Finding Our People

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



41 responses to “Finding Our People”

  1. […] Visit my Victoria Ponders post today to learn more about my appreciation for blogging friends, my love of Julia’s book and why her […]

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  2. drgeraldstein Avatar
    drgeraldstein

    Here, hear to you and Julia, Vicki!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy Sunday morning to you, Dr. Stein…and thank you! 😊

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  3. Before I started my blog, I would never have believed there was such a wonderful, thoughtful and welcoming online community. I get so much out of the connections I’ve made here. There’s nothing better than when someone takes the time to read what I’ve written and then leave a thoughtful comment. Have a wonderful Sunday, Vicki!

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Gosh…beautifully said, Michelle. Thank you…and Happy Sunday back to you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Now this is my idea of a post with some very important messages, Vicki. You must be a very good counselor!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Oh my, Jane. Thank you so much. What a delight it is to count you as one of my beautiful blogging friends. xo! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Hear hear to what Michelle said! What a wonderful blessing it is to be a part of such a wonderful group of warm hearts and like-minded souls. Thank you to Vicki and Wynne for creating this wonderful space—and oh-my-goodness, Vicki, thank you from my top to my bottom for your glowing book review. Have you ever considered a second career as a book publicist? I couldn’t pay you enough for your wonderful review! With gratitude beyond measure, I thank you from top to bottom, inside and out! With much love to you!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I know! Michelle nailed it! Warm hearts and like-minded souls? I think you nailed it, too, Julia. Perfect description of friendships that matter. And LOL about the book publicist business. I only speak the truth…so I’d probably be a colossal flop because I can’t put a shine on something stinky. 😉 Here’s to you, Julia!

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  6. I agree: I love the creative energy that comes from the community. Couldn’t have said it better myself!

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thanks, Ally – and not just for your sweet comment but for being one of the wonderful souls who offers the goodness, the humor, the connections. Appreciate you! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  7. What a wonderful tribute to Julia and this delightful community. I love what you say about being able to sense people IRL – the ones that make us feel safe and comfortable. It strikes me that what gives the WP community a leg up is when we write from our authentic, deep, and vulnerable places that sometimes speeds our getting to know each other process. Beautiful post, Vicki!! ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Ohh…that’s beautiful, Wynne. Love it…”when we write from our authentic, deep and vulnerable places…speeds getting to know each other”. I think you’re right on there – right on! 🥰

      Liked by 1 person

  8. WP is a wonder in itself. The community and friendships I feel each day are a joy in my life. I have handful of people IRL that make me feel the way my fellow bloggers do. As for your book “Surviving Sue” I’m in shock with hateful things your mother said to you and about you! You’re much to kind to her in writing her story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Elizabeth – I agree! Our WP community and friendships are pretty darn special! And yes – my mother struggled, and I was often her target, but learning to understand what drove her bad behavior helped me make peace with it. Thank you so much for reading. 💕

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      1. I thought I had struggles with my childhood until I began your book. Although my parents were less than perfect, they exuded love to both me and my brother.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Yep. I think that’s the thing that connects all of us…parents are people, too – and some are better than others as they handle their own stress, mental illness, addiction. I think Sue couldn’t see past the possibility, always, that I might be a threat to her. So glad that one of your ‘take-aways’ is seeing the love in your family. Good, good, good. 💕

          Liked by 2 people

          1. I think Sue knew you knew exactly what was going on and she was threatened.

            Liked by 1 person

            1. Thanks for that…I’m grateful to you for reading and for sharing your thoughts. Big hugs! 🥰

              Liked by 1 person

  9. I agree with your fellow readers comments above, and I too appreciate my friendships I have gain through WP! I love how you bring out the best in people through your content and your outlook on life is amazing! Cheers to you! 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. What a truly beautiful comment and compliment, Mary! Feeling the same about you. 🥰❤️🥰

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  10. I wish WP had the PM feature, as I’d really rather send this message in private, but since it does not, i’m gonna be brave. First things first, thank you for this post. I absolutely adore how you lift up your fellow bloggers! Secondly, this post lead me to the podcasts, and I just finished listening to the very first podcast between you & Wynne. I loved your story about the woman in your class who trusted you because you took the time to know how to pronounce her name (your stories always touch my heart). But my question is– do you ever worry that all this optimism comes across as fake? I want so much to believe that all this loving, hand-holding, kissy-kissy community stuff is real, but i’ve never known this to be true in real life. where are the haters, backstabbers, and trolls? (does it make me the troll for asking??). i want to feel like i can be trusting and optimistic too … but i’m still somewhat on the fence about whether all of this is real. btw, this is linnie. i was having a very hard time with an open blog, so i switched back to private. thanks for hearing me!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Hi! So nice to hear from you Teddy/Linnie 😉 — thanks for sharing that it’s you. Wynne and I wondered about you – noticing that your blog was deactivated.
      First – you are so sweet to share the kind comment about lifting others up and I’m thrilled you’ve listened to one of our podcasts (gosh, we’re learning as we go with all of that). Second – your question about what’s real vs. fakery with the optimism and positivity? It’s me…it’s Wynne…we don’t know how to be anything else and hopefully the authenticity comes through. It’s one of the qualities that matters most to me in the world, and I think it’s because I’ve seen the ‘other side’ with people who’ve been opportunists and self-serving. I hope that comes through in what you read from me and as you listen. Everyone’s journey is their own and I wish you nothing but good things, always. I appreciate your comments and your question. Never would I think of you as a troll! Take care! 🥰

      Liked by 2 people

      1. i tried really hard to keep my blog public, but my anxiety got the best of me. thanks for your kindness. ❤

        Liked by 1 person

    2. It takes a whole lot of courage to share the truth within your heart, so kudos for doing so ‘in public’. I know exactly how you feel! I’ve been on the planet for a very long time; I’ve sifted and sorted my way through what’s real and what’s fake—but oh boy—not so easy to do in today’s world. But where this blog and it’s contributors are concerned, I just wanted to pop in here to assure you that what you read here are from people who are sincere, honest, true to themselves, and genuine seekers of the best within themselves. There is not one that I would not love to meet in person, sit and chat with over a cuppa something, and share heartfelt stories on a soul level. It’s nearly impossible to find such a person in “real life”. It’s miraculous to find such a group courtesy of the etheric. I feel very blessed to have found this community. A rarity it is indeed. Thank you Wynne and Vicki! Virtual hugs for all. ☺️

      Liked by 3 people

      1. thank you, julia! very kind of you to chime in. ❤

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Thank you both! Appreciate your thoughts today, Teddy and of course, Julia is every bit as magical and heartfelt as she seems. What a treat to interact with both of you in the comments here. And you know this is coming…hugs all around! 🥰🥰🥰

          Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you for all of that, Julia, and for contributing to the goodness. 💕

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Yes. Kindred spirits.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. I’m happy to hear that you’re finding your people! Love Julia’s wisdom. Thank you for letting us know about her book! I’ve been thinking about wordpress and the friends I’ve made her versus in real life. I can be cranky and skeptical but wordpress has definitely created something great. The encouragement and enthusiasm for other’s work and the road they’re traveling is outstanding. It continues to drive me. Thanks Vicki! Thanks Julia!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Brian! You offer so much that makes the community fun! 😉❤️😉

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Thank YOU Brian for the big and big-hearted part you play in it all! Geez. What a love fest! 😍

    Liked by 1 person

  14. […] yesterday, when I was reading Vicki’s blog, Finding Our People, it brought the topic full circle for me. I’m grateful to be part of this wonderful and […]

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  15. Cool! I didn’t know Julia had a book. I’ll add it to my list 👍

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