Living the Questions Podcast, Episode 7 (What Is Your Wound?)
What is your wound? From what part of your heart can you speak most deeply to people?
Play. Or download now. Subscribe in iTunes.
Resources:
Accidental Creative podcast with Peter Block.
Peter Block’s books mentioned in the podcast:
Community: The Structure of Belonging.
The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods.
“The Uses of Sorrow” by Mary Oliver
(In my sleep I dreamed this poem)
Someone I loved once gave me
A box full of darkness.
It took me years to understand
that this, too, was a gift.
f451
interesting question. i’ll have to slide that into my own schedule somewhere:
“Even if I wanted to go my schedule wouldn’t allow it. 4:00, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one. 5:30, jazzercize. 6:30, dinner with me. I can’t cancel that again! 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing; I’m booked! Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9 I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling, and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?!” –Jim Carrey, How the Grinch Stole Christmas
in all seriousness i’ve often wondered how my wounds could help other people. aside from empathy, i haven’t figured it out yet.
until then, i’ll listen. for what is there to say when someone shares deep sorrow with you? silence and a hug i’m thinking.
Elissa
Listening is the ticket. I think you’re on to something. 🙂 And a hug can’t hurt, either.
It takes time to see your wound as a blessing, but I like to think of it this way: When you’ve been wounded, you have less energy to tell others how to live. Instead, you feel a deep kinship with them…knowing they’ve been in the dark forest, too. And that’s the start to a beautiful conversation–whether you speak or not…
Sylvia
Thank your the podcast. This is my favorite poem by Mary Oliver. “Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkess”
Elissa
Isn’t it the most wonderful, succinct poem? I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast. Thanks, Sylvia!
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There is enough of an audience to matter. But I’m glad you don’t care either way. Keep doing what you are doing. It is important. More important than you can know. Our wounds indeed produce the medicine that we use to help heal the world.
xo
Renae
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You’re sweet, Renae. I know we’ve talked about this in the past, and I do think you’re right. I think we’re trying to “right” what was “wrong” before—with lots of love…
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