9 Comments
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Sri Juneja's avatar

Kathryn, this piece took my breath away. Absolutely exquisite.

Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Thank you Sri. I think you've made my day. When I planned to write this weeks ago I didn't know how much I would need it. I've been reminding myself all week, "troll, bridge" when I get stuck...

Susan Landers, MD's avatar

Love this, Kathryn. You love books as much as I do, maybe more. I wish my grandkids would allow me to read to them more. I compete with iPads. 😢

Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Thank you Susan. I love that I have a space to integrate writing and books. I get it, I compete with the iPads, too, but I just keep on putting books anywhere and everywhere :)

The Visible Reader (Michelle)'s avatar

I am intrigued by the idea of this: "A sheer paper layer between the scenes allows the reader to make the change occur." It offers a sense of agency during changing times. Often, we feel so out of control when things are changing, but that doesn't mean we are totally helpless and action-less during a transition. The sooner a child learns that they can take some action steps during a life change, the less scary change has to be.

Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Yes it's a lovely experience to read the book because it does have that element of agency.

Yael Schonbrun's avatar

Such a beautiful post. I admit that after first reading No Mud, No Lotus, I brought it up in most conversations for like, a year. My podcast co-hosts teased me a lot about it. This to say, your newsletter spoke right to my heart (as usual!).

Kathryn Barbash, PsyD's avatar

Yael, you should see my copy of the book--it's full of highlights and post its. I reference it all the time and it's my #1 rec for books about mindfulness.

Dr. Nicole Mirkin's avatar

It’s interesting how simple stories can hold ideas that people spend years trying to work through. The push and pull between wanting things to stay the same and needing them to change is something most of us wrestle with. Accepting movement without feeling stuck in it is easier said than done.