Comments on: For Smiley

By: Shannon

Shannon — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:08:57 +0000

I hope you get gobs and gobs and gobs of comments, even through the next year and not just right after you post. You know, I think I had an easier time writing about gut wrenching things before people I “knew” actually read it. I think I can be real with strangers, but I get tied into worrying that somebody that works for me, or somebody that I want to think I’m doing really well when I’m writing about life struggles.

Sigh.

So just keep writing what you write, and write what is important to you. Virtual love, and yes, we are listening. You are not alone. Shan

By: Ruth

Ruth — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:19:45 +0000

Blessings to you and much peace,
Swirling gently around and above you,
With comfort and quietness.
Light coming through the shadows
to brighten the way–
That leads forward, always forward…
Like a beacon, to hold us by our hand,
stumbling at times,
while choking back the tears
KNOWING
that understanding and clarity will come
in time
and that the “peace which passes all understanding”
will preserve and keep our soul. And, so, it has.

By: colleen

colleen — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:02:46 +0000

I get the most comments on my blog when I write from the heart about myself, when I share my inner process, which I think is a universal struggle even though the details may be different for each person. I appreciate the humor and light more when the shadow is also shared. I think as writers we can’t ignore it. We have to go where the energy is.

I agree that when I talk about my struggles I feel uncomfortable and maybe embarrassed. Why is that? We tend not to like to draw attention to ourselves.

By: CountryDew

CountryDew — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:28:59 +0000

Your words are always special and I’m glad that you have found an outlet with blogging. Keep writing, regardless of topic, because you never know who you will touch.

By: clara Melvin

clara Melvin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:05:18 +0000

I’m glad you hit the “Publish” button….and I am glad you are my friend.

By: Ariel

Ariel — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:45:00 +0000

I love that you take the worst things that happen to you and make them the best things about you, in that you have been scarred and broken and alone, but through it, you became a person that others can turn to when they feel the same way. I love Smiley, and I love you.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:43:15 +0000

“…it’s better to risk your heart than to close it.” Oh ………….. You are so brave, Beth, to write a post like this. I wrote a long letter to Maggie yesterday that took me all day to compose. I imagine that the process was something similar to what you went through in composing this post. I wrote some, thought about it, reflected on it, changed it, wrote some more, went back and reflected on what I had written … it was a long, agonizing process, but I finally sent it last night and I wonder if I will get a response. I ended my letter with the poem Desiderata, by Max Ehrmann. What a wonderfully wise poem! I laid myself open, like you, and I think it will be a measure of her humanity if and how she responds. Folks have responded to your post and their responses are a measure of their humanity. Yes, it is risky to feel … We’ve all been terribly hurt in our lives because that is the price we pay for still being alive. But we have to overcome our hurts and you have been such a wonderful friend in helping me get over my hurt. Bless you, my friend!!

By: NCMountainwoman

NCMountainwoman — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:18:19 +0000

What a powerful and moving post. I’m so glad you did push the “publish” button. Who knows how many people will know they are not alone when they read about Smiley?

By: Ginger

Ginger — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:09:33 +0000

Maybe most of the world loves a happy girl or happy boy, but it is good to know that there are some folks out there, some wonderful folks, who prefer a REAL girl, woman, boy, man. Thanks for keeping it real.

By: Martha

Martha — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 17:01:17 +0000

Beth, this post was beautiful! It must have been hard to write about difficult moments in your life. I really appreciate you sharing this. Your blog has become one of my very favourite places to visit. Whenever I see that you have added a new post, I save it until I can sit down without being disturbed to savour it.

I am sorry that you experienced difficulties in your life, but I do admire your courage and your strong will. You are a remarkable woman. You endured abuse, and instead of becoming an abuser yourself, or spending your life being bitter, you have risen above it to become this wonderful, warm and loving person. You are truly an inspiration to all who know you.