the right path or making decisions. I think Rilke is reminding us to take a breath and stop putting so much weight on our each and every move. There’s only so much we can know and do and predict right now. Our lives flow on like a river while we are thinking we have it all under control. It’s ok to say “I don’t know.” I’ve been using that sentence a lot lately in my own life. It slows me down and loosens me up. In fact, I think it’s my new mantra! Everybody say it out loud and proud, and with conviction:
I DON’T KNOW!
And happy birthday, Candace!
Jill, how do I even begin to thank you for your comment and the wisdom you shared in it? I'm about to write out your words here and have them sitting on my desk, I love what you wrote so much :) especially this: "It’s ok to say 'I don’t know.' I’ve been using that sentence a lot lately in my own life. It slows me down and loosens me up."
I'm also really grateful to have grown more comfortable with saying "I don't know," and I love how you put that, about how it loosens you up. Here's to living the rest of this year -- and the years to come -- with open hands and open hearts 🤍✨
PS -- you might enjoy hearing that one of Elena's newest favorite catch phrases is even, "I don't know," in this kind of singsong little voice so that it sounds like "I dunno" :) It brings Jose and me a lot of joy every time she says it, and now I'll think of your words as well when she does.
This was so lovely thanks for sharing it with us
Thank you, Jo! I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🤍
Happy birthday, Candace.
Funny thing about living is that you're so busy living each stage of life, that sometimes the poetry and philosophies and homilies get stampeded by the walks in the park with the kids, the laundry and dishes, the cooking of special meals for holidays or just plain old dinner, and seeing the children settle into bed.
In the movie, Tombstone, Doc Holladay is on his death. Wyatt asks him how he can live a normal life. Doc says, "There is no normal life. There's just life, so get on with it! Take that spirited actress and make her your own. Live, Wyatt! Live it to the hilt. Live for me." (cue the tears.)
Wow, Sue -- I haven't seen Tombstone, so I'd never come across those words before, but you've just sent me down the most wonderful rabbit hole reading more about the movie and that scene. Thank you so much for sharing that, "Live it to the hilt" just became a new favorite phrase of mine 🤍
Oh you MUST see the movie. So much of it is about dealing with bullies. At least that was my first impression of it when I saw it for the first time. Indeed, some of the interactions remind me of life in junior high school. But it is incredibly violent, so I can fully understand why you wouldn't want to expose yourself to that level of brutality. You live such a peaceful life in a peace-loving place. This only emphasizes just how far off the civility scale American society has fallen. We've become numbed to violence and mayhem.
Happy birthday to you! I hope you have had a lovely day with your beautiful family. Sending love and hugs from NYC xx
Thank you so much, dear Veena! Sending big hugs right back to you from Antwerp 🤍✨
Smiling. Happy Birthday!
Thank you so much, Kaitlyn! ✨
Happy birthday, Candace!!
Thank you so much, Andy! 🙌
Happy birthday, Candace.
I had a similar experience when I was trying to figure where to direct my energies after high school. I felt like every door was closed to me until out of the blue, the work I was meant for found me. Now I’m on the other side of a long, satisfying but difficult career and can say with some authority that Rilke’s advice is truth.
Switter, I love how you put that -- "trying to figure where to direct my energies" -- and I'm so glad the door you were meant to walk through found you at just the right time 🙏
I’m feeling this! Leaning into that reminder to live the questions now. To live.
Yes! I'm so happy to hear you connected with this 🤍✨
Love this quote too—Wishing you a wonderful Birthday! And a year ahead filled with Magnificent Outcomes. 🎂🎉🥳
Thank you, Dominique! Your kind words mean so much 🤍✨
Happy Birthday Candace! Wow, that is a beautiful quote. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Thank you so much, Rhonda! And I'm so glad Rilke's words resonated with you 🤍
Happy Birthday to such a soulful artist! Thank you for bringing me back to Rilke's profound words this morning. "Live! Live! Live!" I hear the poet whispering. Hope you are living your best day today!
"'Live! Live! Live!' I hear the poet whispering."
That is just beautiful, Julie -- thank you so much for your lovely comment, and I'm so glad Rilke's words came to life for you again last week 🤍✨
Happy Birthday, Candace! Thank you for sharing your beautiful painting along with Rilke's words. What a lovely meditation!
Thank you so much, Tina! And I'm so glad Rilke's words resonated with you ✨