‘I’ve come to the conclusion that if you want to live an interesting life you have to be prepared to sometimes look like a fool.’ So said my friend Doug the other morning and it’s a line that’s stayed with me ever since. We’d met in the cafe - and social hub - of the French village I’ve been staying in for the past three weeks.
Super post! Thank you Siobhan. And what a lovely watercolour from Doug. Loved! This really made me think. I've been busy doing something currently where I do look and feel foolish, for 1hr each week. I've joined a [quite extreme] self-defence school. No beginners' class. You're thrown in at the deep end. Sink or swim. But, 2mth in now and I've met some amazing people. Inspiring. Amazing knowledge and skills and expertise, and I'm learning to defend myself. I struggle for most of the 1hr sessions each week, but I've so far stuck with the struggle! I remind myself of how sick I am of feeling afraid around any threat of violence. I was attacked and seriously assaulted in my teens by an adult man. I overcame my injuries. Non life-changing. But the psychological impact always remained, for years while I was often unaware. I can now feel I'm shaking finally, 20yr on, that psychological impact off. Yes Siobhan!
This is so inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing. I'm so glad you're finally shaking off the impact of the assault, and so sorry you experienced that. Really lovely to hear from you!
Love this piece Siobhan. It's inspired me to dig deeper into my own experience. It's an excellent point
You're already travelling. That's already an adventure. So why limit the adventure?
Why go back to a defunct default when there's much to explore. My thing was travelling solo as a senior.
Nonetheless In Banff Canada I decided not to plan, but to take the first shuttle come what may. Wed hurtle off i knew not where. A biggee for me. When we're on an adventure, we've an opportunity to create a new palette, textures, colours rhythms, and explore through the eyes of an uncluttered, openhearted Child. For me an opportunity to let go of my stiff upper lipped Brit, to Channel my inner pioneer. So much still to process and bring back home.
I love your openness. Your inner Madame Curham is wild, as well as passionate a true creative and living the life of her dreams, not to be limited by language when it's the language of the heart that counts.
What a lovely comment! Thank you so much! And I love how didn't plan in Canada. And you're so right, travel does make you see the world through childlike, uncluttered eyes. Love it! ❤️
This is so true! Coming out of our comfort zones to do something different creates confidence and growth! Just returned from a trip to Italy and attempted to order in Italian without just pointing to the menu item I wanted. Made it seem like I was really a part of their culture! Love Doug’s painting, too~~ very talented! Love reading your books and newsletters!
Well done for ordering in Italian! I hope you had a brilliant time - the food must have been delicious! I'm heading to the UK for a couple of days then back to the US next week, which I'm so excited about! So happy you're enjoying Wonderstruck and the books, thank you! ❤️
I'm going to a place called Eureka Springs, a really vibrant, artistic community in the Ozark mountains. Shame I won't be closer to you, would be so cool to meet! Glad you had such a great time in Italy
Oct 22, 2023·edited Oct 22, 2023Liked by Siobhan Curham
You've smashed it again 😃
Your weekly subjects are often familiar topics to me (as in I'll be reading and immediately thinking of something that has happen personally.)
"We often make fools of ourselves while trying to achieve our dreams" - Oooooh if only you knew what I have done 😆 in hope of getting closer to something (or someone 🙈) even in the last 2 weeks.
However you're right, life is more interesting when you try anyway and accept the obstacles. It's what "stories are made of" and as much as I've embarrassed myself at the time I often looked back with zero regrets!
Super post! Thank you Siobhan. And what a lovely watercolour from Doug. Loved! This really made me think. I've been busy doing something currently where I do look and feel foolish, for 1hr each week. I've joined a [quite extreme] self-defence school. No beginners' class. You're thrown in at the deep end. Sink or swim. But, 2mth in now and I've met some amazing people. Inspiring. Amazing knowledge and skills and expertise, and I'm learning to defend myself. I struggle for most of the 1hr sessions each week, but I've so far stuck with the struggle! I remind myself of how sick I am of feeling afraid around any threat of violence. I was attacked and seriously assaulted in my teens by an adult man. I overcame my injuries. Non life-changing. But the psychological impact always remained, for years while I was often unaware. I can now feel I'm shaking finally, 20yr on, that psychological impact off. Yes Siobhan!
This is so inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing. I'm so glad you're finally shaking off the impact of the assault, and so sorry you experienced that. Really lovely to hear from you!
Thx Siobhan. You too!
Well done, you. I love your determination not to bow down to aggressive. .
Thank you Gillian!
Love this piece Siobhan. It's inspired me to dig deeper into my own experience. It's an excellent point
You're already travelling. That's already an adventure. So why limit the adventure?
Why go back to a defunct default when there's much to explore. My thing was travelling solo as a senior.
Nonetheless In Banff Canada I decided not to plan, but to take the first shuttle come what may. Wed hurtle off i knew not where. A biggee for me. When we're on an adventure, we've an opportunity to create a new palette, textures, colours rhythms, and explore through the eyes of an uncluttered, openhearted Child. For me an opportunity to let go of my stiff upper lipped Brit, to Channel my inner pioneer. So much still to process and bring back home.
I love your openness. Your inner Madame Curham is wild, as well as passionate a true creative and living the life of her dreams, not to be limited by language when it's the language of the heart that counts.
What a lovely comment! Thank you so much! And I love how didn't plan in Canada. And you're so right, travel does make you see the world through childlike, uncluttered eyes. Love it! ❤️
Great story about living in the present, being awake and tuned in. And appreciating all that is around us.
Thank you!
This is so true! Coming out of our comfort zones to do something different creates confidence and growth! Just returned from a trip to Italy and attempted to order in Italian without just pointing to the menu item I wanted. Made it seem like I was really a part of their culture! Love Doug’s painting, too~~ very talented! Love reading your books and newsletters!
Where are you headed after Paris?
Well done for ordering in Italian! I hope you had a brilliant time - the food must have been delicious! I'm heading to the UK for a couple of days then back to the US next week, which I'm so excited about! So happy you're enjoying Wonderstruck and the books, thank you! ❤️
It was such a beautiful country and the people were so friendly and hospitable! Looking forward to returning one day soon.
What part of the US? I live on the eastern side in PA near Pittsburgh.
I'm going to a place called Eureka Springs, a really vibrant, artistic community in the Ozark mountains. Shame I won't be closer to you, would be so cool to meet! Glad you had such a great time in Italy
You've smashed it again 😃
Your weekly subjects are often familiar topics to me (as in I'll be reading and immediately thinking of something that has happen personally.)
"We often make fools of ourselves while trying to achieve our dreams" - Oooooh if only you knew what I have done 😆 in hope of getting closer to something (or someone 🙈) even in the last 2 weeks.
However you're right, life is more interesting when you try anyway and accept the obstacles. It's what "stories are made of" and as much as I've embarrassed myself at the time I often looked back with zero regrets!
I love this!! And you're so right - it is what stories are made of! I'm so happy you're enjoying these posts 😊 Thank you!