@Alison – guyette! I think I might be in love with you.

@Alicia – thank you! Whatever weird things you did to your underwire totally helped! Or didn’t not-help! Because it was a smooth non-intrusive experience. Here’s to not getting molested by strange old ladies in uniform.

@Gilbert – You know, that’s so interesting that you bring this up.

Because we all have had the experience of the thing-that’s-really-challenging hold the greatest blessing. And it happens so often that it’s really easy to think that this is where the blessings *live* — in the hard.

And then lately I have been finding that I’m also getting so many amazing epiphanies or gifts from things that aren’t hard. It’s as though things that used to be hard are getting softer.

And in that soft are also all these really awesome understandings that I wasn’t letting myself have, because I have this hardcore rule that all my learning has to happen where it’s hard.

So my practice lately has been letting things happen in ease, and finding out what the hidden good stuff is there, in the place where I’d never thought to look.

It’s not that I’m going to stop taking Useful Understandings from the hard, just that I’m opening up space for them to come (theoretically, at least) from the not-so-hard.

And — as always — I madly appreciate all your Gilbert-wishes, in whatever form they take. Knowing you is one of my favorite things. I’d burn barns (or bars) with you whenever. Maybe even both at the same time? Because that seems like it would be extra fun.

@jon – you can kind of assume that I’m always secretly asking for Lou Reed lyrics in comment zen. Because really, what is comment zen if not one big request for Lou Reed lyrics? Though I’m also open to the Pogues.

Hey Brooks, how come you never ask for Lou Reed lyrics in comment zen?

I’m wishing you feelings of safety and comfort, and valuable experiences. Big hugs to you.
.-= Josiane´s last post … Retreating to write – and being treated to so much more =-.

Anxiety and excitement usually go hand in hand for me – they certainly did last week!

Fly safely.
.-= G. Romilly´s last post … Stitching over the Seams =-.

I feel relieved to read that others freak out in these ways before trips to, yes, even their favorite places in the world. I adore traveling to other places, get a high from it pretty much always, in spite of whatever freakout. So yay Havi! Have a blast. And I’m so glad you have the back of your and your gentleman friend’s hands and so many friends and so many languages and so much love. Yay!
.-= Heidi Fischbach (@curiousHeidiHi)´s last post … Away =-.

Doesn’t really matter if I, or anybody else, understands though. It’s real to you. I can offer you sympathy, even empathy, but it’s still not your reality.

Unlike everybody else, though, I’m not going to wish you peace and no irritants or drama. I’m going to wish you precisely what you need to grow and reach another potential. The suck is sometimes the only way to get to the good. It still sucks though. Especially when nobody else can completely understand.

And, yes, I would totally burn down a barn with you. ;^P

Berlin! Whoo!

Wishing you well with the freaking-out-tradition and the not-packing and the general getting ready and feeling ready and not ready for Berlin! And wonderful times in your favorite city, with lots of cheese, and a manageable, pleasant even, flight to and from.

Love and hugs–

Janet