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Mr. Troy Ford's avatar

Great round-up, my dear, so needed. 💚💙💜

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you very much, my friend!! ♥️

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Oh Holly, I don't think we can be reminded enough of the need to remember who and where and what we belong to... this is a perfectly wonderful and timely piece of writing. you say "“To sleep and eat and roam and connect the dots of who you are and what your place in the world is in spaces little touched by our human foibles is the gift of a lifetime.” I am holding on to the wisdom of this with all my might! Thank you so much for the gift you give in these words - I love love love every one! ♥️xx

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, Susie. One of my favorite things about this space is how it enables us to be writing almost in real time with each other--how we can rift off the words and thoughts of other writers. It's one of the reasons I love these curated lists; I can write straight to what someone else has said.

And I so appreciate you being here and commenting and the way we're holding onto similar wisdom. ♥️♥️♥️

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Holly I listened to your conversation with Kimberly yesterday - I haven’t commented yet but I will this evening - so much of it resonated, not only, but it was if I was speaking, it was extraordinary!! I could quote almost the entire conversation! The power of Kindred souls! ♥️xxx

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you so much for listening. I know I've already replied to your comment over there by this point. But I just want to reiterate how grateful I am for you and how very much I agree that we are kindred souls and that we are very fortunate to have connected.

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Susie Mawhinney's avatar

Bless you Holly, I am constantly overwhelmed by the camaraderie I find here but there are a certain few, you know who they are, that make magic in my kitchen every time I read them… kindred spirits certainly but also, something even more beautiful beyond that which binds us in community and connection. Thank you for being one of them… xx

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

There is so much wisdom and beauty here, Holly, that I hardly know where to begin. I was with some of my closest friends this evening. One of them pondered the challenge of both staying focused on what's right in front of us, and simultaneously doing more. My answer was "Yes."

We do both. You do both here, as do each of the writers you featured. We are all each other's people. Thank you, Holly. I hope you are finding some relief from the flare.

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Holly Starley's avatar

I, too, keep talking and thinking about how it's all about both right now--like not in an in between way but, for me, rather, a full-on to both. I want to be present with all my heart for the close and personal and the joy in that and the needs of those I hold dear. And then I want to be fully pressing against the needs of the moment when it's time for that.

Here's to yes, my friend, and to doing it together with friends across the globe.

Yes, flare has let up quite a bit finally. Woot woot. Thank you. ♥️

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Michael Edward's avatar

A wonderful collection here, Holly.

I loved what Adaeze Elechi said about creativity.

I also loved what you said here —

“To sleep and eat and roam and connect the dots of who you are and what your place in the world is in spaces little touched by our human foibles is the gift of a lifetime.”

:)

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, Michael! I loved Adaeze Elechi's words on creativity to. And the chapter from her memoir is fire. She's a truly beautiful writer, and it's clear her creativity has found its home.

And that was my favorite line, as far as my own words--which I say only to point out how often you point to the lines I really loved writing and how much I appreciate our friendship through words.

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Michael Edward's avatar

Ohh no way!? That’s so awesome! I love when I pick out a line of yours that you also love. There is something strangely satisfying about that haha. And right back ya you, Holly — I really appreciate our friendship through words too. :)

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Cathy Jacob's avatar

Thanks for these recommendations, Holly.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you for reading, Cathy! ♥️♥️♥️

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

So very true, Holly -- "What a beautiful reminder that what matters is what we create up close and personal. " And all of it, actually. xo

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thanks, Jeanine!

xo back your way ♥️

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Paulette Bodeman's avatar

Thank you, Holly, for this list of writers with words I want and need to read. As always, I look forward to reading your work.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, Paulette. I appreciate you dearly.

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Dr. Susan R Meyer's avatar

Uplifting.

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Holly Starley's avatar

♥️♥️♥️

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Donna McArthur's avatar

This is chock full of excellent reading, thanks Holly!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, Donna.

Man, I'm grateful for the wonderful things to read here.

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Kimberly Warner's avatar

Beautiful offering Holly. And calling.

“Now, more than ever, I’m compelled to remember with my head, heart, and feet how strangers, how those among us who are most vulnerable belong to me / how we all belong to each other.

With an emphasis on “feet” as you remind us all that the embodiment of our belong asks that we reach our hands, walk toward, connect, and embrace.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Soooo true, Kimberly.

To reaching out and walking toward and connecting and embracing. The world needs as much as that as each of us can muster right about now.

Thank you for reading and commenting, my friend. Your support always means a ton.

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Sandy S's avatar

Sending thoughts of ease and renewal your way Holly. Let it be. All of the links and your writing are greatly appreciated! May your future travels and new friends take you on boundless adventures!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, thank you, Sandy!

I am for sure finding ease and renewal these days. So I'll say I felt your sending them my way.

And thanks ever so much for reading and commenting.

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Marc Typo's avatar

Thank you so much Holly. Sitting with Fredrick words right now. So needed.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Sooo needed. And yours too, my friend.

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Marya Hornbacher's avatar

Fabulous, wise list. And I can't wait to see the piece you're working on!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you. 🥰

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Stephanie Sweeney's avatar

Thank you for curating these resources. I’ve saved Joseph’s post to read later. Best of luck with the piece you’re working on, this work is important.

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Holly Starley's avatar

That piece is so, so good.

Thank you, Stephanie. I’m so glad you’re here.

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Gary Gruber's avatar

A deep and broad perspective that increases appreciation for who we are, wherever we are. Gratitude abides!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Thank you, Gary!

I feel full of gratitude myself. For so many things. And particularly for all the wisdom and connection among writers here--you among them of course.

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Heather R's avatar

Good morning, Holly. I have been thinking of you. Right now we are on a journey we did not choose, you especially. This week I have definitely struggled emotionally with what's happening. Many days I can do my little piece (call or write a legislator) and then put it away and be present in my life. But last Tuesday I couldn't shake the suffering and then had a personal unpleasant reminder of what a small percentage of the people in my new area are in alignment with me. I often feel so isolated here. Of course, even here there ARE people fighting for the same things I believe in, but being the new kid plus super crunched on time lately it has been difficult to come together in community.

My daily go-to's for information and inspiration are probably known to most - Heather Cox Richardson and Rebecca Solnit. One small shift I've made is sometimes writing to my more local representatives as the State Leg is in session and deciding some very important bills. This feels like an important, but less visible act - a little less like screaming into the void at the federal level.

I'll leave with a Brene Brown quote: Strong backs, soft fronts, and wild hearts.

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Holly Starley's avatar

Ohhhhh. that Brene Brown quote is perfect for the moment, isn't it. I appreciate your wisdom again and again, Heather, and am so grateful we connected.

And I very much resonate with how isolating it can feel to be surrounded by (or in close connection with) people who are out of alignment with issues that are profoundly important and deeply felt. Thank goodness for the ease of wider online connections, say, in times when the fact of our out on a limbness alone is made clear. And also for writing and other forms of art and media that reminds us of others close and far fighting for what matters to us.

Thank you for all the steps you're taking. May the combination of the many of us taking those steps (even when it feels "small" or like we wish we could fit in more) move mountains.

I appreciate you much, dear friend.

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Sandy S's avatar

What you are doing is so important Heather! Be good to yourself, that your back, front and heart may flourish and bring the change you desire. Every act brings the desired change.

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Holly Starley's avatar

It is important, Sandy. And this is a beautiful, beautifully worded wish that I echo for us all.

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