We Are One

Posted on by Victoria

I’m reading our dear friend, Julia Preston’s book “Voices:  Who’s in Charge of the Committee in My Head” and it’s a delight in every way.  Wynne mentioned Julia’s book to me a few months ago and the title was intriguing (almost as much as Julia herself) but sadly I had to sideline reading until I wrapped up a couple of projects.  But the wondrous day arrived last week!  Reading embarkation day!

Are you like me? When I crack open a new book – especially one that I’ve been eager to dive into – I find myself scurrying around looking for my ‘just right’ pens and favorite post-it notes because I’m a relentless annotator. Actually, there should be another term for what I do to a book when I love it. I make margin notes, fold corners, highlight a little, circle passages that speak to me (with a red pen) and draw obnoxious-looking stars near content that I love.

Oddly, I wasn’t this way as a student – even when the textbooks were my own, I was more reserved and respectful about the printed page, suppressing my love of doodling as I read.  These days?  I live a wild life 😉 as a reader and my rampant scrawls are the Vicki equivalent of inaudible ‘oohs and aahs’.

Julia’s book?  I’m having a grand old time marking it up and making notes.  Here’s one-page of evidence:

Julia’s “Voices” provides comfort and encouragement to writers who might get twisted up in a trap I’m familiar with – hyper focusing on the mechanics of writing.  Julia’s wisdom as she muses about her writing style:  

“It is a perfect reflection of my imperfect mind and provides an unprecedented opportunity for me to love and accept myself just as I am, and to forgive myself for not always living up to the high expectations that I set for myself.” 

That beautiful nugget? It’s not even in the main event, folks – it’s in Julia’s compelling prelude, the forward to her book which she refers to as her “Pre-Ramble”. 😉

Peppered throughout, Julia’s reflections compel the reader…who wants to write…to just write, paying homage to a favorite author, Anne Lamott and her well-known book “Bird by Bird”.  With honesty and humor, Julia reminds the reader of the valuable lessons she’s learned about truth and vulnerability and the challenges we all face as we endeavor to keep ourselves in check. 

At Heart of the Matter, we’re thinking about self-care this month and Julia’s candid depictions of the voices in her head – the on-going chatter about motivation, worthiness, goals, relationships, the Universe (and our place within it) – remind me that honoring all the facets of ourselves is job #1. 

I think it would be easy for me to write an entire series of blog posts about Julia’s book and sections that resonate. I might do that!  For today, I want to share a few more excerpts that felt as if Julia was speaking directly to me:

Self-talk Extraordinaire re: Writing:  “My self says to me:  Write your own story.  Tell your own truth.  Say it like it is in your world, and do not concern yourself with how it is perceived.  Judgment is not your job.  Your job is simply to write.” (p. 86)

Forgiveness:  “…it dawned on me that forgiveness requires true willingness.  Only the sincere desire and heartfelt commitment to forgive will open the floodgates to the miracle of forgiveness.  It doesn’t work if there’s even the tiniest bit of resentment or anger. Sometimes one has to be willing to be willing to let go and forgive.” (p. 63)

Poetry:  One of the voices in Julia’s head provided inspiration in a beautiful, restorative, lyrical way…and she shared the verse with readers.  Here’s the first stanza (p. 68):

She is not angry with me,

She is angry with the world.

Those in her path reap her wrath.

Rather than respond with anger

I prefer to offer forgiveness,

Yet forgiveness is hard to find.

Care for Self and Others:  Julia tells a profound story from her childhood, when she – at just five years old – asked her kindergarten friend “Who’s in there?” as she pointed at her friend’s heart.  Her thoughtful friend replied (mind you, they were both just five years old) “Do you ever think that none of this is real?”  Julia reminds her friend of this magical moment at their 50th high school reunion, providing an opportunity for reflection about humanity, our differences, our similarities, and what bonds us as beautiful beings: 

“We are born into different life scenarios designed to provide opportunities for us to move toward our highest possible evolution.  We arrive on the planet wrapped in individual bodies, appearing to be separate, but beneath the wrappings of so many beautiful hues, the bottom line is that while on this earth, you are you and I am me, but in Truth, we are We and We are One.” (p. 90)

I adore Julia’s heart and her ability to articulate – so poetically – the interdependent nature of life.  Our actions and energy reverberate and echo.  Taking care of self and others?  Perhaps nothing else IS or will ever be more important.  Indeed, I say.  We are One. Thank you, Julia!

Vicki ❤

P.S. Visit my Victoria Ponders post today to learn more about my appreciation for blogging friends, my love of Julia’s book and why her wisdom and insight are evocative of JFK…and my dad. 😉

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30 thoughts on “We Are One”

  1. Pingback: Finding Our People – Victoria Ponders

  2. Oh my goodness, dear Vicki. How can I begin to express my overwhelming gratitude for your glowing words about Voices? As the wonderful author that you are, you know how much it means to receive appreciative words from readers, and to know that in some way your story has touched another. I once heard the story of a little girl’s acceptance speech as she expressed her gratitude for an award: “I thank you from my top to my bottom.” To that I will add, “and from my outside to my inside” —and that is a mere hint of the extent of my gratitude. Thank you, thank you dear Vicki. You have warmed my heart beyond measure, and I am truly humbled. Yes, we are One, and what a wondrous blessing that is! 🥰😘😍

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    1. No gratitude necessary, Julia! Thank you for writing “Voices”. Your book is one that I’ll go back to, again and again, for loving injections of wholeheartedness, wit and humor. What a joy it was to read. Big hugs! 🥰

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    1. My pleasure. Our Julia is quite the philosopher and humorist rolled into one and her words bear repeating…and repeating. Thanks so much, Dr. Stein! 😉

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  4. I love, “in Truth, we are We and We are One.” Vicki – what a beautiful post about a wonderful book. There is a reason that Julia is so luminescent and you’ve done such a great job of bringing some of those forward!!

    And you, my dear friend, are so good at encouragement. Cheering on people to speak their truths, take care of their persons inside and out, and to be unafraid to let go of fear and move into love. You are absolutely amazing!

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    1. Aren’t you the kindest person on the planet? Honestly, I can only give that which I’ve received – so thanks for the vote of confidence. We’re all about shining the light on goodness, aren’t we? I’m lucky to know you…and our dear Julia. xo! 🥰

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  7. The first passage you noted immediately reminded me of a favorite And Warhol quote I’ve used in blogs and speeches – “Don’t think about making art. Just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” I think we’d all be much healthier if we’d stop thinking so much and just do. Julia sounds like a “doer.” And you do too. That’s a good sign this world still is in good hands. Most of the time!

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    1. I love the Warhol quote…and I’d forgotten about it! Thanks for the reminder and oh my goodness, yes. There’s so much good in the notion of ‘get it done’. I often look back and wince at my mistakes…but I guess I value movement and some semblance of progress more than perfection (and not just about writing!). 😎

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  8. Oh thank you for sharing this Vicki. I need to add Julia’s book to my list. I need to print out her writing advice too. “Write your own story. Tell your own truth. Say it like it is in your world, and do not concern yourself with how it is perceived. Judgment is not your job. Your job is simply to write.”

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  9. I have checked out Julia’s website and added her book to my reading list. And I found this sweet description she wrote about herself – ” She lives with her head in the clouds, but the rest of her can usually be found in Maryland.” it made my heart tumble! Love this quote too, – “It is a perfect reflection of my imperfect mind and provides an unprecedented opportunity for me to love and accept myself just as I am, and to forgive myself for not always living up to the high expectations that I set for myself.”

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  10. A non-blog friend just recommended this book to me. Based on that in combination with this post, it sounds like there’s many things here for me.

    Also? I reread this several times, it so hits the spot for me right now: “honoring all the facets of ourselves is job #1”

    Thank you!

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