I have so much love for you right now Rob. What an AMAZING essay. It gives me hope for the future of humanity and I needed that more than you can know. The eating thing? That’s me. And you lived in Russia? Dude! Amazing! Russian translation was my jam for about 12 years and I lived in a few different places. Maybe I’ll see you in France if we could figure it out somehow. Anyway, I’ll finish by wishing you bon courage!
Incredible, Rob.... what a freaking journey. I identify with the whole lot of it, being a Lone Wolf myself. I joined Foster last season to test the waters again, to see if maybe this was a group I could trust. I’ve got so many Wolf layers to shed still, but I can see glimmers of trust gems. Congratulations on this chapter and for trusting yourself in the fire. I’m so encouraged by your path!
Brilliant and brave. Bravo, Rob! Reminds me of a favorite quote from Rilke: “ Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
Beautiful essay Rob. So much of this resonates, especially the lone wolf part. Before joining the Foster community, I mostly kept my creative expression to myself, which never felt that satisfying. Since joining Foster, and publishing online, I’ve felt myself - my being - expand. So the connection between authentic expression and individuation you mention feels very, very alive right now.
Also, it’s been such a joy watching Foster’s story and message evolve over time. And with you involved, I know it’s in good hands.
Rob your essay had me smiling halfway through. I know this probably wasn't easy to write, let alone publish. You probably think it could have been said better, but it was perfect.
One of the things I enjoy about your writing is your authenticity. You can't fake anything. Every line is 100% you. I love it.
Since those cozy times in The Arena last year when I met you, I've noticed a continuous evolution in your writing and thinking. While most are busy niching down, you're rising up (even if it feels slow). Where they're narrowing their thoughts on one thing, you're spreading yours to adjacent fields to get to know yourself and the world better. It's inspiring to witness.
I was wondering why I hadn't seen or heard as much from you over the summer. Now I know why. You were in a cocoon that felt tight and uncomfortable. You were evolving. And you've emerged as something new and something more.
I'm very happy and excited for your move to France!
I know what it's like to move to a new country, to a new living and social situation. It's thrilling in good ways and scary ones. In the end, with your positive attitude and your newfound community at Foster and in the co-living space, I know you'll thrive in new and familiar ways.
Sweet! If you want, DM me the dates your colive and potential travel around it so we can sus out the possibilities. Might even be able to hook you up with an affordable residency in Lisbon 😉
Wow! all what you said, was powerful Rob! Such a heartfelt wonderful essay. There were parts I had my head nodding and resonating with.
This.. "I spent years actively choosing to cut myself off from the world because I was too scared to trust anyone else with my wellbeing." me too. Been a lone wolf for so many years. And the "Trust" thing, yes! thats me too.
And... your background resonables mine too. Moving and not being able to connect and make deep relationships with anyone. I struggled too to make deep connections and trusting people was huge.
I am so glad you have found Foster and that it is allowing you discover your true authentic self and let go of the loneliness... we all suffer from.
Relationships and connections are everything... this is what I'm am too realising.
Rock on Rob. and I'm so looking forward to reading your book as you writing is amazing and touches the deepest part of me.
This is beautiful work Rob. I’m so excited for you entering this new stage of exploring the power of relationship and connection. It resonates heavily, too! I think I’m in a transitional phase, beginning to live my values and see them transform from ideas of what would be good into evidence of what is. It’s so strange how you can hold an idea so strongly, like my idea that the web of relationships we create is what sustains us, while not realizing that you are holding it in your head, inert. I don’t put as much effort into spending time with other people as I could, though I do put more effort into it now than I have in the past. It’s a process, I suppose. Lots of other beliefs I am working on incorporating, too. And there’s only so much “overcome the resistance” power in a day. LOL
I have so much love for you right now Rob. What an AMAZING essay. It gives me hope for the future of humanity and I needed that more than you can know. The eating thing? That’s me. And you lived in Russia? Dude! Amazing! Russian translation was my jam for about 12 years and I lived in a few different places. Maybe I’ll see you in France if we could figure it out somehow. Anyway, I’ll finish by wishing you bon courage!
Incredible, Rob.... what a freaking journey. I identify with the whole lot of it, being a Lone Wolf myself. I joined Foster last season to test the waters again, to see if maybe this was a group I could trust. I’ve got so many Wolf layers to shed still, but I can see glimmers of trust gems. Congratulations on this chapter and for trusting yourself in the fire. I’m so encouraged by your path!
Brilliant and brave. Bravo, Rob! Reminds me of a favorite quote from Rilke: “ Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”
such a great read, thanks for sharing Rob🙏🏾
Love it all, Rob! Bravo to you for taking the leap. Love you, my friend!
Beautiful essay Rob. So much of this resonates, especially the lone wolf part. Before joining the Foster community, I mostly kept my creative expression to myself, which never felt that satisfying. Since joining Foster, and publishing online, I’ve felt myself - my being - expand. So the connection between authentic expression and individuation you mention feels very, very alive right now.
Also, it’s been such a joy watching Foster’s story and message evolve over time. And with you involved, I know it’s in good hands.
An inspirational post, Rob. Thank you for being so honest and open. And good luck with the co-living hub!
Congrats Rob! I trust a lot of FUQs will be given.
At least nine FUQs were harmed in the making of this essay 😏
Rob your essay had me smiling halfway through. I know this probably wasn't easy to write, let alone publish. You probably think it could have been said better, but it was perfect.
One of the things I enjoy about your writing is your authenticity. You can't fake anything. Every line is 100% you. I love it.
Since those cozy times in The Arena last year when I met you, I've noticed a continuous evolution in your writing and thinking. While most are busy niching down, you're rising up (even if it feels slow). Where they're narrowing their thoughts on one thing, you're spreading yours to adjacent fields to get to know yourself and the world better. It's inspiring to witness.
I was wondering why I hadn't seen or heard as much from you over the summer. Now I know why. You were in a cocoon that felt tight and uncomfortable. You were evolving. And you've emerged as something new and something more.
I'm very happy and excited for your move to France!
I know what it's like to move to a new country, to a new living and social situation. It's thrilling in good ways and scary ones. In the end, with your positive attitude and your newfound community at Foster and in the co-living space, I know you'll thrive in new and familiar ways.
I wish you the very best!
Bon voyage!
Rob I'm in the cohort for season 4 and can't wait to chat with you. Boy oh boy is that first paragraph burningly familiar
Amazing read and can't wait whats next!
What an absolute delight to read, friend! I'm also doing a colive in Portugal in Oct and November, let me know if venture in that direction!
oh heck yes, I absolutely plan on swinging thru portugal to come hang!!
Sweet! If you want, DM me the dates your colive and potential travel around it so we can sus out the possibilities. Might even be able to hook you up with an affordable residency in Lisbon 😉
Bad ass, Rob. I'm proud of you
Wow! all what you said, was powerful Rob! Such a heartfelt wonderful essay. There were parts I had my head nodding and resonating with.
This.. "I spent years actively choosing to cut myself off from the world because I was too scared to trust anyone else with my wellbeing." me too. Been a lone wolf for so many years. And the "Trust" thing, yes! thats me too.
And... your background resonables mine too. Moving and not being able to connect and make deep relationships with anyone. I struggled too to make deep connections and trusting people was huge.
I am so glad you have found Foster and that it is allowing you discover your true authentic self and let go of the loneliness... we all suffer from.
Relationships and connections are everything... this is what I'm am too realising.
Rock on Rob. and I'm so looking forward to reading your book as you writing is amazing and touches the deepest part of me.
This is beautiful work Rob. I’m so excited for you entering this new stage of exploring the power of relationship and connection. It resonates heavily, too! I think I’m in a transitional phase, beginning to live my values and see them transform from ideas of what would be good into evidence of what is. It’s so strange how you can hold an idea so strongly, like my idea that the web of relationships we create is what sustains us, while not realizing that you are holding it in your head, inert. I don’t put as much effort into spending time with other people as I could, though I do put more effort into it now than I have in the past. It’s a process, I suppose. Lots of other beliefs I am working on incorporating, too. And there’s only so much “overcome the resistance” power in a day. LOL
❤️ Happy for you. Beautiful and authentic writing. And an epic journey man, can relate to a lot of it.