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| The Nut Gatherers. William-Adolphe Bouguereau |
I'm still pondering the act of sharing. For sharing to succeed it must be received. In
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce, the main character is surprised by his ability to listen. His capacity for stillness encourages people to share their stories. These are often painful, confessional and unseemly. Harold is often confounded but his compassion and comprehension strengthen. I'm all for personal growth. In semi retirement there is more time for such aspirations. I will work on listening. I will seek out stories beyond my frame of reference. I will strive to be in the moment and set judgement aside. Has someone shared a story which had a profound effect on you?
Dear Susan,
ReplyDeleteThe answer to your question is 'yes'. I won't go into details but the revelation made me think about my own life and as a result some important changes took place. I wouldn't be where I am today without that episode of very personal sharing.
By the way, I do like the works of Bouguereau.
You were brave to see the truth of it, Kirk.
DeleteI have just listened to you and order the book from Amazon - also saw it recommended by Pondside straight after reading your post.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to its arrival.
I have just finished it. I'm left contemplating the complex and fragile nature of the human condition.
DeleteI admit to being a good listener, but fortunately and unfortunately, became the go-to person when people had big problems. I tried to help and be a good friend, but when the problems became too deep, I found myself going down with them also. I had to change and find a way to "be there" for people but not immerse myself in their problems as much.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It can get too much when everyone is bringing you their problems.
DeleteI loved the Harold fry book - he's such an unlikely hero but, like most people we meet in life, he had a variety of demons that shaped his life.
ReplyDeleteIt was sometimes a difficult read due to the fact it made me look at my own life with some perspective.
Most people have incredible stories if we choose to be quiet and listen for long enough.
It is a thought provoking book. I was sorry when I reached the end.
DeleteHow odd that we mentioned the same book. I haven't yet finished reading it, but it is a keeper.
ReplyDeleteIn my work I spend a lot of time listening to the stories of people who have had lives filled with such pain and violence that it is nearly incomprehensible that a person could survive so much. I also hear stories of people who have done unspeakable things to other people. Usually I can listen - be a vessel of some sort - but manage not to carry the pain with me. There are a very few stories, however, that have stayed with me. If they haven't been life-changing the have been attitude-changing.
Did you ever read the book "The Giver" by Lois Lowry? People who do work such as yours deserve some veneration from the rest of society. An acknowledgement of the strength and wisdom it requires.
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful book. I will have to look into some of Rachel Joyce's books. I wish I had more time to read.
When I was in college I remember feeling desperate to read a book purely for pleasure. As a mother my reading was predominantly stories for my little ones. Now I have time and I'm making the most of it.
DeleteWhen I was a teenager I had the opportunity to interview a survivor of the Japanese American internment camps. Listening to her story made me realize how shallow and petty most of the things we worry about are. Just having your freedom means everything else is icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteVery good point. I'm going to expand on the thought in my next post.
DeleteThe story of my father in a prisoner of war camp in Germany during WW11 had the most effect on me.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Laura
Thank you for the glowing review - I have ordered it from our local library. I am always looking for new books to read, new authors to discover.
ReplyDeleteI read several good reviews of the book. I am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDelete