Shari, perhaps my most favorite word is "perspicacity". Here's what Wikipedia says:
Perspicacity (also called perspicaciousness) is a penetrating discernment (from the Latin perspicācitās, meaning throughsightedness, discrimination)—a clarity of vision or intellect which provides a deep understanding and insight.[1] It extends the concept of wisdom by denoting a keenness of sense and intelligence applied to insight. It has been described as a deeper level of internalization.[2] Another definition refers to it as the "ability to recognize subtle differences between similar objects or ideas".[3]
The artist René Magritte illustrated the quality in his 1936 painting La Clairvoyance, which is sometimes referred to in the English speaking world as Perspicacity. The picture shows an artist at work who studies his subject intently: it is an egg. But the painting he is creating is not of an egg; it is an adult bird in flight.[4]
"I’ve heard it said that spirituality is not faith or religious affiliation, it’s perception. It’s the ability to look at life and feel connected to something greater than oneself. Writing gives me that gift."
WOW, Shari -- this resonates with me so hard.
I wrote your words in my journal this morning. Thank you, and I love your weekly Substack.
This post is incredibly powerful, Shari. 'What began as a place to notice becomes a place to perform. You start to measure instead of pay attention.'
This observation rings true on social media and is equally applicable to life and various types of work. Instead of enjoying the journey and the activities for their own sake, we often overlook the moments that truly matter, focusing instead on the destination, the results, the data, and the proof that it was worth it.
I sincerely hope you continue to share your writing, first for yourself and for the passion you have for it, and then for your readers. Do so without feeling the need to perform, but simply by enjoying the impact you have on every life touched by your essays.
Thank you for being vulnerable. You help your readers understand that it's okay to experience complex emotions, doubts, and convictions. You show them that it's acceptable to be human and that they don't need to prove their worth through numbers or data; what truly matters is who they are and what they do ♥️
It's brave to write about and publish your inner process. Your process reminds me of Stephen Pressfield's The War of Art. A noble journey to override the doubts and notice what happens as a result (and benefit) of showing up to the page. Well done.
This is so, so great, Shari. Again, it hits REAL close to home but I'm just going to lean into that rather than question it.
The whole piece spoke to me, but this section especially jumped out: Writing allows me to look at what life is trying to teach me through my own experiences. When a thought draws me to the page, I’m essentially embarking on a personal archeological dig where my goal is to unearth and dust off the meaning buried underneath.
100%! Continued props to you for what you're doing (actively seeking) and how you're doing it (reflectively, honestly). And, f**k the critics, both internal and external. As a wise man once said, "Forgive them, Father. For they know not what they do."
David Brooks recently estimated that only like 20% of people really enjoy thinking, and pursue thinking as something more than drudgery. You are thinking out loud for your own benefit, first and foremost, but also for people like me who enjoy the exercise of considering the things you are thinking about. I hope you keep praying with your pen.
I go through my emails every morning and delete, delete, delete, send to spam, delete....Then I read the ones that matter. Yours matter to me. That's why you write. Your words matter.
Beautiful, Shari. I love the quote about spirituality as a perception, as a way to feel connected to something greater. That may be the best definition I've heard. And praying with a pen - well, maybe that's why i love memoir writing so much. ❤️
Do not stop!!! Praying with a pen is a pure creative act. It’s a gorgeous phrase too. So much of our world has become commodified that we don’t trust what we do unless…it’s valued by others (at least) , or wins a prestigious prize and makes lots of money. The most important things I’ve done with my long life have not made money. But they have inestimable value and I’m deeply grateful. So…don’t stop!
I don't often comment, but I love reading your writing, it makes me think. I am happy when I see an email from you about something new on Substack. I don't read it right away if I'm at work or otherwise occupied. I wait until I have a quiet time, to read it carefully.
Please keep praying with your pen. It’s my weekly joy to read your thoughts which always provoke thoughts of my own!
Thank you, Carol. ❤️
Shari, perhaps my most favorite word is "perspicacity". Here's what Wikipedia says:
Perspicacity (also called perspicaciousness) is a penetrating discernment (from the Latin perspicācitās, meaning throughsightedness, discrimination)—a clarity of vision or intellect which provides a deep understanding and insight.[1] It extends the concept of wisdom by denoting a keenness of sense and intelligence applied to insight. It has been described as a deeper level of internalization.[2] Another definition refers to it as the "ability to recognize subtle differences between similar objects or ideas".[3]
The artist René Magritte illustrated the quality in his 1936 painting La Clairvoyance, which is sometimes referred to in the English speaking world as Perspicacity. The picture shows an artist at work who studies his subject intently: it is an egg. But the painting he is creating is not of an egg; it is an adult bird in flight.[4]
...
I love that, Ken! What a terrific word. Let’s be perspicacious! (I see a t-shirt…)
"I’ve heard it said that spirituality is not faith or religious affiliation, it’s perception. It’s the ability to look at life and feel connected to something greater than oneself. Writing gives me that gift."
WOW, Shari -- this resonates with me so hard.
I wrote your words in my journal this morning. Thank you, and I love your weekly Substack.
Thank you, Eliza. Your kind words mean a lot to me. 🙏
This post is incredibly powerful, Shari. 'What began as a place to notice becomes a place to perform. You start to measure instead of pay attention.'
This observation rings true on social media and is equally applicable to life and various types of work. Instead of enjoying the journey and the activities for their own sake, we often overlook the moments that truly matter, focusing instead on the destination, the results, the data, and the proof that it was worth it.
I sincerely hope you continue to share your writing, first for yourself and for the passion you have for it, and then for your readers. Do so without feeling the need to perform, but simply by enjoying the impact you have on every life touched by your essays.
Thank you for being vulnerable. You help your readers understand that it's okay to experience complex emotions, doubts, and convictions. You show them that it's acceptable to be human and that they don't need to prove their worth through numbers or data; what truly matters is who they are and what they do ♥️
Oh Sabine, your words mean so very much to me. Thank you!
It's brave to write about and publish your inner process. Your process reminds me of Stephen Pressfield's The War of Art. A noble journey to override the doubts and notice what happens as a result (and benefit) of showing up to the page. Well done.
Thank you, Adelaide! That means so much to me. I’ve been a Pressfield fan for decades.
Oh! To be able to write like you do.
Thank you, Karen!
This is so, so great, Shari. Again, it hits REAL close to home but I'm just going to lean into that rather than question it.
The whole piece spoke to me, but this section especially jumped out: Writing allows me to look at what life is trying to teach me through my own experiences. When a thought draws me to the page, I’m essentially embarking on a personal archeological dig where my goal is to unearth and dust off the meaning buried underneath.
100%! Continued props to you for what you're doing (actively seeking) and how you're doing it (reflectively, honestly). And, f**k the critics, both internal and external. As a wise man once said, "Forgive them, Father. For they know not what they do."
Thank you, Mike! F**k the critics, indeed! Fortunately, they don’t hang around nearly as much as they used to.
David Brooks recently estimated that only like 20% of people really enjoy thinking, and pursue thinking as something more than drudgery. You are thinking out loud for your own benefit, first and foremost, but also for people like me who enjoy the exercise of considering the things you are thinking about. I hope you keep praying with your pen.
Thank you, Matt! I hope YOU keep praying with your pen as well!
Praying with a Pen - what a gorgeous piece of writing. One of my takeaways is a shift from thinking to feeling. Bravery.
Thank you, Karen! (BTW, I saw our friend Jill this morning. ;-)
I go through my emails every morning and delete, delete, delete, send to spam, delete....Then I read the ones that matter. Yours matter to me. That's why you write. Your words matter.
Oh wow, Jo…what an extraordinarily kind thing to say. Thank you. 🙏
Beautiful, Shari. I love the quote about spirituality as a perception, as a way to feel connected to something greater. That may be the best definition I've heard. And praying with a pen - well, maybe that's why i love memoir writing so much. ❤️
Thank you, Martha!! 🥰
"Praying with a pen." Yes,exactly that. Beautifully stated and true, Shari! Thank you.
Thank you, Susan. ❤️
Do not stop!!! Praying with a pen is a pure creative act. It’s a gorgeous phrase too. So much of our world has become commodified that we don’t trust what we do unless…it’s valued by others (at least) , or wins a prestigious prize and makes lots of money. The most important things I’ve done with my long life have not made money. But they have inestimable value and I’m deeply grateful. So…don’t stop!
I don't often comment, but I love reading your writing, it makes me think. I am happy when I see an email from you about something new on Substack. I don't read it right away if I'm at work or otherwise occupied. I wait until I have a quiet time, to read it carefully.
Can't wait to see what's next!