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Oct 3Liked by Paulla Rich Estes (she/her)

That moment with a book grabs you by the throat and speaks the words you’ve been choking on for years. This is what writing is for!!

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So true, Pam!

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So much good here. So honest and hopeful, referencing such openness in other’s writings! A Bounty of Brilliance! Just a babe here in the Substack Wood, crawling, wide eyed and drooling!

Thank you Paula and Nan for being here and so connected and supportive and willing to share of your collective wisdom.

Hope springs eternally on Tigger’s Tail!

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Thank you so much for your kind words, Michelle! I'm new at Substack too - so good to meet you. :)

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Jul 29Liked by Paulla Rich Estes (she/her)

This was beautiful Paulla ❤️

I remember realizing how judgmental I was, can be, and then realizing that I had been pointing that same judgmental energy at myself for years.

Breaking free from it is still a process so I really appreciate your reflection this week.

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Thank you, Jamal. OH god, yes, pointing that same judgmental energy at ourselves. What a defeating and purposeless thing to do. It's definitely a process! Thanks so much for your kind words.

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Jul 29·edited Jul 29Liked by Paulla Rich Estes (she/her)

Wow, Paula. Thank you! I'm gobsmacked that you've referenced my essay in this beautiful, introspective piece. We all have to own our judgmental behaviors. We all do it, at least us run-of-the-mill humans. I was going to say that the only people who don't are the evolved lamas and gurus..but even that's not accurate. An example that I often use is the Dalai Lama's fat phobia. So he's human, too. My judgy voice will always live in my head. I'm pretty sure of that. What's different is I'm gaining perspective and a handy toolkit to help me notice those moments, and appreciate what the message is. The message is always that I need to look at myself, and tease out what triggers me and causes me to jump to a "superior" stance. If I'm paying attention, I always learn something! Sending you my best! xoxo

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Thank you for this, Nan. I so agree about gaining perspective and having a toolkit at the ready when the judgy messages raise their ugly heads. Thank you for making me think! :)

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Jul 29Liked by Paulla Rich Estes (she/her)

So good to know you! I can't wait to dig into your writing. We're doing it!

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We ARE!! :) :)

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Jul 29Liked by Paulla Rich Estes (she/her)

😝

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