What you're talking about seems to me the seed of all morality, its singular vision of the relationship between the self and an other. When you have a child, you are no longer self-sealed the way you were before.
Hildegard von Bingen was an 11th century mystic and Renaissance woman, artist, musician and gifted writer. One of her most famous quotes is "The feather flew, not because of anything in itself, but because the air bore it along. Thus am I: but a feather on the breath of God.”
How sweet to find your note. I'm sure you can recognize the time and place from whence it came. Grady's return to Discovery upended my sense of where I belonged and what my role might be. I'm glad you read it and took the time to write a comment.
Your gracious response, also greatly appreciated. Something I find here in this Substack realm is a different kind of engagement—almost like finding oneself at a bookstore reading over coffee and nodding to another across the room who "gets" something just shared. Apart from that, writing such as this piece is a help to me as I wrestle with reticence in shifting from the direct "here's step one, step two" of the very literal writing that has enabled success in my career, aiming for lower and lower educational levels the higher one wants to communicate (i.e. Grade 4 level for senior execs). To capture meaning subtly, through observation (if that's the write word) is what I yearn to do and hope I can carve time to develop that skill. Thanks for the inspiration.
What you're talking about seems to me the seed of all morality, its singular vision of the relationship between the self and an other. When you have a child, you are no longer self-sealed the way you were before.
But what is Hildegard's feather?
Hildegard von Bingen was an 11th century mystic and Renaissance woman, artist, musician and gifted writer. One of her most famous quotes is "The feather flew, not because of anything in itself, but because the air bore it along. Thus am I: but a feather on the breath of God.”
I became rapt with this story. A subtle drawing in happens, and I am there with you. Thanks
How sweet to find your note. I'm sure you can recognize the time and place from whence it came. Grady's return to Discovery upended my sense of where I belonged and what my role might be. I'm glad you read it and took the time to write a comment.
Beautiful.
thank you so much for taking the time to post a comment. I never know if anyone is really reading my stuff. It was fabulous to see your kind comment.
Your gracious response, also greatly appreciated. Something I find here in this Substack realm is a different kind of engagement—almost like finding oneself at a bookstore reading over coffee and nodding to another across the room who "gets" something just shared. Apart from that, writing such as this piece is a help to me as I wrestle with reticence in shifting from the direct "here's step one, step two" of the very literal writing that has enabled success in my career, aiming for lower and lower educational levels the higher one wants to communicate (i.e. Grade 4 level for senior execs). To capture meaning subtly, through observation (if that's the write word) is what I yearn to do and hope I can carve time to develop that skill. Thanks for the inspiration.