This resonates, deeply. I actually had a really good cry earlier today over how ill content I’ve been feeling over the constant chatter of social media. Wanting to write but not wanting to be a part of the same avenues as before. The world is loud and I am so tired of the noise. 😢 This mind is seeking rest.
Thank you, Denise. I’m looking forward to future discussions here. I’m so glad we have a community of like-minded people who are seeking ways to turn down the noises and distractions from this world. Each day we make choices to either go along with the noise or embrace the quiet. My soul feels like it can breathe again when I intentionally choose the latter.
All this. I spent the last almost two years fighting and surviving cancer. Now I'm trying to pick up the pieces and figure out what do I want my life to look like? The side effects of treatment have left me with brain fog and fatigue, not to mention joint pain. I can't do what I used to do or live how I used to live. While I grieve the loss of some of what was, I am realizing what I'm "missing out on" now is actually a blessing in disguise and my constraints may actually give me freedom in the quiet. I look forward to reading more from you!
Frankly, at times, Denise, I feel as if I'm from another planet, not just era! :) I have not gravitated to all the latest technology (and have not cared to, probably costing me an earlier writing career ). And years later, I recall vividly being at an Allume Conference, and all my dear younger friends told me that they feared I was missing out. They knew I was an author, and they wanted me to be able to connect not just with them, but with those with whom I could share my writing. They were sooo sweet! Reluctantly, I bit the FB bait, because I wanted to enter a writing contest sponsored by Baker. I won. But at what price? I've seen the dark underbelly of FB and other forms of social media, and I’ve become disillusioned, frankly. I've discovered tons of noise via pontification, polarization and, worse, put-down. I'm shocked by the license having some little "platform" SM seems to give my real friends (meaning people I’ve known and loved up close for years), and I've discovered things I never knew, and now wish I had *not*!! When you wrote Sanctuary and invited me to be on the reading team, all you said in those beautifully penned, heartfelt pages resonated at a soul-and-rubber-meets-the heart-road juncture. I knew you were right. So be as contrary as you wish, but you are doing it the right way. You are quietly changing the world, and hearts in it, one thoughtful, sensitive newsletter (and book page) at a time—a quiet revolution of sorts. Changed hearts are always a revolution of one sort or another. The question is: Of which sort? I'll await your calm, measured, quiet take on life. Thank you for being a quiet contratrian, Denise, a restorative rebel, because surely what you are doing here will bring rest and restoration to our souls! All the best on this!
Looking forward to read your posts as we feel the same way as to what is going on in this world and especially, in our country. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Welcome to this space, I look forward to reading your words on here. I agree very much that charting new paths in this world looks a lot like treading some of the old paths long forgotten. It reminds me of Jeremiah 6:16 (CSB) 'This is what the Lord says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths, “Which is the way to what is good?” Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t!”
I suppose the wisdom of the quiet contrarian life is in choosing the ancient path to what is good, and not protesting about the process.
I love this, Denise! I'm currently reading "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer. This goes right along with what you were sharing. Having this summer to be still and not run around as I normally do, I'm trying to put this in action. But it's hard sometimes. Working as a teacher now, the expectation is to be plugged in. Sometimes it takes baby steps, but with the Lord's help I'm trying. Thank you for this.
“…it seems as though I’m wired for a world that doesn’t exist anymore.” That is EXACTLY how I feel! I used the quote because I myself am not a writer and find it difficult to put my thoughts and feelings into words. Happy to glean from you Denise, in this quieter space. 🙏🏻💝
This resonates, deeply. I actually had a really good cry earlier today over how ill content I’ve been feeling over the constant chatter of social media. Wanting to write but not wanting to be a part of the same avenues as before. The world is loud and I am so tired of the noise. 😢 This mind is seeking rest.
I feel all of this. Glad you’re here Denise. Grateful you’re writing about these things.
Thank you, Denise. I’m looking forward to future discussions here. I’m so glad we have a community of like-minded people who are seeking ways to turn down the noises and distractions from this world. Each day we make choices to either go along with the noise or embrace the quiet. My soul feels like it can breathe again when I intentionally choose the latter.
So true. But we must be informed and understand so SS is a good place. Lots of contrarians here. one of my favourites is Frank Wright.
I no longer inhabit the FB or Intsta sewer and definitely not the other one.
Ahhh… your words are a breath of fresh air… I’ve been grappling with the urge to just unplug it all…but…
The Quiet Contrarian… this is beautiful, and I look forward to following you.
I hear a voice crying in the wilderness: Prepare…
Shalom❤️🔥
Thank you Denise! I am feeling very much the same way and look forward to reading what you will be writing.
I Feel this, and thank you for speaking your heart!
All this. I spent the last almost two years fighting and surviving cancer. Now I'm trying to pick up the pieces and figure out what do I want my life to look like? The side effects of treatment have left me with brain fog and fatigue, not to mention joint pain. I can't do what I used to do or live how I used to live. While I grieve the loss of some of what was, I am realizing what I'm "missing out on" now is actually a blessing in disguise and my constraints may actually give me freedom in the quiet. I look forward to reading more from you!
Frankly, at times, Denise, I feel as if I'm from another planet, not just era! :) I have not gravitated to all the latest technology (and have not cared to, probably costing me an earlier writing career ). And years later, I recall vividly being at an Allume Conference, and all my dear younger friends told me that they feared I was missing out. They knew I was an author, and they wanted me to be able to connect not just with them, but with those with whom I could share my writing. They were sooo sweet! Reluctantly, I bit the FB bait, because I wanted to enter a writing contest sponsored by Baker. I won. But at what price? I've seen the dark underbelly of FB and other forms of social media, and I’ve become disillusioned, frankly. I've discovered tons of noise via pontification, polarization and, worse, put-down. I'm shocked by the license having some little "platform" SM seems to give my real friends (meaning people I’ve known and loved up close for years), and I've discovered things I never knew, and now wish I had *not*!! When you wrote Sanctuary and invited me to be on the reading team, all you said in those beautifully penned, heartfelt pages resonated at a soul-and-rubber-meets-the heart-road juncture. I knew you were right. So be as contrary as you wish, but you are doing it the right way. You are quietly changing the world, and hearts in it, one thoughtful, sensitive newsletter (and book page) at a time—a quiet revolution of sorts. Changed hearts are always a revolution of one sort or another. The question is: Of which sort? I'll await your calm, measured, quiet take on life. Thank you for being a quiet contratrian, Denise, a restorative rebel, because surely what you are doing here will bring rest and restoration to our souls! All the best on this!
xo
Lynn
Looking forward to read your posts as we feel the same way as to what is going on in this world and especially, in our country. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Welcome to this space, I look forward to reading your words on here. I agree very much that charting new paths in this world looks a lot like treading some of the old paths long forgotten. It reminds me of Jeremiah 6:16 (CSB) 'This is what the Lord says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths, “Which is the way to what is good?” Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t!”
I suppose the wisdom of the quiet contrarian life is in choosing the ancient path to what is good, and not protesting about the process.
Yes, yes, and amen. Looking forward to reading more.
As an older lady, I say amen to all your words. You are inspiring and authentic and I appreciate you.
I like it here!
I love this, Denise! I'm currently reading "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer. This goes right along with what you were sharing. Having this summer to be still and not run around as I normally do, I'm trying to put this in action. But it's hard sometimes. Working as a teacher now, the expectation is to be plugged in. Sometimes it takes baby steps, but with the Lord's help I'm trying. Thank you for this.
“…it seems as though I’m wired for a world that doesn’t exist anymore.” That is EXACTLY how I feel! I used the quote because I myself am not a writer and find it difficult to put my thoughts and feelings into words. Happy to glean from you Denise, in this quieter space. 🙏🏻💝