HELP THE SELF
… in all of us
Monday July 7, 2014
Every writer loves feedback, I’m sure of it.
Painters, actors, sculptors, musicians too.
Validation our work is valued, someone’s acknowledgment.
What about opinions?
What about help for the self?
Surely that’s not art.
Might be right, might be wrong.
Hardly art and never science.
I publish responses – unvarnished, sometimes edited, but not to distort.
I’m humbled sometimes, by feedback that says I’ve been of help, that I’ve been instructive somehow . . .
Case in point, from a reader I’ve never met. We’ve talked a few times but given restrictions in our lives, meeting hasn’t been something we’ve done. Not yet, but someday …
We don’t reach out often, but when we do it is always interesting.
Latest installment told me some new, some repetition – difficulties dealing with truth-telling in relationships, about risk, about anticipation. I’ll not tell my friend’s story – it isn’t mine to tell, but there were some words in her note to me that I will share because it is the kind of feedback that keeps me going, that makes me not give up when the load of the day or the call of temptations (like golf, travel, play etc.) might divert me from writing every day.
Thank you MO from Monterey, you made my day with these words: “You have been so good at advising me through various mishaps. I thoroughly appreciate your willingness to be there for everyone, every day, and for me personally. You are a unique treasure, and you have really helped me think things through logically and honestly. That, Mark, is golden. Thank you for being exactly you. As in, really. Thank you, Mark.
Mark Kolke
196,640
column written/ published from Calgary
P.S.: magician Warren came by last evening – and my computer glitches are now cured (best to not get the virus in the first place) of its ills and I can use both machines again … many thanks to my hero!
morning walk: 17C / 62F, partly cloudy, steady breeze from the north, Gusta acting very happy, and that always makes me light on my feet; short walk so I could get over to the gym – hardly anyone there …
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
I’m delighted that you liked Majorville. Too bad you had to write about it so eloquently .., DW, Nanton, AB
That "highway" is quite a test. Was in a low slung car which added to the challenge. The efforts of Ducks Unlimited along the" highway" are impressive . Got lost a couple of times on side roads but found it. Windy. Lonely. Nice, ADN, Calgary, AB
I often imagine what it might have been like to be one of the pioneer peoples seeing places I travel for the first time. On our Sunday drive today we followed a road through some of the thickest overgrown forested land and I wondered what it must have been like attempting to get through those same forests oh so many years ago. One couldn't navigate a wagon pulled by horses through that thicket of trees. It was so thick you couldn't see more than a couple of feet into the forest. It appeared to be un-navigable in most places with much water standing where you could see into the trees. Lots of places only a snake could love or an alligator or two. Wouldn't want to be lost in them there woods by any means. GW, Bon Wier, Tx.
Thanks for sharing some of your native history. Visited both links and added knowledge to my fortress of information. Haven't yet checked out all of the historical sites here in the piney woods but we are beginning to explore with a Sunday drive. Started out as a way to let the girls (Pepper the Brittney and Mischa the Pomeranian) ride in the back of the truck, which they absolutely love to do. Now it has turned into a blazing trails excursion as we traverse roads we have never explored before. Love that history; keep it coming. GW Bon Wier, Tx.
