"And what is loneliness, then? At its core, is it not simply a perversion of freedom? Is loneliness any more than an emancipation so extreme and complete as to transcend all pretense of society—individualism unhinged? "
"The opposite of loneliness is citizenship, freedom nobly perfected, advanced by courage and sustained by love. It is community progressing, engaged not by the weak pursuit of feckless comfort, in all its poisonous subjectivism, but by a virtuous longing for truth and honor"
I loved all of this, and especially the song. Thinking about all saints day tomorrow and what a perfect sentiment that is for it. Your reflections on Loretta Lynn are exactly how I think of sainthood - we are all such complicated, contradictory, imperfect people. Imagine if we could show up for each other with that kind of grace (like the mom of the store clerk), what a world we could create!
Ok, bringing this back full circle. After having this song in my head all week it ended up in my sermon (which was titled "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But..."). Thanks for the inspiration -- and the chance to deep dive into Loretta Lynn (did you know that Chrystal Gayle was her SISTER?!?). Sermon is here if you want to see how it all came together! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWU0M1oVU0
Desire for steady, intergenerational community, which is a certain specific type of loneliness, was what brought me back to Quaker meeting, having been raised Quaker but spent a long time away, because I'm not a pacifist. I ended up leaving again because I just couldn't summon a sense of religious feeling, even as loosely defined as Quakers leave it. I'm still looking for that, and I still really love Quakers and Quakerism. I always really appreciate reading your reflections on what you take away from Meeting for Worship.
Oh thank you Luisa! And thanks for kind words about the book (as my main reaction to the book at some point being out in the world is absolute terror).
I was looking for an essay on loneliness to share that I loved a couple years back. Couldn't find it but found this one that I thought was also very good: https://thepointmag.com/examined-life/freedom-from-loneliness/
"And what is loneliness, then? At its core, is it not simply a perversion of freedom? Is loneliness any more than an emancipation so extreme and complete as to transcend all pretense of society—individualism unhinged? "
I like this a lot:
"The opposite of loneliness is citizenship, freedom nobly perfected, advanced by courage and sustained by love. It is community progressing, engaged not by the weak pursuit of feckless comfort, in all its poisonous subjectivism, but by a virtuous longing for truth and honor"
So good. I find I have to slow down and really savor the way things are phrased there.
I loved all of this, and especially the song. Thinking about all saints day tomorrow and what a perfect sentiment that is for it. Your reflections on Loretta Lynn are exactly how I think of sainthood - we are all such complicated, contradictory, imperfect people. Imagine if we could show up for each other with that kind of grace (like the mom of the store clerk), what a world we could create!
I absolutely love that understanding of sainthood.
Ok, bringing this back full circle. After having this song in my head all week it ended up in my sermon (which was titled "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, But..."). Thanks for the inspiration -- and the chance to deep dive into Loretta Lynn (did you know that Chrystal Gayle was her SISTER?!?). Sermon is here if you want to see how it all came together! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oWU0M1oVU0
Amy I can’t wait to listen to this sermon!!!
Desire for steady, intergenerational community, which is a certain specific type of loneliness, was what brought me back to Quaker meeting, having been raised Quaker but spent a long time away, because I'm not a pacifist. I ended up leaving again because I just couldn't summon a sense of religious feeling, even as loosely defined as Quakers leave it. I'm still looking for that, and I still really love Quakers and Quakerism. I always really appreciate reading your reflections on what you take away from Meeting for Worship.
Ah, Garrett, you're such a good writer. I can't wait until your book comes out.
Oh thank you Luisa! And thanks for kind words about the book (as my main reaction to the book at some point being out in the world is absolute terror).