A beautiful piece and so many insights. "How we deal with that adversity (or not) is a key contributor to the shape of our lives. It is part of what makes us unique." Love this 🩷
Thanks for sharing your healing journey, Cathy. I never learned the metaphor of the toad and the stone. It aligns so well with how I feel about our messy lives—we can discover the gold with the willingness and curiosity to do the inner work. I'm happy you found people in your life that helped you along the way. Your story is an inspiration!
The toad and the stone was new to me, as well, and it immediately resonated. Thank you for mentioning willingness to do the inner work. That is a critical component! I so appreciate your comment, Paulette - thank you!
I love the fairy tale imagery of a toadstone. The idea that the antidote we need is contained within the very thing that ails us kind of made my head explode … in a good way. There is so much wisdom and empathy in considering another person’s actions not only in relation to yourself, but also within the context of their whole experience. Often, as you found, the “why” behind their behavior has nothing to do with you.
Thank you for another beautiful story that helps illuminate a deep truth.
Oh, Jamie, you so lift my heart! Fairy tales can be quite profound, can't they?!
I have often heard that we don't need to know why - why something happened, why someone said what they did - just deal with it. When the "why" can be discovered, however, it allows us to see people and situations in all their fullness. In my life, it's made all the difference in the world.
Fairy tales are full of both magic and deep meaning. I’ve so enjoyed learning more about their wisdom from the women at The Carterhaugh School of Fairy Tales and Folklore. I cannot recommend them enough. 💜✨
I love that a school for fairy tales and folklore exists!! I have always been drawn to fairy tales (growing up), mythology (in school), and folklore (Native American tribes when I lived in Arizona and Southern African tribes when I lived in South Africa). Thank you for making this recommendation!
Beautifully communicated insights — what it means to be human, how to see our parents as human. Your forgiveness of each person is a beautiful act. TY for sharing your experience with us Cathy. It is inspirational and hopeful.
Thank you Mo. As hard as it can sometimes be to forgive, doing so frees us from the pull of painful feelings and interactions. The world needs more forgiveness at the moment. ☺️
Cathy, I'm inspired by your resolve to never be like your parents and to live your life intentionally, honoring all who cross your path. And even more, you had the empathy and courage to forgive them even though you won't forgive the actions. Thanks for taking us step-by-step through your story and how you eventually felt empathy.
Thank you, Sandra, for your kind response. It's been a long road, and I'm happy that I was able to come to a place of peace with both my parents in the last few years of their lives.
Thank you for sharing such a personal experience and your thoughts on moving through and past it and its impact. Families definitely can carry generational wounds.
A beautiful piece and so many insights. "How we deal with that adversity (or not) is a key contributor to the shape of our lives. It is part of what makes us unique." Love this 🩷
Thank you, Rhaine - I so appreciate you kind and generous comment! 💕
Thanks for sharing your healing journey, Cathy. I never learned the metaphor of the toad and the stone. It aligns so well with how I feel about our messy lives—we can discover the gold with the willingness and curiosity to do the inner work. I'm happy you found people in your life that helped you along the way. Your story is an inspiration!
The toad and the stone was new to me, as well, and it immediately resonated. Thank you for mentioning willingness to do the inner work. That is a critical component! I so appreciate your comment, Paulette - thank you!
It's not always easy, but it's so worth it!
I could not agree more!
I love the fairy tale imagery of a toadstone. The idea that the antidote we need is contained within the very thing that ails us kind of made my head explode … in a good way. There is so much wisdom and empathy in considering another person’s actions not only in relation to yourself, but also within the context of their whole experience. Often, as you found, the “why” behind their behavior has nothing to do with you.
Thank you for another beautiful story that helps illuminate a deep truth.
Oh, Jamie, you so lift my heart! Fairy tales can be quite profound, can't they?!
I have often heard that we don't need to know why - why something happened, why someone said what they did - just deal with it. When the "why" can be discovered, however, it allows us to see people and situations in all their fullness. In my life, it's made all the difference in the world.
Thank you for your wonderful comment!
Fairy tales are full of both magic and deep meaning. I’ve so enjoyed learning more about their wisdom from the women at The Carterhaugh School of Fairy Tales and Folklore. I cannot recommend them enough. 💜✨
I love that a school for fairy tales and folklore exists!! I have always been drawn to fairy tales (growing up), mythology (in school), and folklore (Native American tribes when I lived in Arizona and Southern African tribes when I lived in South Africa). Thank you for making this recommendation!
Beautifully communicated insights — what it means to be human, how to see our parents as human. Your forgiveness of each person is a beautiful act. TY for sharing your experience with us Cathy. It is inspirational and hopeful.
Thank you Mo. As hard as it can sometimes be to forgive, doing so frees us from the pull of painful feelings and interactions. The world needs more forgiveness at the moment. ☺️
I so agree. TY Cathy!
Cathy, I'm inspired by your resolve to never be like your parents and to live your life intentionally, honoring all who cross your path. And even more, you had the empathy and courage to forgive them even though you won't forgive the actions. Thanks for taking us step-by-step through your story and how you eventually felt empathy.
Thank you, Sandra, for your kind response. It's been a long road, and I'm happy that I was able to come to a place of peace with both my parents in the last few years of their lives.
Thank you for sharing such a personal experience and your thoughts on moving through and past it and its impact. Families definitely can carry generational wounds.
They certainly can! It was only after doing that exercise that I saw it clearly. I am determined to ensure it goes no further.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Leslie!