What a pleasure to read. I lead a very quiet life and do miss people sometimes. I attended a book group recently where people were sharing ideas to get ahead at work. I quite happily realized that isn't my life! I remained quiet and listened. I'm glad for however people find their way in this world.
Yes, this resonates with me. I think of what it means to be “ hidden with Christ in God, “ ( Colossians 3:3b), and it is a peaceful place where God sees, and I am allowed to be messy, in process, because who isn’t? Thank you for sharing this wisdom.
Just reading this now, it showed up at the right time (hour, day - on the mark). Thank you for this - I enjoyed it and needed a reminder of the beauty of a quietly lived life. Also, loved the art choices!
"I mean to be somebody, and do something useful in the world," said the eldest of five brothers. "I don't care how humble my position is, so that I can only do some good, which will be something. I intend to be a brickmaker; bricks are always wanted, and I shall be really doing something."
"Your 'something' is not enough for me," said the second brother; "what you talk of doing is nothing at all, it is journeyman's work, or might even be done by a machine. No! I should (....)"
Beautiful thoughts and beautiful art choices. I would say, though, there is a beauty in a life that serves others—not as it’s whole purpose but the fruit of being hidden in the true Vine. Beth’s life could be seen that way. I think the challenge is being humble enough to live FOR others (again, not wholly and only a side effect of living wholly for the Father) but not IN FRONT of others.
Loved everything about this. And respect for reading Little Women! It’s been a favorite since I was a little girl. As a driven writer and dreamer, I’ve always resonated the most with Jo—as so many do—but I love the overlooked characteristics of all the March sisters, and your portrait of Beth was so precious. Thanks for a great read (and on Ekstasis yesterday!).
Thank you for the kind words, Bailey! When I first read Little Women years ago, I told myself one day I’d write an essay about Beth. But there are so many wonderful, rich characters in that novel.
And thanks about the Ekstasis piece! I’ve enjoyed reading your essays on there as well!
I've had the same thoughts about Beth March and then Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables! Coming from a different direction, I honestly do enjoy social media. I like how I have used Instagram, posting like it's a scrapbook and sharing about things I genuinely enjoy and connecting with my friends more in person because of it. I love photography! And I've had a lot of good conversations and built deeper friendships because I've shared my interests and it opens doors for conversations sometimes. But also that can feel a little vulnerable--letting others see you without having a guarantee that it's reciprocated.
I also see how it often can lead to you living for others to see you, not for yourself. I go through phases where I don't want to post anything--but those are also the times I don't want anyone to see me and I want to hide in a safe little hole where no one perceives me. So I also post as an exercise against that, not letting the fear of people seeing me exist or disagreeing with something I say stop me from living or sharing.
I don't think social media at this point (honestly not even excluding Substack...it's how we use it that matters) is designed for people to use it thoughtfully or in a beneficial way but it doesn't mean you cannot. But it can be hard.
When it comes to everyone holding their phone to record meeting a new baby...I see the value of recording that moment. You'll never have that exact moment again and I want to record moments just for myself too. But accepting that one recording is good and setting it aside to capture the moment while you forget it's going can be enough.
I think there seems to be an opposite reaction to the people who record "too much" to not recording at all (not saying that's what you're saying just have been thinking about this!). I have friends who think it's overkill that I always take a photo when we get coffee or go on a walk through a forest. But even if I never post those photos, for me it is the act of recording that helps me pay attention. Looking through my camera's viewfinder and deciding what to focus on helps me to focus. I'm going to document these moments whether I post them or not, and sometimes I want to share and sometimes I don't. And honestly, I don't think not posting is "better" it's just a choice. The shared moments everyone sees are not more valuable either. They're all moments. We only get so many. I hope I'm not wasting any of them trying to impress people with either how responsible and mysterious I am not posting or how cool and busy I am sharing everything.
I just wrote a lot more than I meant to! But I really did enjoy this read :)
Amelia! Apologies for the delay—thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and perspective! Yeah I am certainly not trying to ding photography as a whole. I think it's an absolutely worthwhile, beautiful art form. And I'm not suggesting even that it's wrong to post on social media. I think a good many folks like yourself do it in generative, thoughtful ways. But I do feel that we've gotten carried away a bit with wanting to record and post every moment of our lives. I think it's worth exploring our "why" behind it all. Personally, I find myself leaning towards taking fewer photos/ videos and trying to stay present in the moment. But I absolutely see the value and art in photography and videography!
"When it comes to everyone holding their phone to record meeting a new baby...I see the value of recording that moment. You'll never have that exact moment again..."
Well, that is the question. You'll always have it living in your memory - as long as you have a memory at all, and if you lose that, the film of the event will become meaningless to you too... And the problem with recording can be that if you have a bit of your attention on your apparatus and editing choices (when to press the button, from which angle etc. for better "effect"), you are less fully present in that unique living moment that never comes back. The choice to record can also be a choice to lose something. What is worth more? People must decide for themselves.
I once went on a sort of pilgrimage to a country whose culture I had studied deeply, but never been to before. I chose on purpose to not photograph or film, because I wanted to totally embrace and be present in the reality I could now finally get wholly immersed into after only touching it through art and history for years.
I've never regretted it.
Not writing this to point fingers at anyone choosing differently, just sharing that there is this alternative, and that it has an intimacy and splendour all its own.
I definitely agree, there is a trade off! In this specific instance of going in to meet a baby, I think a video can be valuable but also not everyone needs to be holding their phones as they enter the room. It’s not all or nothing. You can set down the camera and let it record. One person can be filming. You can use a camcorder. If you don’t value photos or videos in that way, you can do nothing. Personally I’ve found that taking photos helps me to be in the moment more than just “trying to stay in the moment” because I’m looking for details I want to remember. I don’t really agree that the proof of memories is meaningless if you don’t have the memories anymore. I don’t remember every important moment to me but a photo can help spark that memory, and beyond my personal desires, it’s cool to hand something down. I found footage of my grandparents wedding in the 1950s, and I get to see them young and full of life in a way I never did as a kid. I can watch camcorder footage of each of my siblings as newborns in the hospital. Not every second of every day needs to be recorded, for sure, but I do value especially photographing moments both big and small. What’s hard in this digital age is that everyone has access to unlimited photos and videos at their fingertips so we can record everything and maybe value it all less. Moments preserved aren’t as rare as it used to be in the 1950s. But I don’t think that means they can’t be valuable, just that we should be intentional about what we are paying attention to and capturing. Personally I’m forgetful. Not that I forget that something happened but I forget the details, what it looked like, what it felt like. Photographing moments is valuable to me for that reason. That’s awesome that you found a way to be most present in the moment! And that’s valuable. That’s just not how I find myself to be the most present. It’s an important conversation though! I think we can record less so it’s not as over saturated phone in your face all the time without devaluing the act of preserving memories.
Thank you, Amelia, for your thought-through response! You bring up many good points. It is a fine illustration of just how differently we humans move through the world, and how differently we best process things. We will never all fit into the same mold, thank God! So we'll never be bored.
I totally agree with your perspective, and have grown spiritually by leaps and bounds by developing a silent practice… praying alone in silence, connecting with God one on one. However, I wonder about my posting on Substack sometimes. As much as I enjoy writing poetry and feel moved to share it - I do feel let down when I don’t get many likes or folks reading my posts. I’ve thought about giving up my posting for this reason - I don’t want my ego involved.
A really great read, reassuring for someone living a quiet life! Thanks. “… aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands … so that you may walk properly before outsiders….” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
What a pleasure to read. I lead a very quiet life and do miss people sometimes. I attended a book group recently where people were sharing ideas to get ahead at work. I quite happily realized that isn't my life! I remained quiet and listened. I'm glad for however people find their way in this world.
Thanks, Chris. So glad you found it encouraging!
Yes, this resonates with me. I think of what it means to be “ hidden with Christ in God, “ ( Colossians 3:3b), and it is a peaceful place where God sees, and I am allowed to be messy, in process, because who isn’t? Thank you for sharing this wisdom.
Thanks for sharing, Rachel! That is such a perfect verse for this essay. I wish I would have thought to reference it!
Just reading this now, it showed up at the right time (hour, day - on the mark). Thank you for this - I enjoyed it and needed a reminder of the beauty of a quietly lived life. Also, loved the art choices!
Thank you, Mac! So glad it encouraged you.
If you have not read Hans Christian Andersen's profound tale "Something", do so now. You'll appreciate it.
https://www.andersenstories.com/en/andersen_fairy-tales/something
"I mean to be somebody, and do something useful in the world," said the eldest of five brothers. "I don't care how humble my position is, so that I can only do some good, which will be something. I intend to be a brickmaker; bricks are always wanted, and I shall be really doing something."
"Your 'something' is not enough for me," said the second brother; "what you talk of doing is nothing at all, it is journeyman's work, or might even be done by a machine. No! I should (....)"
Hi Maria! I haven't! Looking forward to reading that one!
You're in for a treat. Enjoy.
Beautiful thoughts and beautiful art choices. I would say, though, there is a beauty in a life that serves others—not as it’s whole purpose but the fruit of being hidden in the true Vine. Beth’s life could be seen that way. I think the challenge is being humble enough to live FOR others (again, not wholly and only a side effect of living wholly for the Father) but not IN FRONT of others.
This inspired me so much.
Thank you, Chiara!
Thank you for this encouraging read!
Of course! Thanks, Lily!
Loved everything about this. And respect for reading Little Women! It’s been a favorite since I was a little girl. As a driven writer and dreamer, I’ve always resonated the most with Jo—as so many do—but I love the overlooked characteristics of all the March sisters, and your portrait of Beth was so precious. Thanks for a great read (and on Ekstasis yesterday!).
Thank you for the kind words, Bailey! When I first read Little Women years ago, I told myself one day I’d write an essay about Beth. But there are so many wonderful, rich characters in that novel.
And thanks about the Ekstasis piece! I’ve enjoyed reading your essays on there as well!
Absolutely wonderful. Thank you.
Beautiful essay!
This post found me at just the right time Thank you.
I've had the same thoughts about Beth March and then Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables! Coming from a different direction, I honestly do enjoy social media. I like how I have used Instagram, posting like it's a scrapbook and sharing about things I genuinely enjoy and connecting with my friends more in person because of it. I love photography! And I've had a lot of good conversations and built deeper friendships because I've shared my interests and it opens doors for conversations sometimes. But also that can feel a little vulnerable--letting others see you without having a guarantee that it's reciprocated.
I also see how it often can lead to you living for others to see you, not for yourself. I go through phases where I don't want to post anything--but those are also the times I don't want anyone to see me and I want to hide in a safe little hole where no one perceives me. So I also post as an exercise against that, not letting the fear of people seeing me exist or disagreeing with something I say stop me from living or sharing.
I don't think social media at this point (honestly not even excluding Substack...it's how we use it that matters) is designed for people to use it thoughtfully or in a beneficial way but it doesn't mean you cannot. But it can be hard.
When it comes to everyone holding their phone to record meeting a new baby...I see the value of recording that moment. You'll never have that exact moment again and I want to record moments just for myself too. But accepting that one recording is good and setting it aside to capture the moment while you forget it's going can be enough.
I think there seems to be an opposite reaction to the people who record "too much" to not recording at all (not saying that's what you're saying just have been thinking about this!). I have friends who think it's overkill that I always take a photo when we get coffee or go on a walk through a forest. But even if I never post those photos, for me it is the act of recording that helps me pay attention. Looking through my camera's viewfinder and deciding what to focus on helps me to focus. I'm going to document these moments whether I post them or not, and sometimes I want to share and sometimes I don't. And honestly, I don't think not posting is "better" it's just a choice. The shared moments everyone sees are not more valuable either. They're all moments. We only get so many. I hope I'm not wasting any of them trying to impress people with either how responsible and mysterious I am not posting or how cool and busy I am sharing everything.
I just wrote a lot more than I meant to! But I really did enjoy this read :)
Amelia! Apologies for the delay—thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and perspective! Yeah I am certainly not trying to ding photography as a whole. I think it's an absolutely worthwhile, beautiful art form. And I'm not suggesting even that it's wrong to post on social media. I think a good many folks like yourself do it in generative, thoughtful ways. But I do feel that we've gotten carried away a bit with wanting to record and post every moment of our lives. I think it's worth exploring our "why" behind it all. Personally, I find myself leaning towards taking fewer photos/ videos and trying to stay present in the moment. But I absolutely see the value and art in photography and videography!
"When it comes to everyone holding their phone to record meeting a new baby...I see the value of recording that moment. You'll never have that exact moment again..."
Well, that is the question. You'll always have it living in your memory - as long as you have a memory at all, and if you lose that, the film of the event will become meaningless to you too... And the problem with recording can be that if you have a bit of your attention on your apparatus and editing choices (when to press the button, from which angle etc. for better "effect"), you are less fully present in that unique living moment that never comes back. The choice to record can also be a choice to lose something. What is worth more? People must decide for themselves.
I once went on a sort of pilgrimage to a country whose culture I had studied deeply, but never been to before. I chose on purpose to not photograph or film, because I wanted to totally embrace and be present in the reality I could now finally get wholly immersed into after only touching it through art and history for years.
I've never regretted it.
Not writing this to point fingers at anyone choosing differently, just sharing that there is this alternative, and that it has an intimacy and splendour all its own.
I definitely agree, there is a trade off! In this specific instance of going in to meet a baby, I think a video can be valuable but also not everyone needs to be holding their phones as they enter the room. It’s not all or nothing. You can set down the camera and let it record. One person can be filming. You can use a camcorder. If you don’t value photos or videos in that way, you can do nothing. Personally I’ve found that taking photos helps me to be in the moment more than just “trying to stay in the moment” because I’m looking for details I want to remember. I don’t really agree that the proof of memories is meaningless if you don’t have the memories anymore. I don’t remember every important moment to me but a photo can help spark that memory, and beyond my personal desires, it’s cool to hand something down. I found footage of my grandparents wedding in the 1950s, and I get to see them young and full of life in a way I never did as a kid. I can watch camcorder footage of each of my siblings as newborns in the hospital. Not every second of every day needs to be recorded, for sure, but I do value especially photographing moments both big and small. What’s hard in this digital age is that everyone has access to unlimited photos and videos at their fingertips so we can record everything and maybe value it all less. Moments preserved aren’t as rare as it used to be in the 1950s. But I don’t think that means they can’t be valuable, just that we should be intentional about what we are paying attention to and capturing. Personally I’m forgetful. Not that I forget that something happened but I forget the details, what it looked like, what it felt like. Photographing moments is valuable to me for that reason. That’s awesome that you found a way to be most present in the moment! And that’s valuable. That’s just not how I find myself to be the most present. It’s an important conversation though! I think we can record less so it’s not as over saturated phone in your face all the time without devaluing the act of preserving memories.
Thank you, Amelia, for your thought-through response! You bring up many good points. It is a fine illustration of just how differently we humans move through the world, and how differently we best process things. We will never all fit into the same mold, thank God! So we'll never be bored.
What a beautiful gift 💝 on this Sunday morning. Thank you.
Thank you, Margaret!
Excellent essay - I hope that some of the younger generation read this.
Thanks, Korie!
I totally agree with your perspective, and have grown spiritually by leaps and bounds by developing a silent practice… praying alone in silence, connecting with God one on one. However, I wonder about my posting on Substack sometimes. As much as I enjoy writing poetry and feel moved to share it - I do feel let down when I don’t get many likes or folks reading my posts. I’ve thought about giving up my posting for this reason - I don’t want my ego involved.
A really great read, reassuring for someone living a quiet life! Thanks. “… aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands … so that you may walk properly before outsiders….” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Thanks, Graeme! Love that verse