27 Comments

“If you think you know the lesson before you’ve lived it, you don’t yet know the lesson.” — now that’s something that’s going to stay with me. Wow. So much to chew on there… and I’m often guilty of thinking I know, before I’ve had the chance to experience it. Glad you’re feeling better, Katie!

Expand full comment
Oct 5, 2023Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Reminds me of "if you don't choose to rest your body will choose for you and you probably won't like it's timing". I'm terrible at this and remember...about the time I start to feel sick...life is all a practice, eh?

Glad you're feeling better!

Expand full comment

"Instead of letting myself live it, I tried to orchestrate it." Ouch, that hit home. I feel fortunate this is a habit that is firmly in my rearview mirror. Thanks for the reminder to keep it there!

Expand full comment

You, and other writers here, are constant sources of inspiration. We're so much stronger together than we are locked in the isolation of our own heads and hearts. I look forward to your posts and often find ideas to reflect on. Glad you feel better!

Expand full comment

Thank you for this, Katie. It spoke to me and inspired a post I wrote on my blog this weekend. https://harvestingstones.com/ancestors/.

Expand full comment
founding
Oct 6, 2023Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

Thank you Katie for the shout-out! :) I'm honoured to be featured and hope you enjoyed the piece!

Expand full comment

Katie, so glad you are feeling better. I love the descriptions of your daughter. I’m amazed that you found some beauty in all that sick. I listened to that interview too. I loved it. I particularly loved how she said every day we get to say who we are. I write a little bit about it here https://pocketfulofprose.substack.com/p/your-story-is-sacred

About claiming who we are so who we are not doesn’t take up too much space. It kind of connects to who you want to be in regards to rest and pleasure.

Expand full comment

Happy you're feeling better! What resonates with me is never ending up writing what I plan. This is my first attempt at "real" writing and being held accountable to produce weekly. I committed to 52 weeks. I research, outline, and plan, and it comes out completely different than ever imagined. Is this because I'm a new writer, or is there a journalistic secret I'm missing?

Disciplined pleasure is an interesting concept. I suppose I use this for working out. I never exercise doing things I don't like, bordering on love. I intuitively workout, so when I start getting dressed I ask myself what sounds fun? It can range from stretching, hiking, swimming, biking, strolling, or sometimes swinging a golf club or bouncing a ball. I stay consistent this way. I'm 65 and been working out since 28 years old. If something gets boring I let it go.

I want to use disciplined pleasure in art, but it's a struggle. I'm a frustrated wanna-be artist! Haha, oh well, that might be something I must let go. Anyway, great read, thank you.

Expand full comment
Oct 3, 2023Liked by Katie Hawkins-Gaar

lol, I love brains. So, so good that you just made that up.

Expand full comment