Wow, Michael. I am completely floored. Your courage, vulnerability, attitude, wisdom... all are just beyond. I cannot tell you how meaningful it was to read your story the way you wrote it. And kudos to you for declaring your intention with your writing, and for going for it now!
I know how challenging it can be to walk the path of the writer. I honestly found it soooo much easier when I worked in the publishing industry in NYC for 20 years! (plus the pay was way better😂) But maybe this human experience we're having as spiritual beings is partly about challenging ourselves. Maybe it's about embracing the growth and evolution of consciousness we experience when we step out of our comfort zone. And maybe it's also about finding the fun and the enjoyment in writing too...(as you know, I've enjoyed your sense of humor in your writing too.) But as someone who can empathize with how hard writing can be at times, I'm here to support you as one of your avid readers, and as one of the biggest fans of your writing. Congrats Michael!❤️🙏🕊️
Thank you Camilla. That means so much. I can’t explain how much I have appreciated your avid readership throughout this series (and before it) it has been one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about sharing the thing. And thank you sooooo much for the kudos in regards to declaring my writing intention. I was really hesitant to include that sentence, I thought about taking it out a bunch of times, and so I’m glad you said that. And like I said I’m said happy you are one of my readers.
And yes, I totally agree, I am constantly reminding myself to remember/find the fun with writing as at the end of the day not only do I think that’s one of creativity’s gifts, I also think the writing reads better when the author had fun.
I’ve been writing a few pieces, which I think will end up on substack, where I really leaned into the fun and my humour so hopefully you’ll see some of them soon enough. Thanks again Camilla :)
Extraordinary insight Michael. Bravo!!! This memoir should be on the desk of every pain specialist’s office, a guide that gently, candidly offers an alternative to resisting what is. Such profound work, both on yourself and on crafting this story!
I love how this last chapter offers insight into the little wins we can feel as we reenter the world, not fixed, but relating to our body’s experiences and symptoms in an entirely different way. Like you say, most of that shift is from the inside, a releasing of the need to judge circumstance and instead stay open to how life presents itself. You became such an attentive student in this whole process, and that takes a lot of vulnerability and trust that not many experience in a lifetime.
Thank you Kimberly. I don’t even know how begin to thanking you for your attentive reading throughout this series and you countless kind words. It has really meant so much.
Yes, we’ve gotta take those little wins where we can get them! And definitely, I feel that the internal shift of releasing the need to judge and label every circumstance, and instead, being open to how life presents itself — is such a wonderful lesson and gift that this experience bestowed.
Again, I really appreciate your kind words, both on my writing and on how I dealt with this experience. It means so much, especially coming from someone like yourself who is such a fine writer and who has also gone through a similar experience.
Michael! I loved this as much as I expected and more. I love the lessons that you took from this experience. Facing demons is no small feat. And understanding the silver lining in pain is a beautiful, inspiring thing. None of us, after all, will get through this life without various forms of it at different times. So if we can embrace that it’s not bad, full stop, that it might even have something important to offer, we’ve stepped into a deeper universal truth, I believe.
Thank you for sharing your insights and your story. I have so very much enjoyed it.
And I look forward to the God only knows what that comes after the holiday break. 😉
Thank you Holly. Your thoughtful and kind comments on each instalment of this series have been such a blessing and added so much to my enjoyment of writing this thing.
Yes, I certainly agree. And while it took me a long stubborn time to get there —embracing the idea that pain may actually have something important to offer is something I’m very grateful to have learned. And it was a big part of what I wanted people to take away from this series. And so, I’m so glad you mentioned that.
Thanks again Holly. It really means so much to me that you was such an engaged and encouraging reader of this series. I really appreciate it.
And oh yes, God only knows what’s coming next haha :)
Wonderful ME ... may your tuition in the university of life continue along with the acquisition of grace and humility... not sure about the Big Bang though?
Those moments when we step back and realize that the adversity or the pain or the disappointment shaped us into better selves or guided us onto positive paths feel like sacred, spiritual moments when the universe feels less like chaotic clashing and more like a benevolent machine whirring quietly in the background. This has been a powerful series, and I love that it concludes with a glimpse of you tentatively mounting a skateboard and gingerly moving forward a changed man. Bravo.
Thank you Michael. I can’t begin to explain how much I appreciate you consistent engagement with this series and the thoughtful comments you have offered each fortnight. It has meant so much.
Also the first sentence of your comment is so well put! I couldn’t agree more. There is certainly something spiritual or sacred about stepping back and being able to realise that in some way all that pain helped get us to where we didn’t even realise we needed to go. “…like a benevolent machine whirring quietly in the background” — indeed!
And yes, there had to be a little snippet of me gingerly rolling away haha
Thank again, Michael. Your involvement in this series has meant so much to me. :)
All I could think about reading this final post is, "I hope Michael becomes a counsellor so he can help other people navigate difficult life situations." Folks who have been to the dark side are the ones who can inspire the most hope, offer the best tools and shine the light in a way that students of theory cannot. Just saying.
Thank you for sharing your story my friend. I'll see you in our emails.
Thank you Donna. That is such a kind thing to say. I think last instalment you suggested I should write a book and this time become a counsellor — both of which is incredibly high praise, but also a lot to do 😅. But seriously, thank you, as with writing the book, becoming a counsellor is something I have considered, so who knows, maybe one day, ‘the night is still young’ as they say hahaha.
Also, thank you Donna. Thank you for your consistent and encouraging engagement with this series — it has honestly meant so much to me.
And, of course, thank you for all the help your offering now! Yes, see you in our emails — I actually emailed you today :)
Brilliant conclusion to a truly moving personal story. Thank you for sharing this, Michael - it really is inspiring, and it really does have so many lessons that dovetail with the work that Kim and Donna also both are doing. You three are the trifecta of acceptance and hope. :) I'll be interested to read the postscript, when you get to it. In the meantime, I'll say again if I haven't already how the sobriety aspect of your story also seems to mirror and compound the physical journey, and how often I have heard people express gratitude for the dark night that led them to a greater sense of self and peace. Great work, brother. And now back to our regular platypus programming. 🤗💛⭐
Thank you Troy. I really appreciate that. To be put in the same circle as Donna and Kimberly is the highest of praise.
And yes, to me the sobriety aspect of this story was just as big as the pain part, and the fact that they coincided was both harrowing and wonderfull haha. But yes, as you said, I am very thankful that their dark night led me to the other side.
Also, I just want to say thank you for your consistent engagement with this series. It really meant a lot to see your thoughtful, kind, funny, and encouraging words in the comments section each fortnight and I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am for that.
And hahaha my ‘regular platypus programming’ — nice one!
Apologies for being late to the 'finale party'. You did a really great job with this series Michael, it was very well written and I really hope it becomes a few chapters in the book. You have summed up 'life' here. Self-loathing is a killer to our innate joy in life, no matter what inspires us. We have been so conditioned to believe in achievement that we have lost ourselves in the very moment of now in which we exist. You have also summed up that while we are still alive each lesson is only part of the journey. Oh how we want to 'understand' and 'control' and 'know'. But if we just 'be' and 'do' then our specific lessons will be revealed over time. I look forward to hearing more of your journey as well as reading your essays on God knows what ha ha. Great job!!
What I must say, however, is a sincere, thank you, to you! I have so enjoyed and appreciated your consistent and encouraging engagement with this series — it was truly a pleasure to see your kind, witty words in the comment section every fortnight.
As for your kind words on this specific post, again, I must thank you. I’m flattered and so happy to hear that you the various life lessons you mentioned were things you felt I conveyed throughout the series. Conveying such things was a big part of what I wanted to do with this series and so I’m thrilled to hear it came off.
And, ohhh yes, there will be more wildly curious platypus musings to come, and I look forward to joking in the comments with you on those pieces as well :)
Someone needs to keep 'nagging' you about the book Michael. Although I am quite sure that you give yourself more nagging than any one else could possibly do! It is the one thing I wish I had got my shit together on when I was younger. It is still on my bucket list but life........ well, you know how it is!
I sooo appreciate your ‘nagging’ (although I’d call it encouragement) about the book, April. It is actually so nice to have someone who’s genuinely rooting for me to bring this book into the world. And yes, you’re right, I definitely nag myself about getting it done far too much. I have no doubt I’ll finish the book and put it out, it’s not an ‘if’ thing it’s a ‘when’ thing.
And right now, I’m actually trying to learn to not push myself so damn hard (as that is still a problem I struggle with), and instead just learn to enjoy the process and accept that the book will be finished when it’s finished.
I hope you still find a way to write your book too, April. You can do it! But yes, I know, right! Life does seem to have other plans sometimes haha. :)
It’s been tremendous reading your experience over the months. I have a story a bit like this and you’ve inspired me to think about writing it. You’ve dared to write holistically about health. I truly believe that one day in the not too distant, this type of thinking will be much more the norm. Once we come to it, any other way of thinking about ourselves seems a bit ridiculous!
Thank you so much Misbehaved Muse. Both for your kind words on this post, and for consistently reading and offering your encouraging thoughts on this series. It has meant so much to be able to engage with you throughout this series.
Also, I can’t explain how delighted I am to hear that I’ve inspired you to think about writing your story! That is the highest of praise. And if could offer another little nudge — I would be thrilled to be able to read your story.
As for this holistic way of thinking about health becoming the norm — I so hope you are right. As I totally agree with you, once you come to it, thinking about it in any other way seems ridiculous!
Hello friend! Isn’t it nice to be able to connect here with people we’d otherwise never know. You’re so welcome! I’m happy you have felt supported through this and most importantly I celebrate that you’ve been able to see that your words and experience make a difference and impact others. It’s totally your story that’s given me the idea to venture into this arena. I think it will be one of my 2025 projects. Thanks again and look forward to continuing to support each other.
One hell of a courageous perspective to take: “I started to whole-heartedly believe that this experience was laden with lessons. Lessons I needed to learn if I ever wanted to come out the other end of this thing.”
I’d venture a guess that to you now it probably seems like the natural thing to do, like there wasn’t a choice, but the fact is that most wouldn’t dream of even entertaining that perspective, not with that kind of pain.
Well written and entertaining and thoughtful and witty and open hearted and humble(!) the whole way through. Would’ve loved to have read this back when I was diagnosed with incurable chronic pain 15 years ago — but then I would’ve shortcutted my own lessons. 😁
Thank you Eric. That is so kind of you to say. And it is actually so interesting what you said here:
“I’d venture a guess that to you now it probably seems like the natural thing to do, like there wasn’t a choice…” because that is often what I think when people have said similar things about choosing to learn from that experience. And so, the fact that you already knew that that’s how I think about it now, was incredibly interesting to me. It makes me feel as though, without even having read your story yet, that we have come to similar conclusions. Which makes your story all the more intriguing to read :)
Fascinating… I don’t know what your full conclusions are since you aptly pointed out that everything is in constant connective flow and all endings aren’t really endings as such… but my sense is that (and please forgive any egoic presumption on my part) Coincidence Speaks is the exact book I would’ve wanted to read given the life cycle you seem to be entering now. 😁 really curious how it lands for you!
Ohhhh, Michael, congrats on reaching a place to write “The End…ish.” Because you’re right, these types of things really are journeys. I look forward to not only any further installments, but also the resumption of Platypushnanigans.
It is so inspiring to read such a holistic take, because we’re such holistic beings, no matter how the world and definitely so many fields focused on “healing” try to compartmentalize us and our issues. Maybe I should have put “focused” in quotes instead. As too many are actually focused on making money through throwing “solutions” at symptoms to keep the bucks rolling in and the dependency strong.
So many pieces to this pie. I love how you’ve been able to weave them together, yet give each one its voice on your way to multilayered liberation. So engaging, and educational, and especially inspirational. I’m so glad you were able to navigate your way through and…roll with it. 😜 Just so fabulous and I look forward to hearing about your adventures in making it a more official, in-depth story for publication. We’ll be here cheering you on no matter what you do with your writing and all your other gifts and passions. Wooooot!!!!!! You rock.
Yeah it was nice (and somewhat hard) to wrap up this story given the whole ‘journeys never really end’ conundrum, but I’m glad to have been able to close this chapter.
Thank you Alexx. I really appreciate that. And I couldn’t agree more — we are holistic beings, no matter how much some people try to compartmentalise us.
And thank you for your kind words on my writing. It has honestly meant so much to see your kind, supportive, and often hilarious words in the comments of every post throughout this series. It has been so encouraging and it has helped me so much to share my story with more confidence. It is so damn cool to have met such awesome homies like yourself through Substack and to have gotten the chance to relate to one another through our experiences. And so, yeah, just so you know, I think you rock as well Alexx :)
" I started to whole-heartedly believe that this experience was laden with lessons. Lessons I needed to learn if I ever wanted to come out the other end of this thing." Thank you for teasing out those lessons so honestly and eloquently, Michael. This has been been such a powerful series of articles and I hope they will be widely read.
Thank you Jeffrey. I really appreciate your kind words. I’m also really appreciative of your support and consistent readership of this series — it has meant a lot. :)
My pleasure, Michael. The sustained brilliance of the writing has been so impressive. This last piece was no exception. For some reason, I hadn't seen it in my inbox. So I went looking for it (as I do for my favourite writers) and I was richly rewarded for doing so by the excellence of the essay. Congratulations!
This is so inspiring! I’m glad you shared this journey. Much to resonate with, and I’m sure I’m not the only one
Thank you Ming. I really appreciate that. I’m so glad to hear it resonated with you. And thank you so much for reading :)
Wow, Michael. I am completely floored. Your courage, vulnerability, attitude, wisdom... all are just beyond. I cannot tell you how meaningful it was to read your story the way you wrote it. And kudos to you for declaring your intention with your writing, and for going for it now!
I know how challenging it can be to walk the path of the writer. I honestly found it soooo much easier when I worked in the publishing industry in NYC for 20 years! (plus the pay was way better😂) But maybe this human experience we're having as spiritual beings is partly about challenging ourselves. Maybe it's about embracing the growth and evolution of consciousness we experience when we step out of our comfort zone. And maybe it's also about finding the fun and the enjoyment in writing too...(as you know, I've enjoyed your sense of humor in your writing too.) But as someone who can empathize with how hard writing can be at times, I'm here to support you as one of your avid readers, and as one of the biggest fans of your writing. Congrats Michael!❤️🙏🕊️
Thank you Camilla. That means so much. I can’t explain how much I have appreciated your avid readership throughout this series (and before it) it has been one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about sharing the thing. And thank you sooooo much for the kudos in regards to declaring my writing intention. I was really hesitant to include that sentence, I thought about taking it out a bunch of times, and so I’m glad you said that. And like I said I’m said happy you are one of my readers.
And yes, I totally agree, I am constantly reminding myself to remember/find the fun with writing as at the end of the day not only do I think that’s one of creativity’s gifts, I also think the writing reads better when the author had fun.
I’ve been writing a few pieces, which I think will end up on substack, where I really leaned into the fun and my humour so hopefully you’ll see some of them soon enough. Thanks again Camilla :)
Extraordinary insight Michael. Bravo!!! This memoir should be on the desk of every pain specialist’s office, a guide that gently, candidly offers an alternative to resisting what is. Such profound work, both on yourself and on crafting this story!
I love how this last chapter offers insight into the little wins we can feel as we reenter the world, not fixed, but relating to our body’s experiences and symptoms in an entirely different way. Like you say, most of that shift is from the inside, a releasing of the need to judge circumstance and instead stay open to how life presents itself. You became such an attentive student in this whole process, and that takes a lot of vulnerability and trust that not many experience in a lifetime.
Thank you Kimberly. I don’t even know how begin to thanking you for your attentive reading throughout this series and you countless kind words. It has really meant so much.
Yes, we’ve gotta take those little wins where we can get them! And definitely, I feel that the internal shift of releasing the need to judge and label every circumstance, and instead, being open to how life presents itself — is such a wonderful lesson and gift that this experience bestowed.
Again, I really appreciate your kind words, both on my writing and on how I dealt with this experience. It means so much, especially coming from someone like yourself who is such a fine writer and who has also gone through a similar experience.
Thank you Kimberly :)
Michael! I loved this as much as I expected and more. I love the lessons that you took from this experience. Facing demons is no small feat. And understanding the silver lining in pain is a beautiful, inspiring thing. None of us, after all, will get through this life without various forms of it at different times. So if we can embrace that it’s not bad, full stop, that it might even have something important to offer, we’ve stepped into a deeper universal truth, I believe.
Thank you for sharing your insights and your story. I have so very much enjoyed it.
And I look forward to the God only knows what that comes after the holiday break. 😉
Thank you Holly. Your thoughtful and kind comments on each instalment of this series have been such a blessing and added so much to my enjoyment of writing this thing.
Yes, I certainly agree. And while it took me a long stubborn time to get there —embracing the idea that pain may actually have something important to offer is something I’m very grateful to have learned. And it was a big part of what I wanted people to take away from this series. And so, I’m so glad you mentioned that.
Thanks again Holly. It really means so much to me that you was such an engaged and encouraging reader of this series. I really appreciate it.
And oh yes, God only knows what’s coming next haha :)
Whatever it is, I await it with anticipation. :)
Wonderful ME ... may your tuition in the university of life continue along with the acquisition of grace and humility... not sure about the Big Bang though?
Thank you Emmett. That is much appreciated. I’m not too sure about the Big Bang either… seems a bit fishy to me hehe :)
Those moments when we step back and realize that the adversity or the pain or the disappointment shaped us into better selves or guided us onto positive paths feel like sacred, spiritual moments when the universe feels less like chaotic clashing and more like a benevolent machine whirring quietly in the background. This has been a powerful series, and I love that it concludes with a glimpse of you tentatively mounting a skateboard and gingerly moving forward a changed man. Bravo.
Thank you Michael. I can’t begin to explain how much I appreciate you consistent engagement with this series and the thoughtful comments you have offered each fortnight. It has meant so much.
Also the first sentence of your comment is so well put! I couldn’t agree more. There is certainly something spiritual or sacred about stepping back and being able to realise that in some way all that pain helped get us to where we didn’t even realise we needed to go. “…like a benevolent machine whirring quietly in the background” — indeed!
And yes, there had to be a little snippet of me gingerly rolling away haha
Thank again, Michael. Your involvement in this series has meant so much to me. :)
All I could think about reading this final post is, "I hope Michael becomes a counsellor so he can help other people navigate difficult life situations." Folks who have been to the dark side are the ones who can inspire the most hope, offer the best tools and shine the light in a way that students of theory cannot. Just saying.
Thank you for sharing your story my friend. I'll see you in our emails.
Thank you Donna. That is such a kind thing to say. I think last instalment you suggested I should write a book and this time become a counsellor — both of which is incredibly high praise, but also a lot to do 😅. But seriously, thank you, as with writing the book, becoming a counsellor is something I have considered, so who knows, maybe one day, ‘the night is still young’ as they say hahaha.
Also, thank you Donna. Thank you for your consistent and encouraging engagement with this series — it has honestly meant so much to me.
And, of course, thank you for all the help your offering now! Yes, see you in our emails — I actually emailed you today :)
Brilliant conclusion to a truly moving personal story. Thank you for sharing this, Michael - it really is inspiring, and it really does have so many lessons that dovetail with the work that Kim and Donna also both are doing. You three are the trifecta of acceptance and hope. :) I'll be interested to read the postscript, when you get to it. In the meantime, I'll say again if I haven't already how the sobriety aspect of your story also seems to mirror and compound the physical journey, and how often I have heard people express gratitude for the dark night that led them to a greater sense of self and peace. Great work, brother. And now back to our regular platypus programming. 🤗💛⭐
Thank you Troy. I really appreciate that. To be put in the same circle as Donna and Kimberly is the highest of praise.
And yes, to me the sobriety aspect of this story was just as big as the pain part, and the fact that they coincided was both harrowing and wonderfull haha. But yes, as you said, I am very thankful that their dark night led me to the other side.
Also, I just want to say thank you for your consistent engagement with this series. It really meant a lot to see your thoughtful, kind, funny, and encouraging words in the comments section each fortnight and I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am for that.
And hahaha my ‘regular platypus programming’ — nice one!
Thanks Brother :)
My pleasure - really. :)
Apologies for being late to the 'finale party'. You did a really great job with this series Michael, it was very well written and I really hope it becomes a few chapters in the book. You have summed up 'life' here. Self-loathing is a killer to our innate joy in life, no matter what inspires us. We have been so conditioned to believe in achievement that we have lost ourselves in the very moment of now in which we exist. You have also summed up that while we are still alive each lesson is only part of the journey. Oh how we want to 'understand' and 'control' and 'know'. But if we just 'be' and 'do' then our specific lessons will be revealed over time. I look forward to hearing more of your journey as well as reading your essays on God knows what ha ha. Great job!!
No apologies necessary, April!
What I must say, however, is a sincere, thank you, to you! I have so enjoyed and appreciated your consistent and encouraging engagement with this series — it was truly a pleasure to see your kind, witty words in the comment section every fortnight.
As for your kind words on this specific post, again, I must thank you. I’m flattered and so happy to hear that you the various life lessons you mentioned were things you felt I conveyed throughout the series. Conveying such things was a big part of what I wanted to do with this series and so I’m thrilled to hear it came off.
And, ohhh yes, there will be more wildly curious platypus musings to come, and I look forward to joking in the comments with you on those pieces as well :)
Someone needs to keep 'nagging' you about the book Michael. Although I am quite sure that you give yourself more nagging than any one else could possibly do! It is the one thing I wish I had got my shit together on when I was younger. It is still on my bucket list but life........ well, you know how it is!
I sooo appreciate your ‘nagging’ (although I’d call it encouragement) about the book, April. It is actually so nice to have someone who’s genuinely rooting for me to bring this book into the world. And yes, you’re right, I definitely nag myself about getting it done far too much. I have no doubt I’ll finish the book and put it out, it’s not an ‘if’ thing it’s a ‘when’ thing.
And right now, I’m actually trying to learn to not push myself so damn hard (as that is still a problem I struggle with), and instead just learn to enjoy the process and accept that the book will be finished when it’s finished.
I hope you still find a way to write your book too, April. You can do it! But yes, I know, right! Life does seem to have other plans sometimes haha. :)
It’s been tremendous reading your experience over the months. I have a story a bit like this and you’ve inspired me to think about writing it. You’ve dared to write holistically about health. I truly believe that one day in the not too distant, this type of thinking will be much more the norm. Once we come to it, any other way of thinking about ourselves seems a bit ridiculous!
Thank you so much Misbehaved Muse. Both for your kind words on this post, and for consistently reading and offering your encouraging thoughts on this series. It has meant so much to be able to engage with you throughout this series.
Also, I can’t explain how delighted I am to hear that I’ve inspired you to think about writing your story! That is the highest of praise. And if could offer another little nudge — I would be thrilled to be able to read your story.
As for this holistic way of thinking about health becoming the norm — I so hope you are right. As I totally agree with you, once you come to it, thinking about it in any other way seems ridiculous!
Thanks again, friend :)
Hello friend! Isn’t it nice to be able to connect here with people we’d otherwise never know. You’re so welcome! I’m happy you have felt supported through this and most importantly I celebrate that you’ve been able to see that your words and experience make a difference and impact others. It’s totally your story that’s given me the idea to venture into this arena. I think it will be one of my 2025 projects. Thanks again and look forward to continuing to support each other.
It is so nice we get to connect! That has quickly become my favourite thing about substack.
And again thank you so much. As a writer to have someone say that my words make a difference and have an impact — is all I can ever ask for.
And I can’t begin to explain how thrilled I am to hear you’re venturing into this arena.
I look forward to continuing to support one another as well — hear hear :)
One hell of a courageous perspective to take: “I started to whole-heartedly believe that this experience was laden with lessons. Lessons I needed to learn if I ever wanted to come out the other end of this thing.”
I’d venture a guess that to you now it probably seems like the natural thing to do, like there wasn’t a choice, but the fact is that most wouldn’t dream of even entertaining that perspective, not with that kind of pain.
Well written and entertaining and thoughtful and witty and open hearted and humble(!) the whole way through. Would’ve loved to have read this back when I was diagnosed with incurable chronic pain 15 years ago — but then I would’ve shortcutted my own lessons. 😁
Thank you Eric. That is so kind of you to say. And it is actually so interesting what you said here:
“I’d venture a guess that to you now it probably seems like the natural thing to do, like there wasn’t a choice…” because that is often what I think when people have said similar things about choosing to learn from that experience. And so, the fact that you already knew that that’s how I think about it now, was incredibly interesting to me. It makes me feel as though, without even having read your story yet, that we have come to similar conclusions. Which makes your story all the more intriguing to read :)
Fascinating… I don’t know what your full conclusions are since you aptly pointed out that everything is in constant connective flow and all endings aren’t really endings as such… but my sense is that (and please forgive any egoic presumption on my part) Coincidence Speaks is the exact book I would’ve wanted to read given the life cycle you seem to be entering now. 😁 really curious how it lands for you!
Well, having read chapter one, (and very soon to read chapter two) it’s landing pretty well so far. I can say that much :)
Fly high, Michael!!!
Thank you Fotini! I really appreciate that. And thank you for being so actively engaged in this series — it means a lot :)
Ohhhh, Michael, congrats on reaching a place to write “The End…ish.” Because you’re right, these types of things really are journeys. I look forward to not only any further installments, but also the resumption of Platypushnanigans.
It is so inspiring to read such a holistic take, because we’re such holistic beings, no matter how the world and definitely so many fields focused on “healing” try to compartmentalize us and our issues. Maybe I should have put “focused” in quotes instead. As too many are actually focused on making money through throwing “solutions” at symptoms to keep the bucks rolling in and the dependency strong.
So many pieces to this pie. I love how you’ve been able to weave them together, yet give each one its voice on your way to multilayered liberation. So engaging, and educational, and especially inspirational. I’m so glad you were able to navigate your way through and…roll with it. 😜 Just so fabulous and I look forward to hearing about your adventures in making it a more official, in-depth story for publication. We’ll be here cheering you on no matter what you do with your writing and all your other gifts and passions. Wooooot!!!!!! You rock.
Omg “Platypushnanigans” — I love it! Hahaha
Yeah it was nice (and somewhat hard) to wrap up this story given the whole ‘journeys never really end’ conundrum, but I’m glad to have been able to close this chapter.
Thank you Alexx. I really appreciate that. And I couldn’t agree more — we are holistic beings, no matter how much some people try to compartmentalise us.
And thank you for your kind words on my writing. It has honestly meant so much to see your kind, supportive, and often hilarious words in the comments of every post throughout this series. It has been so encouraging and it has helped me so much to share my story with more confidence. It is so damn cool to have met such awesome homies like yourself through Substack and to have gotten the chance to relate to one another through our experiences. And so, yeah, just so you know, I think you rock as well Alexx :)
✨🥰✨ You’re so welcome! I comment where I’m genuinely inspired so… 🤜✨🤛
" I started to whole-heartedly believe that this experience was laden with lessons. Lessons I needed to learn if I ever wanted to come out the other end of this thing." Thank you for teasing out those lessons so honestly and eloquently, Michael. This has been been such a powerful series of articles and I hope they will be widely read.
Thank you Jeffrey. I really appreciate your kind words. I’m also really appreciative of your support and consistent readership of this series — it has meant a lot. :)
My pleasure, Michael. The sustained brilliance of the writing has been so impressive. This last piece was no exception. For some reason, I hadn't seen it in my inbox. So I went looking for it (as I do for my favourite writers) and I was richly rewarded for doing so by the excellence of the essay. Congratulations!
Now your just making me blush. Thank you Jeffrey. Your kind words about my writing really means a lot :)