John, thank you. Also, although I had an inkling it would be hard to write these down, I just realized how hard it is. 😅 And then I discovered more maxims interwoven with each other in the process.
This went right to my heart, Jen. Thank you! It made me think immediately of Robin Wall Kimmerer's writings on kinship and true reciprocity. There is so much to be done in the colonial/imperial world to unravel this idea that mutual obligations and interdependence are some kind of burden. They are a gift! And it's writing like this that help us see it that way.
I haven't forgotten that it was John Lovie who first tagged you in a comment to me, which is how I got introduced to your writing, gratitude to you both!
You are right that for some reason, the imperial mindset seems to view interdependence as a negative thing but it shouldn't be. It should be seen as strength.
Yes it was John! And I am ever so grateful for the intros.
Wow, I am honored to be on your Substack gratitude list! ♥️ Thank you for your wise and beautiful writing, Jen, and thank you for your kind attention to my posts! Thank you also for sharing about your culture. I have a friend from high school with whom I've recently reconnected. Her family is from the Philippines and there is so much about her family's culture I never learned. 😔 She lives in NY and I live in MA, but if I had any idea how to properly honor her mother's memory when she passed away I would have done something. Her mother was always sweet and welcoming when she had all of us in our little friend group over for a celebration, big or small. We are due for another phone chat soon. At least I can let her know how much our renewed friendship means to me. 🌠
What an opportune timing. I am glad you reconnected. Sharing her the memories you had with her and family would be a way to show gratitude because you held a space for them in your memories
Jen, this post has brought tears to my eyes. I want you to know that you are an inspiration. I have always wanted to be the kind of friend, person, who could take special moments of giving gratitude back to all those in my life (I don't forget) who have blessed me in some special way, but my life and really my introverted self (or maybe the way I just ended up growing up) seems to let me down in that department. (gosh, it's harder to express than I thought) what I want to say is that simply by sharing your thoughts and experiences, and the person you are here, you have inspired me. I see your posts pop up in my notifications "Jen Writes Again" 🤓 and I think "yes, I need to write." And now I think, "let me give gratitude back (somehow) and pay it forward too (always, I am good at that I think) 🥰 Thanks Jen 🫶🏻
Thank you Jen for expressing your gratitude here and for sharing more of your culture, experience and reflections with us. Like you I like to take time to read other people’s writing and comment. Obviously it’s balanced with having time to write oneself and life off Substack! But I love the creativity, inspiration and acknowledge this journey we are on here together at this profound time on the planet ❤️🙏
Appreciating you, and your writing, Jen. 🤗
Thank you 🙏🏻 Julie. Always grateful for having you here/
Aaawww I am happy we met here and grateful for your writing and showing up! 🙏
Hello Miranda, sending gratitude your way as well
What a honor to be in a list on Substack you have gratitude for💕
Ditto! You’re an amazing writer Jen and it’s full of surprises. Informational, inspirational and simply brings me joy to read your writing.
“Utang na loob” is my new favorite word
Now to work on teaching how to pronounce that... haha! Jk jk jk!!!
Haha now that’s the challenge of it!! But I love challenges.
Thank you, and I look forward to reading more of your work!
Thanks Mary!
Jen, what an honor to be in such wonderful company. Thank you. 🙏
I love this series so much! I'm already looking forward to the next one!
John, thank you. Also, although I had an inkling it would be hard to write these down, I just realized how hard it is. 😅 And then I discovered more maxims interwoven with each other in the process.
I'm grateful that you've chosen to embrace the difficult and persevere for us.
It's an adventure! I do not say no to adventures.
Bahala na!
Tumpak!!! (translation: Exactly!)
This went right to my heart, Jen. Thank you! It made me think immediately of Robin Wall Kimmerer's writings on kinship and true reciprocity. There is so much to be done in the colonial/imperial world to unravel this idea that mutual obligations and interdependence are some kind of burden. They are a gift! And it's writing like this that help us see it that way.
I haven't forgotten that it was John Lovie who first tagged you in a comment to me, which is how I got introduced to your writing, gratitude to you both!
You are right that for some reason, the imperial mindset seems to view interdependence as a negative thing but it shouldn't be. It should be seen as strength.
Yes it was John! And I am ever so grateful for the intros.
Jen,
Wow, I am honored to be on your Substack gratitude list! ♥️ Thank you for your wise and beautiful writing, Jen, and thank you for your kind attention to my posts! Thank you also for sharing about your culture. I have a friend from high school with whom I've recently reconnected. Her family is from the Philippines and there is so much about her family's culture I never learned. 😔 She lives in NY and I live in MA, but if I had any idea how to properly honor her mother's memory when she passed away I would have done something. Her mother was always sweet and welcoming when she had all of us in our little friend group over for a celebration, big or small. We are due for another phone chat soon. At least I can let her know how much our renewed friendship means to me. 🌠
What an opportune timing. I am glad you reconnected. Sharing her the memories you had with her and family would be a way to show gratitude because you held a space for them in your memories
Thank you, Jen! I will.
Grateful our paths have crossed Jen 💜✨I really adore your writing!
Thanks 🙏🏻 Jen!!!
thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you for reading!
Jen, this post has brought tears to my eyes. I want you to know that you are an inspiration. I have always wanted to be the kind of friend, person, who could take special moments of giving gratitude back to all those in my life (I don't forget) who have blessed me in some special way, but my life and really my introverted self (or maybe the way I just ended up growing up) seems to let me down in that department. (gosh, it's harder to express than I thought) what I want to say is that simply by sharing your thoughts and experiences, and the person you are here, you have inspired me. I see your posts pop up in my notifications "Jen Writes Again" 🤓 and I think "yes, I need to write." And now I think, "let me give gratitude back (somehow) and pay it forward too (always, I am good at that I think) 🥰 Thanks Jen 🫶🏻
Thank you Jen for expressing your gratitude here and for sharing more of your culture, experience and reflections with us. Like you I like to take time to read other people’s writing and comment. Obviously it’s balanced with having time to write oneself and life off Substack! But I love the creativity, inspiration and acknowledge this journey we are on here together at this profound time on the planet ❤️🙏