Oh, to stop chasing. I still chase, ready to bound off my toes at any moment to go after...the opportunity, the right answer, the next adventure, the "yes". But, I find that more than half the time now, I actually rip off the blocks only to slow to a walk and then a full stop just feet from where I began. Oh, to stop chasing. Thank you for this, Michelle. What lovely, haunting, relatable imagery and honesty.
That's so beautiful, Jess, and such an honest admission. So relatable. I'm wondering if many of us who are women struggle with the chasing in some way, whether there may be some societal pressure to "do it all" and hustle present in the undertones of how we live, work, and just exist? Thanks for supporting Michelle. She's a breathtaking writer!
I agree, Jeannie, but I wonder if it’s not just for women. I feel the same chasing in my husband too. I think it might be a societal pressure for all of us, and one that we must let go of if we want to be truly present in this world. Thank you for sharing these astounding voices!
I think it feels that way some days. But giving up entirely is catastrophic, so I’m spending more and more of my time trying to figure out how to grow that nugget not shrink it.
Thank you Jeannie for sharing Michelle's writing. I subscribe to her newsletter but I had not read this piece and it's stunning. And thank you Michelle for your writing!
I love how you identify rhythm in nature as the force that keeps you going. I never thought of it that way but it has been true for me. The consistency of walking, the practice of noticing, has become what I cling to now, for my mental health. And when, in my hubris, I sometimes abandon the practice, thinking I don't need to do it, for days or weeks at a time, I fall into the dark place.
This piece is a timely reminder to me of the peace and stillness that is available to access, available to anyone, anytime.
Oh, Tina, how wonderful that you are already connected with Michelle! I’m thrilled that her guest piece has touched so many people in my Substack space, and it was an honor to host her story.
Reading this, I was struck by how deeply it echoes something I’ve been exploring in my own writing, the way life hands us so many things we never chose, and how acceptance, both of the difficult and the beautiful, can set us free. Your words about stopping the chase and simply arriving remind me of the moment we realize we can’t always change what’s in front of us, but we can change how we meet it. My latest piece leans into that truth, tracing the long list of things we inherit without permission and the radical freedom that comes from accepting them, then choosing what we’ll hand forward.
This speaks to my heart, Michelle. I wasn't chasing though; I was running to escape. I couldn't know that then, but I embraced the subtle shift of dying to the old way of life, to my great surprise, when my Mom died. And now I face each day with gratitude and in service, and that has made all the difference. Beautifully written, and thank you, Jeannie, for sharing Michelle with us.
I just love how you opened up here, Heather. You are such a gift to this community and I'm honored to introduce you to Michelle and her incredible work.
Oh, to stop chasing. I still chase, ready to bound off my toes at any moment to go after...the opportunity, the right answer, the next adventure, the "yes". But, I find that more than half the time now, I actually rip off the blocks only to slow to a walk and then a full stop just feet from where I began. Oh, to stop chasing. Thank you for this, Michelle. What lovely, haunting, relatable imagery and honesty.
That's so beautiful, Jess, and such an honest admission. So relatable. I'm wondering if many of us who are women struggle with the chasing in some way, whether there may be some societal pressure to "do it all" and hustle present in the undertones of how we live, work, and just exist? Thanks for supporting Michelle. She's a breathtaking writer!
I agree, Jeannie, but I wonder if it’s not just for women. I feel the same chasing in my husband too. I think it might be a societal pressure for all of us, and one that we must let go of if we want to be truly present in this world. Thank you for sharing these astounding voices!
Yeah the hustle culture is just too much. I wonder sometime if simply being a human is too much for us anymore.
I think it feels that way some days. But giving up entirely is catastrophic, so I’m spending more and more of my time trying to figure out how to grow that nugget not shrink it.
Me too 💚💚💚
Absolutely. I'm with you, Jess!
I’m a recovering chaser, Jess. I see you 🥰
Beautiful. 💗
I was the leaver, the chaser, the maker of better. Spilling into the slow arrival, never ending Homer.
Thank you both. Gorgeous.
Wow, Prajna, your comment read like poetry today. Thank you for sharing it and being here to support Michelle’s beautiful story.
Thank you Jeannie for sharing Michelle's writing. I subscribe to her newsletter but I had not read this piece and it's stunning. And thank you Michelle for your writing!
I love how you identify rhythm in nature as the force that keeps you going. I never thought of it that way but it has been true for me. The consistency of walking, the practice of noticing, has become what I cling to now, for my mental health. And when, in my hubris, I sometimes abandon the practice, thinking I don't need to do it, for days or weeks at a time, I fall into the dark place.
This piece is a timely reminder to me of the peace and stillness that is available to access, available to anyone, anytime.
Oh, Tina, how wonderful that you are already connected with Michelle! I’m thrilled that her guest piece has touched so many people in my Substack space, and it was an honor to host her story.
Reading this, I was struck by how deeply it echoes something I’ve been exploring in my own writing, the way life hands us so many things we never chose, and how acceptance, both of the difficult and the beautiful, can set us free. Your words about stopping the chase and simply arriving remind me of the moment we realize we can’t always change what’s in front of us, but we can change how we meet it. My latest piece leans into that truth, tracing the long list of things we inherit without permission and the radical freedom that comes from accepting them, then choosing what we’ll hand forward.
https://richardvannatta.substack.com/p/the-things-we-cant-chose-and-the
That’s a beautiful insight, Richard—that we can’t change what’s in front of us, but we can change how we meet it.
Beautiful!
Thanks for showing Michelle your support, Janet.
💚💚💚
Thank you, Janet.
This is lovely.
Thanks, Bryant.
Goodness this is fantastic. I feel so seen. The more-than-human world has such an incredible ability to let us just BE, and release.
💚💚💚
Thanks for showing up to celebrate Michelle and her gifted story today, Sam!
Jeannie, you are so kind. Thank you so much ☺️
I’m so grateful you and I have connected here, Michelle. You are also kind.
♥️ me too! Can’t wait for our conversation!
Same! It’s on my calendar! XO
🙏🏻
There is so much depth in your words, Michelle.
Jeannie, thanks for sharing this post with your readers.
I’m glad Michelle’s beautiful message spoke to your heart, Nancy.
This speaks to my heart, Michelle. I wasn't chasing though; I was running to escape. I couldn't know that then, but I embraced the subtle shift of dying to the old way of life, to my great surprise, when my Mom died. And now I face each day with gratitude and in service, and that has made all the difference. Beautifully written, and thank you, Jeannie, for sharing Michelle with us.
Heather, my heart goes out to you. We share a transformation 💚
I just love how you opened up here, Heather. You are such a gift to this community and I'm honored to introduce you to Michelle and her incredible work.
Oh my gosh this is so beautiful. I relate so much.
Ellie, thanks for showing up and supporting Michelle. She is such a writer of the heart!
This is so beautiful.
Michelle is a phenomenal writer, JoAnn.
Thank you, JoAnn!
Lovely writing. Just lovely.
Thank you 🙏🏻 💚
Michelle is a very talented writer, Anne!
Gorgeous 💖 the quiet ritual of nature was my home after my mom passed on - it still is 💗
Yes