Robin, this is one of my favorite fairytales because it is so multi layered and deep. I love the telling by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I’m gonna have to come back to comment.
Yes, I am this retreat that I’m facilitating right now we’re working with skeleton woman, lonely hunter and the archetypes that live within all of us. Thank you.
Robin, so many things resonate with me personally and with the astrology of the times!
I am going to think about this further, but right off the bat I must say that the two friend groups and Feng Shui group I meet with regularly on zoom and in text have been sustenance for me and my creative spark.
For most of my life, I was extremely isolated because of shame. Like the Match Girl, I would welcome death over being finally found out that I did indeed deserve all the shame I felt. So I had to continue pretending and meeting standards until I finally ran out of matches.
Thankfully, I figured out that I had to get past the shame disguised as pride and connect as my true self with supporters. I figured out that the goal of life is not to be successful at your thing, or popular, or accomplished. The goal of life is to FEEL ALIVE.
We all need people in our lives who aid in and sustain our liberation from trance-life.
What a great reminder that no one gets through this life alone, nor by giving in to passivity. I've been stuck for a while, unable to commit to my Substack or my MS in progress. I've resisted by playing a lot of golf! This post is a great reminder that creatives must create before we run out of matches to light the way.
Martina, I'm happy that you found helpful reminders here. Whether or not we're conscious of it, passivity is a choice. And yes, going it alone in the arts can keep us stuck. Who among us hasn't been there? I wish you inspired, creative action-taking.
Thank you, Robin. Both books bring so much to mind and both so relevant today. I adored the Little Match Girl as a child and can still vividly see the illustrations in my mind. I am in the middle of Women Who Run With the Wolves for the second time. Wonderful writing, perfectly woven with the past and present.
Well, as a Jungian and a dream tender, I loved this. One of the first wise women I clung to was Clarissa Pinkola Estes. “Wolves” send me to graduate school. I always found The Little Match Girl disturbing because it’s vaguely Christian answer to suffering: the reward is in the next world. No wonder we can justify not caring enough for this one. I’m glad to see all the resources you included and the steps you took personally. Brava!
Susan, I love the term "dream tender." Thanks so much for reading this and for your heartfelt response. Taking action is critical now. When I saw that message in your latest essay, I knew I had to reach out. Over the years, I've found Amnesty great for providing ways to get involved and make a difference. But of course, there are many groups doing similar, vital work. Fortunately, they're not in competition with one another.
There is great risk, indeed, Robin. A thoughtfully researched study of an authors work translated through dreams and then refreshed into valuable steps to choose a better life… Thank you for sharing and gifting hope to those who need it now. 👌💝
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Leanda. As always, I appreciate your sensitive reading and care. Angès Callamard's words about courage and hope continue to resonate. In our own way, each of us can contribute to being the change we wish to see in the world—and not a moment too soon.
Yes, beautiful, Robin... I believe each of us does naturally contribute to being the change we want to see in the world when we take the time to be with ourselves. Thank you and happiest of weekend's to you! xx
Thank you, Robin. I appreciate you bookmarking this piece for weekend reading. I've done the same with your latest essay. One of the things I love about this platform is our connection.
The story of the Little Match Girl is heart-rending. How much more so when the layers are peeled back to reveal deeper meaning. Thank you for this beautiful piece.
Thank you, Hugh. I agree that the match girl's story is haunting and sad. And I'm glad that you appreciate making meaning of it. Your kind words mean a lot.
Robin, this is one of my favorite fairytales because it is so multi layered and deep. I love the telling by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I’m gonna have to come back to comment.
So good thank you, well done!
Aww, thank you, Prajna. I appreciate you reading this. Like you, I love Estes' feminist analysis of "The Little Match Girl."
Yes, I am this retreat that I’m facilitating right now we’re working with skeleton woman, lonely hunter and the archetypes that live within all of us. Thank you.
Beautiful work.
Robin, so many things resonate with me personally and with the astrology of the times!
I am going to think about this further, but right off the bat I must say that the two friend groups and Feng Shui group I meet with regularly on zoom and in text have been sustenance for me and my creative spark.
For most of my life, I was extremely isolated because of shame. Like the Match Girl, I would welcome death over being finally found out that I did indeed deserve all the shame I felt. So I had to continue pretending and meeting standards until I finally ran out of matches.
Thankfully, I figured out that I had to get past the shame disguised as pride and connect as my true self with supporters. I figured out that the goal of life is not to be successful at your thing, or popular, or accomplished. The goal of life is to FEEL ALIVE.
We all need people in our lives who aid in and sustain our liberation from trance-life.
What a soulful and uplifting response, Maria. Thanks for taking time to read this and to share your wisdom. ✨️
What a great reminder that no one gets through this life alone, nor by giving in to passivity. I've been stuck for a while, unable to commit to my Substack or my MS in progress. I've resisted by playing a lot of golf! This post is a great reminder that creatives must create before we run out of matches to light the way.
Martina, I'm happy that you found helpful reminders here. Whether or not we're conscious of it, passivity is a choice. And yes, going it alone in the arts can keep us stuck. Who among us hasn't been there? I wish you inspired, creative action-taking.
I've always loved The Little Match Girl, but hadn't thought about it as an adult.
A profound story that helps tie together courage, creativity, connection and caring to activation of the resistance. What the world needs more of now.
Thank you, Robin. Feeling encouraged!
I'm glad this piece left you feeling encouraged. That was certainly my aim. Thanks for reading this and sharing it, Robin!
Thank you, Robin. Both books bring so much to mind and both so relevant today. I adored the Little Match Girl as a child and can still vividly see the illustrations in my mind. I am in the middle of Women Who Run With the Wolves for the second time. Wonderful writing, perfectly woven with the past and present.
How great that you're rereading Wolves, Charlene. I hope you find Chapter 10 as fascinating as I did. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Well, as a Jungian and a dream tender, I loved this. One of the first wise women I clung to was Clarissa Pinkola Estes. “Wolves” send me to graduate school. I always found The Little Match Girl disturbing because it’s vaguely Christian answer to suffering: the reward is in the next world. No wonder we can justify not caring enough for this one. I’m glad to see all the resources you included and the steps you took personally. Brava!
Susan, I love the term "dream tender." Thanks so much for reading this and for your heartfelt response. Taking action is critical now. When I saw that message in your latest essay, I knew I had to reach out. Over the years, I've found Amnesty great for providing ways to get involved and make a difference. But of course, there are many groups doing similar, vital work. Fortunately, they're not in competition with one another.
We could not have too much overlap. We could weave a net under us all.
There is great risk, indeed, Robin. A thoughtfully researched study of an authors work translated through dreams and then refreshed into valuable steps to choose a better life… Thank you for sharing and gifting hope to those who need it now. 👌💝
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Leanda. As always, I appreciate your sensitive reading and care. Angès Callamard's words about courage and hope continue to resonate. In our own way, each of us can contribute to being the change we wish to see in the world—and not a moment too soon.
Yes, beautiful, Robin... I believe each of us does naturally contribute to being the change we want to see in the world when we take the time to be with ourselves. Thank you and happiest of weekend's to you! xx
Always love a good fairy tale. Saving for over the weekend, Robin.
Thank you, Robin. I appreciate you bookmarking this piece for weekend reading. I've done the same with your latest essay. One of the things I love about this platform is our connection.
The story of the Little Match Girl is heart-rending. How much more so when the layers are peeled back to reveal deeper meaning. Thank you for this beautiful piece.
Thank you, Hugh. I agree that the match girl's story is haunting and sad. And I'm glad that you appreciate making meaning of it. Your kind words mean a lot.