I’ve been a lucky human. Many times, I’ve had the blissful experience of encountering someone who automatically oozes familiarity. Someone I’ve met before? An acquaintance I’ve forgotten? Often, it’s not that the names or faces that are recognizable, but a person’s loving essence. Well, that and a sense of humor and a knack for not taking oneself too seriously. 😉
IRL (‘in real life’) it’s easier to discern the whys and wherefores when I’m drawn toward someone because I can audit and assess the encounters dimensionally. Why, exactly, does a person possess gravitational pull? Why, exactly do I have an innate sense of safety and comfort in their presence? I can typically tease out the attraction and isolate the characteristic that’s reeling me in. It’s easier because I have those extra IRL tools at my disposal: body language, congruence between words and affect/emotion, tone of voice, eye contact, subtleties of interactions with others, assessing for kindness most of all.
Online? It’s all about the words we use and while it can be more of a challenge, I’ve found the experience of connecting with kindred, WordPress souls far less difficult than I Imagined. I love the creative energy that comes from the community. Writers, painters, poets, philosophers, musicians – and some friends are all of these things rolled into one. Amazing!
As I’m learning more about how to identify as an author, one of the unexpected joys has been meeting fellow travelers on the writing road. I’m finding ‘my people’ and it is soul-satisfying.
One of those travelers? My friend Julia Preston wrote a beautiful book – part blogging adventures and part self-discovery – and she takes her readers along for every blessed bit. I laughed out loud repeatedly as I read her book and there were some moments where I wondered if Julia and I should be doing some DNA testing. How could someone I’ve only met here in WP-land have the capacity to write what I feel yet hadn’t put into words? Is it cosmic or genetic? I’m not sure, but Julia is a rich example of the power of connection, the importance of remaining open-hearted as the Universe puts divine and inspirational beings on our path.
Please take a peek at my Heart of the Matter post today about Julia’s book, “Voices: Who’s in Charge of the Committee in My Head?” . I cannot recommend it enough. And while I’m at it, if there’s someone in your life who is deserving of praise or recognition, there’s no time like the present. John F. Kennedy said it more succinctly than I can:
“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”
-John F. Kennedy
Yes, yes. And although my dad was no JFK, he was famous for saying “lean into some people, let go of others”. Julia Preston? It’s my privilege to lean into all the goodness she offers. Thank you!
Vicki 😊
Photo by Pexels.com
Victoria Ponders 
Leave a reply to Julia Preston Cancel reply