thanks jeffrey! you hit the nail on the head with the "paid the cost" bit. that's something i want to do with as much of my writing as possible going forward. actually LIVE and learn and grow in the real world, and then leave behind written artifacts derived from my genuine experience of life.
I haven't been on Substack in a while, so I'm just now reading this. I missed you muchly, Mr. Rob.
It seems we're wrestling with similar things from different directions, especially that fire to write...and doing everything except letting the spark become a flame. Or the trickle become a waterfall, depending on what metaphor you want to use.
Can't wait to see what it looks like for you. 👊🏻👊🏻
You’re awesome Rob, thank you for the sincere and vulnerable piece.
My only pushback is your sense that you have to “earn” your self-respect. You’re already worthy of it before you do anything at all. And, not that it matters, but me and hundreds of others whose lives you’ve touched respect you already as well, your “2023 decisions” included. Lots to be proud of already!
Great to have you back, buddy. Oh how I resonate with all of this, the going away to be able to come back to self, the joy of finding poetry come out of an unexpected love, the confronting of the need to write and admitting self-respect and self-love is The Way. Much love, happy returns 💚
Rob! I'd sporadically think of you and how you were doing and it's good to see you're back (and also recovering from the downward curve). I also want to jump back into the forest and see whats up. All the best man
Welcome home brother!
thanks schlaf! sounds like you've been going through the fire over the last year, too. can't wait to see your own re-emergence soon!
definitely here for the loving groundedness. thank you for opening the doors and the windows to your 2023.
thanks cass!! hope you're doing well over there, and would love to catch up sometime soon!
i am well, and in a lot of endings and beginnings which is challenging. i'd love to catch up, too.
Thanks for this.
quite welcome, ben. thanks for reading!
An inspiring account of an inspiring experience. Wishing you the best.
thanks tony! 🙏
glad to have you back sir
thank u so much señor stuber. it's good to be back 🫡
Wow inspiring story. You paid the cost to give it value. Thanks for sharing that value with us.
thanks jeffrey! you hit the nail on the head with the "paid the cost" bit. that's something i want to do with as much of my writing as possible going forward. actually LIVE and learn and grow in the real world, and then leave behind written artifacts derived from my genuine experience of life.
Thank you for this incredibly honest share of yourself.
thank you for reading, nancy! 🙏
I haven't been on Substack in a while, so I'm just now reading this. I missed you muchly, Mr. Rob.
It seems we're wrestling with similar things from different directions, especially that fire to write...and doing everything except letting the spark become a flame. Or the trickle become a waterfall, depending on what metaphor you want to use.
Can't wait to see what it looks like for you. 👊🏻👊🏻
You’re awesome Rob, thank you for the sincere and vulnerable piece.
My only pushback is your sense that you have to “earn” your self-respect. You’re already worthy of it before you do anything at all. And, not that it matters, but me and hundreds of others whose lives you’ve touched respect you already as well, your “2023 decisions” included. Lots to be proud of already!
Great to have you back, buddy. Oh how I resonate with all of this, the going away to be able to come back to self, the joy of finding poetry come out of an unexpected love, the confronting of the need to write and admitting self-respect and self-love is The Way. Much love, happy returns 💚
gosh, this was so beautiful to read. <3 <3
take that RV on the road bro?
Rob! I'd sporadically think of you and how you were doing and it's good to see you're back (and also recovering from the downward curve). I also want to jump back into the forest and see whats up. All the best man
What a wonderful piece. So grateful you took the time to write it,
Thanks for your vulnerability. And for this ôde to keep writing no matter what. To a brighter 2024 🥂
Ah, another layer or ten peeled away and a Rob come home. I can feel it in the energy behind your words. ❤️🔥