"But for me, I am trying to simply share one man’s experience of loving life and literature." Matthew, I think you do this exceptionally well. I appreciate so much your honesty and openness.
I will be very interested to read your thoughts about "Exit West" if you share them. I note we often read the same books (e.g., "The Emperor of All Maladies").
Thank you Maureen. I am working on my thoughts for Exit West over the next couple weeks. I will probably publish towards the end of the month. Short answer is I enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. As for reading the same books, well, we obviously both have great taste!
I’m humbled and honored, my friend. Thank you. 🙏🏼 And I return the same sentiment, tenfold. Love the John O’Donohue quote—love anything from John O’Donohue. Here, I’ll reciprocate in kind:
“What you encounter, recognize or discover depends to a large degree on the quality of your approach. Many of the ancient cultures practiced careful rituals of approach. An encounter of depth and spirit was preceded by careful preparation. When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to the surface and its light awakens the concealed beauty in things. When we walk on the earth with reverence, beauty will decide to trust us. The rushed heart and arrogant mind lack the gentleness and patience to enter that embrace.”
Matthew, I’ve enjoyed your publication all along since I subscribed 2+(?) years ago. You always give me something to ponder over the day or days after I read it. I too feel like I am constantly evolving in my creative life and although I don’t put it out there in public like you do, I can totally relate.
Noreen, thank you for the kindness, truly. You have been such a faithful reader and friend over these years. I hope that both of us remain open to that interior evolution. As for putting it out in public, my wife says I am a bit crazy! But that is part of the process for me. I get so much from others' insights.
Interesting you say about the paid subscriptions. Performative does spring to mind though I must accept that as I turned on paid from day one. I have often struggled with my schedule of writing, juggling it with life, work and now I’m writing my first book so it makes it all even harder. I hate to disappoint anyone but know that I do as my subscriber numbers jump around and I’m left messages that make me feel as if I don’t invest enough effort. What a minefield. Keep up the good work Matthew.
Will, personally I think you have one of the most interesting publications I have read. Someone is always going to complain about something. It is the nature of humans. But I keep coming back to the truth that many more people are good and kind to me than are cruel. You are doing amazing. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of that book someday my friend!
Good for you for turning off anything that makes you feel performative. Even though I have only a handful of paid subs, I do feel the pressure to put something out. This can be both motivating and icky. This reminds me of something a friend is constantly asked, if he will try to sell his music because he's a gifted pianist and singer. And his reply always struck me. "Why would I ruin something I love to do?"
Thanks for sharing that perspective Lani. It is truly a personal approach and something everyone has to figure out for themselves. My approach is just based on what I can manage.
"I am trying to simply share one man’s experience of loving life and literature."
And the way you do that Matthew is captivating, intelligent, interesting and always beautifully written... it's enough. For every second you spend of your personal time writing for our enjoyment, I thank you.
Thank you so much for mentioning my post! I love your writing and I’m glad you’re here doing what you do well. You are a blessing.
I’ll check out some of your links! 🔗❤️
Thanks Zina. You have been a blessing to me these past three years. So happy to see your growth as a poet. You are amazing.
Thank you! I’m glad we are on this journey together. 🙏
Honored to be on your roster of trusted Substack writers.
I am honored to have met you here and grateful for you.
Such generous celebrations of others, Matt … delighted, touched to be included, thank you.
Always my friend.
"But for me, I am trying to simply share one man’s experience of loving life and literature." Matthew, I think you do this exceptionally well. I appreciate so much your honesty and openness.
I will be very interested to read your thoughts about "Exit West" if you share them. I note we often read the same books (e.g., "The Emperor of All Maladies").
Thank you Maureen. I am working on my thoughts for Exit West over the next couple weeks. I will probably publish towards the end of the month. Short answer is I enjoyed it much more than I was expecting. As for reading the same books, well, we obviously both have great taste!
I’m humbled and honored, my friend. Thank you. 🙏🏼 And I return the same sentiment, tenfold. Love the John O’Donohue quote—love anything from John O’Donohue. Here, I’ll reciprocate in kind:
“What you encounter, recognize or discover depends to a large degree on the quality of your approach. Many of the ancient cultures practiced careful rituals of approach. An encounter of depth and spirit was preceded by careful preparation. When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to the surface and its light awakens the concealed beauty in things. When we walk on the earth with reverence, beauty will decide to trust us. The rushed heart and arrogant mind lack the gentleness and patience to enter that embrace.”
Sublime.
Brother, thanks for sharing that quote. So powerful. I have learned a lot from you Kert. Grateful to know you.
Matthew, I’ve enjoyed your publication all along since I subscribed 2+(?) years ago. You always give me something to ponder over the day or days after I read it. I too feel like I am constantly evolving in my creative life and although I don’t put it out there in public like you do, I can totally relate.
Noreen, thank you for the kindness, truly. You have been such a faithful reader and friend over these years. I hope that both of us remain open to that interior evolution. As for putting it out in public, my wife says I am a bit crazy! But that is part of the process for me. I get so much from others' insights.
I’m so proud to be in this list! And even more proud to have reintroduced you to our mutual enneagram five-ness. It’s been great. ^-^
Yes! We are the best fives.
Love the Moon at midnight.
Many thanks! It was so beautiful. Really made me miss my days aboard ships at sea.
Interesting you say about the paid subscriptions. Performative does spring to mind though I must accept that as I turned on paid from day one. I have often struggled with my schedule of writing, juggling it with life, work and now I’m writing my first book so it makes it all even harder. I hate to disappoint anyone but know that I do as my subscriber numbers jump around and I’m left messages that make me feel as if I don’t invest enough effort. What a minefield. Keep up the good work Matthew.
Will, personally I think you have one of the most interesting publications I have read. Someone is always going to complain about something. It is the nature of humans. But I keep coming back to the truth that many more people are good and kind to me than are cruel. You are doing amazing. I look forward to getting my hands on a copy of that book someday my friend!
Matthew, thank you. I'm humbled by your kind and generous words. And I'm really glad you enjoyed the cicada post!
Thanks Jeffrey! I love when a story takes me places and you do that so well.
Good for you for turning off anything that makes you feel performative. Even though I have only a handful of paid subs, I do feel the pressure to put something out. This can be both motivating and icky. This reminds me of something a friend is constantly asked, if he will try to sell his music because he's a gifted pianist and singer. And his reply always struck me. "Why would I ruin something I love to do?"
Thanks for sharing that perspective Lani. It is truly a personal approach and something everyone has to figure out for themselves. My approach is just based on what I can manage.
Thank you for your trust, Matthew. It goes both ways my friend!
Thanks my friend.
"I am trying to simply share one man’s experience of loving life and literature."
And the way you do that Matthew is captivating, intelligent, interesting and always beautifully written... it's enough. For every second you spend of your personal time writing for our enjoyment, I thank you.