23 Comments
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Donna McArthur's avatar

I love the trail that led to Dandelion Seeds, especially the part about the spark you feel in your body when you know it’s the right thing. I get a similar sensation. It can’t be chased but must arrive and when it does it is so delicious!

Congratulations on your pregnancy💕

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

"It can’t be chased but must arrive" -- yes! That's exactly it, isn't it? And I think that's also how we know we're meant to head in a certain direction or work on a certain project. Because the spark can't be chased, we know we can trust it when we feel it. Thanks so much for your kind words here, Donna, and for sharing such beautiful insights ✨

TenThousandJourneys's avatar

Sending you best wishes, Candace! It’s amazing how as you read the email/ answer the call, your body immediately recognizes that something momentous is happening. It’s as though something inside has been waiting for just this wonderful moment.

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

"It’s as though something inside has been waiting for just this wonderful moment." Priya, in just one sentence, you captured exactly what I was trying to say in this post. I love that there's a kind of alchemy that happens in certain momentous seasons -- of things inside us rising up to meet things happening outside us. You put that so beautifully, thank you! 🤍

Switter’s World's avatar

Happy Natal natal!

Before we had email (yes, I was alive back then), we had potlucks and a potluck in Twin Falls, Idaho, changed everything for me.

“We need a volunteer couple to help on a project in Africa for a year. Interested?” Some questions don’t require thought before giving an answer.

“Yes.”

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

I love this, Switter, and now I hope "The potluck that changed everything for me" is a story you'll be sharing with us soon!

Rose Mastroianni's avatar

I loved reading your backdrop....taking us through to the mural.......and the fragrance I could smell,as you found your sense of belonging......that Il cuppa tea hey¿

Thanks Candace,

and hope your lil Christmas bundle is safe and sound .....and ready for kisses in the newness of it all.xx

Rose 🌹 🙏🏾💌🪭🫶🏾☀️❌🌹

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Thank you so much for your lovely words, Rose! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed this 🤍✨

Susannah Fisher's avatar

This piece is why I find you so inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing. You've given me much food for thought since you started Dandelion Seeds. And congratulations - or harte gefeliciteerd - with the impending arrival! Exciting!

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Susannah, please know how honored I am by your kind words -- and know that the inspiration is oh-so-very mutual! It's been so lovely to connect with you here on Substack this year, and I can't wait to continue following along your own creative adventures 🎨✨

appleton king's avatar

always a pleasure so interesting take care

Sharon Hays's avatar

I love that sentiment, that a new creative fire inside us, waiting to be lit. Ive been on this journey in my depression missing that creative fire. I’m having trouble lighting it, but I know it will come again. Like I said before, you inspire me with Dandelion Seeds. Inspiration will come. Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your little one. My children were my best creations.

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Sharon, thank you so much for your comment and kind words, and for sharing so honestly and beautifully about where you're at on your own journey. Please know I have absolutely been there, and that I so understand how hard it can be to feel that creative spark in the darker seasons of life -- and know I'll be sending thoughts of light and peace your way 🤍✨

Medha Murtagh's avatar

Oohhh. So very much looking forward to the rest of this series. And that Bateman essay was so beautiful and inspiring!

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Right?? Even just reading back over her essay while working on this post, I loved remembering how inspired I was the first time I saw it. I'm so glad it spoke to you, too! ✨

Laura Boekel's avatar

“The spark may come from someone or somewhere else, but there’s always a new creative fire inside us, waiting to be lit.”

I loved this quote; I’ve felt this in myself and seen it in others. And I’d like to think that I have been the spark to light someone else’s fire too, on occasion. Thanks for sharing your story, Candace!

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

"I’d like to think that I have been the spark to light someone else’s fire too, on occasion." I love that, Laura, and I have no doubt you have been. I think that's one of my favorite things about life -- how we can all be a spark to each other at different moments in time. I'm so glad to hear this post resonated with you! 🤍✨

Sue Cauhape's avatar

Loved this, Candace. What a fascinating life you've lived with all its stories for your to tell.

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Thank you so much, Sue! I'm so glad you enjoyed this 🤍

Kaitlyn Rightmyer's avatar

I love reading about others’ magically woven journeys. It’s like we couldn’t even fathom to plan the pieces to the unfolding as they really happen. Thank you for sharing, looking forward to the rest. ✨

Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Kaitlyn, I can't tell you how much I loved your comment, especially the phrase about magically woven journeys. And what you wrote about not even being able to fathom the unfolding in order to plan it reminded me of one my favorite quotes of all time, from the great Joseph Campbell: "We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Thanks so much for reading, and for such lovely words! 🤍✨

Kaitlyn Rightmyer's avatar

It is so very true, and you're most welcome!