43 Comments
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Teresa O’Connor's avatar

Keep the faith, Truth! Don’t let them take away your beauty.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

That's the spirit! I like to think they both had moments of seeing things from the other point of view, which.. Well, you know.

Thanks, Teresa.

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MedicareMermaid's avatar

Brilliant! And glad Grace has a sense of humor.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Me, too, Mermaid. The way I see it, they both do. One's just a little more jaded than the other. ☺️

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Barry P Osborne's avatar

Oh my, and I'm pulling so hard for Grace. Seems like only Grace can make any sense of Truth. What a battle that is going on these days between two words of life that matter. Truth is sounding awfully strange to me but maybe Grace can pull her in. My favorite comment in the whole wonderful writing is this quote...

“Maybe,” Grace said, arms folded. “But I’m still going to look. Not everything has to solve something to matter.”

Ain't it the TRUTH....

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

You're right about needing all the Grace we can get these days, Barry. I also wonder if there's any difference between Truth and Reality.

Thanks for calling out that one line; I kind of liked it too. ☺️ So glad you're here.

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Switter’s World's avatar

Life is very complex.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

It sure is, Switter, but I think we have tools for getting to what's most important, or most meaningful, if we choose to pursue them. You do that.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Sandy Lawler's avatar

Well, That hit home! Truth and Grace in dialogue... the search for balance. Remembering joy. Thank you Elizabeth.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Sandy. I'm so glad joy came to mind. I very much wanted to give it a bit of the spotlight. It's good to see you here!

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Holly Starley's avatar

Beautiful. May we all keep truth and grace close, my friend. 💕💕💕

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Oh, Holly, thank you. THANK YOU! I find they often show up simultaneously, if I invite them to.

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Amy Cowen's avatar

Elizabeth - I'm almost at a loss for words. This was a surprise, totally inspired, beautifully lyric, and full of wordplay. Definitely a new favorite! I don't always listen to the audio, but I clicked this one on before I even looked to see what the post was, and the audio is great and really brings this conversation to life.

(I have a long-ago history with writing layered and dialogue-driven plays in the absurdist tradition (think Waiting for Godot). Reading this puts me in that mindset. Wonderful.)

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

How wonderful to learn that about you, Amy, and I love knowing that today's piece brought you back there. Where were the plays performed? You have a lovely audio voice; were you both playwright and actor for your past pieces?

I'll admit to being delighted by your response to this essay, and appreciate knowing that you enjoyed the audio version. I'm learning to have considerably more respect (and I already had a lot) for voice actors, audiobook narrators and the like. In the absence of props, costumes, and other visual clues, conveying tone and distinguishing between characters is harder than it first seems.

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

I did the exact same this time, too Amy! What a treat for certain. ~J

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

☺️

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Diane’s Blue Forum 👩‍💻's avatar

Great story. Go, Grace! And Elizabeth 💕

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

📣 Tell it, Diane!! Great to see you here. Thank you!

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MedicareMermaid's avatar

BTW, I forwarded the essay to a cousin. Here’s her response:

“I just sanded a splint of wood into my nail-bed. Ouch! If I have to go to urgent care and wait for hours, I will remember to appreciate not getting blamed for anything. That read was just the antidote for the mood I was in.”

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Oh…! This is totally a day-making addendum. Thank you for coming back to share that. Hope your cousin’s finger is okay. That sounds reeeally painful.

Dare I say, the truth hurts!? 😅

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MedicareMermaid's avatar

Ouch. In every sense. Truth and Grace agree.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

👏 ☺️ 💚

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Your writing is beautiful, Elizabeth. A joy to read. x

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Rebecca. That warms my heart.

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Susan Baker's avatar

Brilliant!! And I'm still gonna look, too ! I know I've written of the everyday sacred before but it is what I seek and strive for living in sunshine and shadow.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Ah, thanks so much, Susan. I love these thoughts and am grateful to you for sharing them here.

Nature is centering for everyone, don't you think? Even those who may not realize it. We are planetary beings, and we start our lives floating in darkness, held by own little oceans. The everyday sacred (such a beautiful expression) begins the same moment we do!

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Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

I can always expect the unexpected from you, Elizabeth. So good I restacked, shared, NOTED, and admired with an introspective smile. There is way too much 'Premium Indifference' in the world, and I'm grateful to count your intuitive sensitivity as part of my fortunately sheltered realm. Thank you. ~J

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Aw, THANK YOU, my friend! You get the "reaction" award today. 😅 Seriously, I'm honored and appreciative. Like you, I feel grateful to have circles of thoughtful people who help me feel safer and better understood. While I've tried to never take that for granted, lately it has seemed all the more precious.

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Michael Taylor's avatar

Nice.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thanks, Michael. Really appreciate you making time to let me know you were here today.

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Robin LaVoie's avatar

Lovely, thank you..!!

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

😌 So glad you’re part of this collective, Robin.

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Eileen Dougharty's avatar

What a sweet treat this piece is, Elizabeth. I did the audio first (as is my way, I like a bedtime story) and now I get to read it and enjoy it again. So much creativity in this conversation ❤️

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Thank you, friend. Some of your wit and wisdom ran through my head as I thought this one through. 😌💥💕

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Nancy A's avatar

This was elegant! I'll be returning to it often! 💝

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Elegant. What an encouraging word choice. Thank you, Nancy!

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