The Battle for Softness

Everyone experiences life in their own way. Everyone responds in their own way. I was born tender and soft-spoken. I was born considerate and loving. I was raised eager to please with a belief in fairness. Life is beautiful but she is neither easy nor fair. She battered me left and right. She demanded that…

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My theme for 2023: Rooting my Touch Tree

One of the defining reads of 2022 was Glennon Doyle’s Untamed. It was so defining that I read it 3 times at different times in the year. This book is the perfect illustration of a meme-like poster that does the rounds on Instagram stating that I should read books that had a profound effect on…

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Wishbone

I don’t like wearing my wishbone where my backbone should be. It makes no sense. I like sense. I do wish though. Not often. But, I do. The human condition seems inescapable in some ways. I wish for appreciation without possession. For space and closeness. For security without a lock and key. For safety without…

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2022. My Year of Yes

Those who have stayed with me on my nomadic move from blog to blog over the last 10 or 12 years know that every December I take stock. I work out my theme for the new year and I reflect on the year gone by. 2022 was not perfect but Good God in heaven, it…

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Butterfly

There is what we want and there is what we get. I want my transformation (my connection with myself) to be glorious, beautiful, and easy. I imagine a butterfly emerged from its cocoon; flying off into the sunset. Free, beautiful, above it all and never hungry again. The thing is, that first flight is not…

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I write from my scars

If you sensor the story, you will never know what it was meant to be Danny Shapiro I write from my scars. I don’t recall ever writing anything sensible from a bleeding wound. One of the gifts of healing is the ability to write about the experience of pain clearly, authentically and coherently. The ability…

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Baby, Come Home

My darling babies, Jump from our little nest and fly. Only and always remember one thing. You can come home from anyone, anywhere and anything. You can always come home. Chio (c), 2022

Red Flag

Red flag? What red flag? The one flapping in front of my face? Oh, I see. I see how you could be confused. It’s where you are standing. If you move right to where I am, you’ll see. You’ll see that it’s more cherry than red. In the right light, it’s almost fuschia. I will…

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Shall We Dance?

I danced with my demons for so long before learning that I could choose my own dance partner. Chio (c), 2022