What I Know Now
Love is fragile.
Friendship can last a long, long time.
Sitting under the tree to solve your problems African style is as close to magic as it gets.
Nothing heals a wounded soul like an open listening heart.
You can skip to the front of the line, but it only really works out if you’ve already done your work.
Everybody needs kindness and respect and love.
The wisdom of someone who has suffered greatly is a kind light you can trust to show the way.
Most of the limitations you feel are (more often than not) a crisis of imagination.
Dreams can be treasure maps.
Even grownups need blankies sometimes.
Stories are powerful medicine.
Being cracked open is very, very painful but it is not without purpose.
This is never the end of your story.
The problem is not wanting too much; it is not having the courage to want enough.
Desire is a great teacher.
We each have the power to create new possibilities that have not existed before.
In acceptance lies peace. Thinking someone else is in charge of your happiness is sure and certain death.
You can’t learn something quickly or any faster to avoid pain.
The process is the master. Surrender now. Or as best as you can, while screaming.
Breathing into each moment really does help.
Thinking is highly overrated.
Music can be a mentor; movies can be gentle friends.
There’s a certain kind of love that does not let you go.
The sisterhood of friendship is like manna from heaven; it can make you new every morning.
Shame is a killer; kindness is the cure.
You can be okay without knowing.
It’s really good to believe in something, even if it’s how happy you feel standing in a quiet open field.
Being seen, truly seen, and loved just the same is what everyone on this green earth is hoping for, even if they act like they don’t care.
Real privilege is when you are invited to serve and you do it, even if it’s incredibly hard or annoying and not at all the picnic you had planned.
Your heart knows the way through the wilderness; the only thing to do is follow.
What do you know now?
January 6th, 2009 at 1:11 am
So much good truth…thanks Jen, I love the painting.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:15 am
Many times after reading your posts… I feel revived. You’re amazing! Thanks for the millionth time for sharing of your “self” on here.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Jen, thank you, thank you! xoxox
January 6th, 2009 at 1:59 am
Oooh girl, you good.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:01 am
Loved this post… and the painting!
What do I know? When our hands are linked, fingers laced, our strengths cover each other’s weaknesses. Together we are whole.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:20 am
I know that this is a gift to me.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:34 am
your words are beyond amazing. i’ve read them over and over and over again. thank you.
deb
January 6th, 2009 at 3:41 am
What I know now:
Avoidance doesn’t get us anywhere. It just makes for painful procrastination and prolongs the anxious waiting.
“Just do it” is a pretty good motto.
I can trust myself to distinguish between the voice of fear and the voice of knowing.
January 6th, 2009 at 6:09 am
It’s okay to nap.
You can quiet your negative voices.
Beauty is a worthy value.
You can be an actual participant in your own unique and powerful life.
Nothing is more terrifying–and more worth it–than the vast beast called love.
January 6th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I know that you are wise beyond your years and that I wish I were lucky enough to have you as a neighbor and friend.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Jen, you are poet for all of us (YOU should be writing the poem for the inauguration - you would transfix us all and give the nation a kick-start on healing …).
What do I know now? Let’s see … when we want to know what’s right for ourselves, what’s really right, we need to create some space and some quiet to listen to our own voices and not those of everyone else around us who thinks they know what’s right for us. The best way to test (and grow) an idea is to run it by trusted girlfriends. We’ve all got our own life lessons we need to learn. Running around like crazy is overrated. Reading beautiful posts from you is an amazing way to start the day and the year.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:28 am
I know now that I have to simply SHOW UP. Sometimes just showing up takes care of things.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I know that you are a wise woman, Jen Lemen.
I know that I am a child of Light, meant to shine.
I know that Love is the answer to every question.
January 6th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Beautiful.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I know that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be at this very moment.
January 6th, 2009 at 11:09 am
I know that sometimes at night you get to sleep and sometimes not, but if you stop worrying about how much sleep you’re getting, you feel good the next day either way.
I really love this post, like print it out and read it every day, like. Can I put in on my blog if I promise to credit and link to you?
January 6th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
i know that you are a true inspiration and what you share is a gift to us all.
i know that you have created a beautiful painting, and i’m sure many more we have yet to see.
i also know that rash urgency is good for igniting dreams sometimes–for waking up after a long dazed sleepwalk. but when anxiety begins to creep in–when the voices of ‘not enough’ begin to run rampid and it seems like every life-goal must be accomplished in the next week–slow breaths, small steps, and patience take the gold.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
…”Nothing heals a wounded soul like an open listening heart…”. Perfect and so very true. Thanks for listening and for being so perfectly you.
January 6th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
On January 1 of 1998, I left for three weeks to visit a friend who lived in South Africa (we met b/c he freelanced for my company). I spent three weeks there, learning to love the paradoxical beauty that is Africa. I know that in some small way, I understand what you mean when you say Africa called you, that you had a yearning for that place. I don’t really believe in “past lives” (I don’t think) but I think I might have been an elephant once, if there is such a thing. I love this painting, and if you decide to sell it, or similar ones, I know I would love to purchase it.
January 6th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I especially love, love, the last line. I’m counting on it
Thank you for your words, they are beautiful.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I know that I am glad to know you - and that I am blessed by this blog!
I know that I can trust myself. (I just have to keep reminding myself of that fact!)
Here’s a poem I just found for us:
I have been to the Grand Loneliness
Do not think you may
travel there uninvited
It must call your name
Do not imagine what the terrain is like
You cannot
Only the gifts you return with,
richer than the million brilliany things
of this world, will hint
at what has been gained and
what has been lost on such a journey
If you have been
we can recognize each other
by the dark calm of our eyes
the drumbeat of our hearts
emptied to fullness.
~Arlene Gay Levine
January 6th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
I know I need your words to help me express the deepest feelings in my heart. Thank you.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
i know accepting pain with love and abundance with gratitude brings me joy.
i know to look into the souls of others for a reflection of myself.
i know compassion feels better than anger or resentment.
i know its hard to be honest with myself.
i know joy is a decision away.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
after many years, i finally know my worth.
i also know that you, and your words, are a truly beautiful gift to the world.
thank you.
talk soon.
so much to talk about…. xo
January 6th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
My heart thanks you for that embrace. xoxo, ~ M.
January 6th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
[…] of light January 6, 2009 There are many cues I’d like to follow, like this one, or this one, but that’ll have to wait. Tonight, I went back to a painting I had started when I was not […]
January 6th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
This totally made my day. You have no idea!!
January 6th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
i know that i already “know” everything i need to, it just is a matter of remembering.
i know that i am the creator of my life and no one can ever take this away from me. i never need to be a victim.
i know that my heart is full of gratitude for wise words such as yours.
thank-you.
xoxo
January 6th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I know I really enjoy reading your posts:-)
January 7th, 2009 at 12:16 am
I know now that there is beauty that won’t exist until I make it.
I know that I am ever grateful for you.
xo
January 7th, 2009 at 1:40 am
wow. awesome.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
hi Jen,
there are times when I feel anxious about opening your blog - your blog is certainly beautiful and inspiring, it’s just that I’m not feeling in a good place. Your words are powerful and strong and true and sometimes reading them feels like a bolt straight through to my heart.
This post has overwhelmed me. Nearly every statement resonates and reading them has been a sign for me that I can’t keep pretending everything is OK.
“Being cracked open is very, very painful but it is not without purpose”.
Thanks for being a kind, thoughtful, mindful, spirited woman Jen. I admire your thoughts and your honesty.
peace to you, Kathryn
January 7th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
I know:
Every day brings a new beginning.
Deep in your soul, you always know what you want and need. Sometimes it just takes a while to get in there and acknowledge it.
As always, love the beautiful spirit! Things I always know, but somehow only manage to believe or give pause to when spoken by someone else.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
i know:
everything changes, shifts. every*thing in time, in divine time. [i find this particularly helpful when i find myself disoriented and/or in the deep, deep dark…]
everything tilts toward love and light and life.
it’s completely okay, welcomed, invited, called for…for one to chose oneself again and again and again.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:33 am
I think you contradict yourself when you say we should want more, but that we should cultivate acceptance.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:42 am
This is brilliant! I’m going to work on my own list.
You inspire me.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
What I Know Now…
Is Jen Lemen’s Blogspot is the place to BE!
I sense your honestly, your hope, your fears that transform into actions that are positive, and I always, always, always, walk away feeling like someone else “gets” it.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Please, please make a mini poster of this post..and sell it. We need this on the front of our fridges to read every single day.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:12 am
That sometimes a “pause” in life is required. To be quiet. To let what is inside have the time to let itself be known…
…I also know that I would love to buy one of those “Hopeful” pins…:)
January 9th, 2009 at 12:27 am
this painting takes my breath away…so gentle, so majestic.
January 9th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
this is just wonderful, lady
January 10th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I know I love you. I know you are right. I know that we are all in this togeter and sometimes that is the only thing that helps get us through.
I adore this painting Jen. it’s magical.
xo
January 10th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Hello Jen! this is Julia ; Tracey daughter! How are yo;u doing? That is a cool picture you drew of an elephant!
January 11th, 2009 at 3:18 am
[…] 11, 2009 · No Comments Jen asked, you see, but it took me a while to find an […]
January 16th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
i know
i know that a really great talent finds its happiness in execution
i know that if you avoid problems you’ll never be the one who overcame them.
i know that in order to live free and happily you must sacrifice boredom. and i know that it’s not always an easy sacrifice.
i know that you are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true.
i know that your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself.
and
i believe that the man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.
January 20th, 2009 at 11:55 am
BEAUTIFUL… may I translate them in French to put on my blog??
God bless you!
MarieNeige
January 20th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
It’s nice how when you need some words of wisdom and you reach out and find them. That’s what happened to me today, finding your blog. I am grieving the end of a long-term relationship, doing my best to stay in the place called “love” and not harbor resentment. I know I can find romantic love again. I know I can value all forms of love and that I am blessed to be a giver and recepient. I know that friends, kindness, love, and keeping an open heart are the most heart-expanding things in this world and that the world would be a better place if we all kept our hearts expanding. Thanks for your blog! Karol
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I needed these today:
“You can be okay without knowing”
“There’s a certain kind of love that does not let you go”
Thank you.
Lori
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
It can hurt so much but you have to venture and try
January 25th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I know I love this painting, your words and our friendship.
And I know that each day is a gift.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:01 am
I know I love this painting, your words and our friendship.
And I know that each day is a gift.