I am 100% on board with this idea of revealing and celebrating what’s already there instead of looking for what we think is missing. We are due for another chat soon!
I am honored to have been apart of your journey Miche. Your embrace of honest expression continues to enrich me.
When I feel the path disappear before me, as I seek to say something authentic, it often comes when I have granted the authority of my story to someone or something outside of myself. When I reclaim that authority then nothing can stop authentic writing.
Yes, exactly this, even if that someone is you in the past. You have been instrumental to my new found love of writing. I will forever be grateful for your time, gentle guidance, and support.
Congratulations on finding yourself Miche. It has been a pleasure to watch you shine. It's hard to appreciate the light unless we have darkness with which to contrast. There are no heros without villains. Our struggles shape and form us, and for that I find gratitude. I can't wait to see what is next for you!
One of my favorite ideas is one that was coined by Francis Schaeffer, and he called it "No Little People." His primary example was Moses, the Bible hero that freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
Moses was born a Hebrew slave in Egypt, and to save his life he placed in a basket and then sent down the Nile. Miraculously, he was found by Pharoah’s daughter and adopted. When he had grown, he ended up murdering an Egyptian who was beating a fellow Hebrew. So he tucked tail and ran, to Moab where he found himself herding sheep for the next 40 years
He was known as a terrible public speaker. He’d be the guy who got behind the podium and started to shake so bad you had a nervous breakdown. Not your guy for going up against one of the greatest powers in the world.
He lived a small, seemingly insignificant life.
Shaeffer argues that once Moses surrendered himself -- albeit after some back and forth in front of what's described as a "burning bush" -- incredible things happened. What is incredible is that the way he was used was by becoming the vehicle or the conduit. The actual miracles that are set forth happen through the STICK OF WOOD in Moses hand.
“God so used a stick of wood’ can be a banner cry for each of us. Though we are limited in talent, physical energy, and psychological strength, we are not less than a stick of wood. But as the rod of Moses had to become the rod of God, so that which is me must become the me of God. Then I can become useful in God’s hands.”
Opening yourself to being used can bring about great things. It may not even be you directly, but might be the words that are your own "stick" in the hands of God.
Beautifully said Tim! Thank you for your thoughtful response and for sharing the concept of "No Little People" and the story of Moses. They resonate with my journey of embracing vulnerabilities and finding meaning in seeming smallness. I agree that our limitations do not define our potential for impact. It's powerful. It reminds me that by opening ourselves up, embracing our 'stick of wood', and allowing our true selves to be used, we can contribute significantly to the world around us. Thank you for this insightful analogy. It adds another layer of depth to the reflections in my essay.
"In baring my soul through words, I was already embodying the highest expression of myself."
This is such a powerful insight.
I went through a period of nihilisim last year. It was hard going through life without a meaning.
I read a lot during that period and I'm happy to say that dark period made me stronger. I understood that even if there's no intrinsic purpose, we can assign a meaning to what we do. And we can have fun while doing so.
I really enjoy reading your newsletter Miche! Thanks for sharing your personal journey with us.
Thank you! It's tough to go through the darkness, but it oftentimes connects us to ourselves so that we may experience being more deeply. Having fun enriches our experience.
Any books you'd recommend from that time in your life?
"Acknowledging my smallness grounded me, giving me a broader understanding of life's interconnectedness. At the most foundational level, we are all part of a collective whole. Every life impacts another, a network of exchanges forming who we are. So while nothing matters, everything has an impact.". This is so powerful .
I am 100% on board with this idea of revealing and celebrating what’s already there instead of looking for what we think is missing. We are due for another chat soon!
Yes! I was just thinking this. I moved and am all settled now. Let's connect early next week if you're free
I am honored to have been apart of your journey Miche. Your embrace of honest expression continues to enrich me.
When I feel the path disappear before me, as I seek to say something authentic, it often comes when I have granted the authority of my story to someone or something outside of myself. When I reclaim that authority then nothing can stop authentic writing.
Authors require authority for authenticity.
Yes, exactly this, even if that someone is you in the past. You have been instrumental to my new found love of writing. I will forever be grateful for your time, gentle guidance, and support.
Congratulations on finding yourself Miche. It has been a pleasure to watch you shine. It's hard to appreciate the light unless we have darkness with which to contrast. There are no heros without villains. Our struggles shape and form us, and for that I find gratitude. I can't wait to see what is next for you!
Thank you for your support Lee. I appreciate you 💕
One of my favorite ideas is one that was coined by Francis Schaeffer, and he called it "No Little People." His primary example was Moses, the Bible hero that freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
Moses was born a Hebrew slave in Egypt, and to save his life he placed in a basket and then sent down the Nile. Miraculously, he was found by Pharoah’s daughter and adopted. When he had grown, he ended up murdering an Egyptian who was beating a fellow Hebrew. So he tucked tail and ran, to Moab where he found himself herding sheep for the next 40 years
He was known as a terrible public speaker. He’d be the guy who got behind the podium and started to shake so bad you had a nervous breakdown. Not your guy for going up against one of the greatest powers in the world.
He lived a small, seemingly insignificant life.
Shaeffer argues that once Moses surrendered himself -- albeit after some back and forth in front of what's described as a "burning bush" -- incredible things happened. What is incredible is that the way he was used was by becoming the vehicle or the conduit. The actual miracles that are set forth happen through the STICK OF WOOD in Moses hand.
“God so used a stick of wood’ can be a banner cry for each of us. Though we are limited in talent, physical energy, and psychological strength, we are not less than a stick of wood. But as the rod of Moses had to become the rod of God, so that which is me must become the me of God. Then I can become useful in God’s hands.”
Opening yourself to being used can bring about great things. It may not even be you directly, but might be the words that are your own "stick" in the hands of God.
Beautifully said Tim! Thank you for your thoughtful response and for sharing the concept of "No Little People" and the story of Moses. They resonate with my journey of embracing vulnerabilities and finding meaning in seeming smallness. I agree that our limitations do not define our potential for impact. It's powerful. It reminds me that by opening ourselves up, embracing our 'stick of wood', and allowing our true selves to be used, we can contribute significantly to the world around us. Thank you for this insightful analogy. It adds another layer of depth to the reflections in my essay.
YASSSS stripping it back to this epiphany was spot on! Beautifully written.
Thank you! It was your honest feedback that led me here. I'm much happier with this. Thank you again
"In baring my soul through words, I was already embodying the highest expression of myself."
This is such a powerful insight.
I went through a period of nihilisim last year. It was hard going through life without a meaning.
I read a lot during that period and I'm happy to say that dark period made me stronger. I understood that even if there's no intrinsic purpose, we can assign a meaning to what we do. And we can have fun while doing so.
I really enjoy reading your newsletter Miche! Thanks for sharing your personal journey with us.
Thank you! It's tough to go through the darkness, but it oftentimes connects us to ourselves so that we may experience being more deeply. Having fun enriches our experience.
Any books you'd recommend from that time in your life?
I read Why Fish Don't Exist by Lulu Miller's and it resonated deeply with what I was going through.
I can also recommend The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse and Breakthrough by our fellow Small Better Joe Thomsett.
Thank you for the recommendations. The Pathless Path was great. I’ll look into the others. Thank you!
Love this by Joe - “I figured out a way to walk forward with purpose, meaning, and love in my heart.”
Thanks for putting it on my radar
"Acknowledging my smallness grounded me, giving me a broader understanding of life's interconnectedness. At the most foundational level, we are all part of a collective whole. Every life impacts another, a network of exchanges forming who we are. So while nothing matters, everything has an impact.". This is so powerful .