Wow...that was wonderful, Ilona. I feel less heavy already, and it's only 3:55 A.M. As I opened up the drapes this morning, I noticed the difference in the light already. I could see the silhouette of the mountaintops against the skyline...the light is indeed beginning to change. It lifted my heart. I am thankful.
Your reference to Viola’s message reminded me instantly of this quote from a book I loved and highly recommend:
“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
Candy, The Midnight Library! I loved that book. What a perfect companion to Viola's words. The shelves going on forever, all those unlived lives, and yet the answer the book arrives at is the same one we're reaching for here: this life, fully lived, is the one worth choosing. Thank you for bringing Matt Haig into the conversation. Now I want to reread it.
Thanks Ilona! You and Jenny are certainly contributing to helping me be “alive” and present, exploring new things, and living my best life! I am so grateful for my life and for you being a part of it! 💖
Oh, Ilona, this hits the heart and made me take a pause as well. Thanks for sharing 'suerza' - it's such a beautiful and inspiring word. I also love how you went searching for hope. And found it. That's a lesson right there!
Elizabeth, your art as suerza — yes. That is exactly it. The joy of still being here AND still creating. That blue heart says everything. Keep thriving. 🩵
Kathleen, she gave me the chills too! Some words just land in the body. And next year — Philadelphia Flower Show. Mark your calendar now. You won't regret it.
Melanie, coming from you that means everything. You've inspired me more times than you know. We keep lifting each other — that's the whole point, isn't it?
The flower show looks magnificent! Viola’s definition of hell is profound and will likely get many thinking. Maybe because I have had many brushes with death over the last decade, my attitude and behavior has changed. This combined with my study of Stoicism has benefited my view as clearly something moved Viola. Each night before bed, I journal, asking myself if I were to not awaken, am I happy with what I did that day with my life. That one question has shifted how I live. As always, your writing is so important to share. Much gratitude.
Thanks, I needed the messages of Viola Davis and suerza this week. I also needed the flower show, which I attended a day after you, Ilona. Your photos are exquisite. I had gone with a friend without doing ANY research, so I was expecting live plants and gardening supplies. How wonderful it was to discover I'd walked into a huge exhibit hall filled with flower art! Here's to awakening all the best in us as March opens us up.
Niki, I love that we were both there breathing the same hyacinth-scented air just a day apart! And walking in without expectations — that might be the best way to experience it. No agenda, just discovery. Which is exactly what suerza asks of us, isn't it? To be amazed by what shows up. "Awakening all the best in us...." I may just steal that. Thank you for this beautiful response.
Oh, this is just what the doctor ordered. Thank you, Ilona! I will be sharing your words with my yoga class next Monday. And yes, spring has arrived here as well.
Sue, sharing the words with your yoga class just made my day! There's something so right about these ideas meeting people in their bodies. Thank you for carrying them there.
Ilona, thank you for sharing. Sadly, I don't feel much hope right now as my home situation is getting worse and there's no help forthcoming. I love the speech by Viola Davis... very inspiring. I listen to her with tears streaming down my face. I also love the word suerza. .. such a beautiful word. ❤🤗
Yvonne, I hear you. And I'm not going to pretend that words on a page fix a hard situation at home. They don't. I'm glad Viola moved you — sometimes tears are exactly the right response. Maybe that's its own kind of release. I'm holding you in my heart today, and I hope something shifts toward better very soon. Please know this community sees you.
I noticed early this morning that my daffodils are starting to come up. Spring is indeed finally on her way! Time to come out of the winter darkness and embrace the changes.
I love that word suerza! I’ll have to remember that. Spring is one of my favorite seasons - one thing I miss about driving into work now that I’m retired is seeing the progression of the buds on the trees. I didn’t have to think about making time to observe how the trees slowly go from “fuzzy” buds to beautiful flowers and bright green leaves, I was just there every day. That is what wakes me up is looking at the promise of all of the new life
Carol, the image of you watching those fuzzy buds from your car window every morning — that's its own kind of meditation, isn't it? And now that you're retired, maybe the invitation is to slow down even more into that observation. Spring will keep showing up. So will you.
Wow...that was wonderful, Ilona. I feel less heavy already, and it's only 3:55 A.M. As I opened up the drapes this morning, I noticed the difference in the light already. I could see the silhouette of the mountaintops against the skyline...the light is indeed beginning to change. It lifted my heart. I am thankful.
You are the embodiment of suerza, my friend. I happy you keep turning your face to the sun 💕
Your reference to Viola’s message reminded me instantly of this quote from a book I loved and highly recommend:
“Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”
― Matt Haig, The Midnight Library
Candy, The Midnight Library! I loved that book. What a perfect companion to Viola's words. The shelves going on forever, all those unlived lives, and yet the answer the book arrives at is the same one we're reaching for here: this life, fully lived, is the one worth choosing. Thank you for bringing Matt Haig into the conversation. Now I want to reread it.
Me too!
Sharing our humanity in deep dives, soul catching, inspiring, thought provoking, engaging and spiritual on life. I’m thankful for sharers
All I can say is "wow!" It makes you think. Makes you wake up. Thank you for sharing this, and writing this.
what a refreshing story and the word suerza.. it has a special ring to it
I'm glad it resonated with you and that you liked the word suerza, too. Thank you so much for your comment.
Thanks Ilona! You and Jenny are certainly contributing to helping me be “alive” and present, exploring new things, and living my best life! I am so grateful for my life and for you being a part of it! 💖
Aw thanks, gal! The feeling is mutual for sure! ❤️
Oh, Ilona, this hits the heart and made me take a pause as well. Thanks for sharing 'suerza' - it's such a beautiful and inspiring word. I also love how you went searching for hope. And found it. That's a lesson right there!
Yes, I hope you also felt a wee bit of it, too.
My “suerza” is in my art…. Just joy that I’ve survived this long and continue to thrive….🩵
Elizabeth, your art as suerza — yes. That is exactly it. The joy of still being here AND still creating. That blue heart says everything. Keep thriving. 🩵
The statement Viola made gave me the chills. And I am so jealous that you were able to go to the Philadelphia floral show.
Kathleen, she gave me the chills too! Some words just land in the body. And next year — Philadelphia Flower Show. Mark your calendar now. You won't regret it.
Love this - You have certainly inspired me this week!
Melanie, coming from you that means everything. You've inspired me more times than you know. We keep lifting each other — that's the whole point, isn't it?
Yes it is!!
The flower show looks magnificent! Viola’s definition of hell is profound and will likely get many thinking. Maybe because I have had many brushes with death over the last decade, my attitude and behavior has changed. This combined with my study of Stoicism has benefited my view as clearly something moved Viola. Each night before bed, I journal, asking myself if I were to not awaken, am I happy with what I did that day with my life. That one question has shifted how I live. As always, your writing is so important to share. Much gratitude.
That journaling prompt is profound! Wow. I am in awe. I will adopt this as well, and thank you for sharing it, Jan.
Thanks, I needed the messages of Viola Davis and suerza this week. I also needed the flower show, which I attended a day after you, Ilona. Your photos are exquisite. I had gone with a friend without doing ANY research, so I was expecting live plants and gardening supplies. How wonderful it was to discover I'd walked into a huge exhibit hall filled with flower art! Here's to awakening all the best in us as March opens us up.
Niki, I love that we were both there breathing the same hyacinth-scented air just a day apart! And walking in without expectations — that might be the best way to experience it. No agenda, just discovery. Which is exactly what suerza asks of us, isn't it? To be amazed by what shows up. "Awakening all the best in us...." I may just steal that. Thank you for this beautiful response.
Oh, this is just what the doctor ordered. Thank you, Ilona! I will be sharing your words with my yoga class next Monday. And yes, spring has arrived here as well.
Sue, sharing the words with your yoga class just made my day! There's something so right about these ideas meeting people in their bodies. Thank you for carrying them there.
Ilona, thank you for sharing. Sadly, I don't feel much hope right now as my home situation is getting worse and there's no help forthcoming. I love the speech by Viola Davis... very inspiring. I listen to her with tears streaming down my face. I also love the word suerza. .. such a beautiful word. ❤🤗
Yvonne, I hear you. And I'm not going to pretend that words on a page fix a hard situation at home. They don't. I'm glad Viola moved you — sometimes tears are exactly the right response. Maybe that's its own kind of release. I'm holding you in my heart today, and I hope something shifts toward better very soon. Please know this community sees you.
Great essay, Ilona!
I noticed early this morning that my daffodils are starting to come up. Spring is indeed finally on her way! Time to come out of the winter darkness and embrace the changes.
Kristy, you just gave me the best visual of the morning. Daffodils pushing up is spring saying "ready or not." And so are we. Thank you!
I love that word suerza! I’ll have to remember that. Spring is one of my favorite seasons - one thing I miss about driving into work now that I’m retired is seeing the progression of the buds on the trees. I didn’t have to think about making time to observe how the trees slowly go from “fuzzy” buds to beautiful flowers and bright green leaves, I was just there every day. That is what wakes me up is looking at the promise of all of the new life
Carol, the image of you watching those fuzzy buds from your car window every morning — that's its own kind of meditation, isn't it? And now that you're retired, maybe the invitation is to slow down even more into that observation. Spring will keep showing up. So will you.