Such a beautiful piece inviting deeper awareness in reflection. I love the acknowledgement that beneath nostalgia is longing, and in longing there may be seeds of transformation waiting to break open into a next chapter of life.
For so long I thought I was my past, that my past was who was. It was a story that looped over and over in unhealthy ways.
After reading this beautiful piece by David I realize I have crossed the border into nostalgia. I didn’t know what to call it, but now I feel I know on what ground I stand. It is new territory. But at least now I belong to me.
This word came at the perfect time for me. All this week I have been consumed by nostalgia for what happened to me in 1984 in Aberystwyth, Wales. There a vision was sown which has recently become my company, Little Feline Press and my Substack, "The Little Feline".
David Whyte’s gem of good writing and thought on the theme of nostalgia could hardly be bettered.
I wonder if nostalgia comes with those visitations of the past from those few moments when we were truly alive. Not, oddly, when all was perfect, but when our longing and potential were at their peak. The perfect love, the perfect dawn or that perfect summer were, after all, moments when we were pregnant with ourselves. When we were all potential. I am drawn yet again to, “. . . you were/more marvelous in your simple wish to find a way / than the gilded roofs of any destination you could reach”.
Nostalgia for me? Childhood memories, such a happy time, a time of freedom, late 40's/mid 50's.
How can that be? I can't answer that but nostalgia for that time makes angry. Angry? Yes anger on behalf of the children of today. I'm glad I was young 70 years ago, no-one can take away my memories.
Such a beautiful piece inviting deeper awareness in reflection. I love the acknowledgement that beneath nostalgia is longing, and in longing there may be seeds of transformation waiting to break open into a next chapter of life.
For so long I thought I was my past, that my past was who was. It was a story that looped over and over in unhealthy ways.
After reading this beautiful piece by David I realize I have crossed the border into nostalgia. I didn’t know what to call it, but now I feel I know on what ground I stand. It is new territory. But at least now I belong to me.
Lovely piece of writing and the photo is simply stunning! Thank you for sharing.
From a book that I hold very dear and turn to often.
Thank you, my guilt for nostalgia has now turned to curiosity
This word came at the perfect time for me. All this week I have been consumed by nostalgia for what happened to me in 1984 in Aberystwyth, Wales. There a vision was sown which has recently become my company, Little Feline Press and my Substack, "The Little Feline".
So thought provoking and nuanced… contemplation, energetic.
David Whyte’s gem of good writing and thought on the theme of nostalgia could hardly be bettered.
I wonder if nostalgia comes with those visitations of the past from those few moments when we were truly alive. Not, oddly, when all was perfect, but when our longing and potential were at their peak. The perfect love, the perfect dawn or that perfect summer were, after all, moments when we were pregnant with ourselves. When we were all potential. I am drawn yet again to, “. . . you were/more marvelous in your simple wish to find a way / than the gilded roofs of any destination you could reach”.
“…what we are now about the fully understand” 🙏❤️
Nostalgia for me? Childhood memories, such a happy time, a time of freedom, late 40's/mid 50's.
How can that be? I can't answer that but nostalgia for that time makes angry. Angry? Yes anger on behalf of the children of today. I'm glad I was young 70 years ago, no-one can take away my memories.
Rainbow on mark Earth’s alter a beautiful holy mystery. You always leave me wondering Mr. Whyte. Warm regards, Geraldine