Comments on: Pain engraves a deeper memory

By: Nancy Jane Smith

Nancy Jane Smith — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:31:38 +0000

I am a little late in commenting on this post–I read it on Sunday and honestly have been thinking about it since then. I love posts that make me think!! I have also been thinking about how to comment since then. Such an excellent reminder on a number of levels. I keep thinking about why we always associate heavy questions and going deep with being depressed or sad. Something that I think is missing from the self-help movement is that life is complex. Yes we should think positively but life can be hard and there are tough questions. When we answer those deep questions we can then embrace our joy and our melancholy!

I also found it fascinating when you said that people often ask you if you are depressed it made me realize how we never really know how we are perceived. Ironic that we are such complex, layered creatures yet our first habit is to simplify each other into one dimensional beings.

As Always–Thank you.

Off to buy Devotion!

By: Faith’s Conversation

Faith’s Conversation — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:57:06 +0000

[...] entitled Devotion by Dani Shapiro. I started it yesterday and have barely been able to put it down (just like Lindsey). It’s a powerful articulation of one woman’s own journey out of, into, and around and [...]

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:49:56 +0000

This post is beautiful, Lyndsey. I think your blog is lovely and I will read bits and pieces (your older posts) as I have time.

I just finished reading Devotion as well (and furiously underlined my way through it.) Dani Shapiro is one of my favorite writers so I know what to expect from her. Even so, this particular work took my breath away.

I appreciate how much you share of yourself here. I am also quite introspective, sensitive and a more than a little dark. My mother would describe me as intense (and not in a good way.) Lately, though, I have been discovering new sources of joy and ways to protect myself from taking on too much of the suffering in the world. Joy and pain, sugar and salt.

Your writing is elegant and true.

By: Suzicate

Suzicate — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:22:09 +0000

Feeling deeply (though painful as it may be) is much better not not feeling at all because that is simply not lively. Feeling deeply allows you to love to the core of your being and experience life to it’s fullest. Those feelings strengthen us and shape us into who we are, and we are ever changing.

By: Ronna Detrick

Ronna Detrick — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 16:11:22 +0000

Lindsey: Your courage to tell the truth is what makes you and your writing so beautiful, meaningful, strong, poignant, and important.

‘Must take issue with one statement however:

“Dani Shapiro is speaking straight from my heart, albeit far more elegantly and eloquently than I ever could.”

Indeed, she is an amazing writer, but I won’t accept that such is any less true about you. I wonder if perhaps, at least in part, her writing style and ability (so close to your own) is why she touches you in such deep places; a mirror of your own heart, voice, and yes, elegance and eloquence.

You invite all of us to feel the contractions; the parts of our lives and hearts we’d sometimes rather dull with an epidural or just ignore completely. Your labor and birthing is glorious!

By: BigLittleWolf

BigLittleWolf — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:07:36 +0000

Eloquent indeed.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 12:49:54 +0000

Your words ring so true with so many of us. I cringe in that a friend told me I was strong. I could deal with a problem that was coming where as the friend did not think that she could. I wrote a letter to that friend on my blog and truly I am not that strong. I feel the pain but realize it moves me to see the brightness in life easier. If we only experience the bright light, it becomes dulled to our senses.

What you wrote takes me to lyrics from a popular song by Lady Antebellum: “Guess I’d rather hurt than feel nothing at all”

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 07:03:25 +0000

Hi Lindsey, In my first writing class, my professor never allowed us to assume anything was “true,” even if the writer said it was creative nonfiction. We’d always have to refer to the work as just that – a piece of writing containing characters. It was a very important lesson even for blogging in that here we only reveal what we want to reveal. I write a humorous blog but, of course, I live a real life. Not every day is funny. I’ve had many miserable days – all while writing my humorous blog.

By: Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities

Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:08:21 +0000

Ah, the blogger’s dilemma. Do we write what we want to write, what moves us, what compels us to create? Or do we hesitate, imagine the reactions, and tread cautiously with our hearts and pens?

By: Alexis Grant

Alexis Grant — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 02:24:27 +0000

I just started DEVOTION. Its theme is really universal, something I think a lot of us can relate to! Have you watched Dani’s trailer on her Web site? I love it because she tells the story, and now when I’m reading the book, I can hear her soothing voice.

Looking forward to more posts on your reaction to Devotion. How great that it makes you think about your own life! That’s the sign of a solid memoir.