Words of balm, thank you. Affirmation of my recent thinking leading to this 82nd year and speaking truth to myself. Cutting through the mire of mis-steps, very heavy going but…
Brava, Kara. They say the truth will set us free - but first it will make us miserable. I’ve found that to be the case, but less so with much practice!
I love this! Thank you for sharing so clearly and honestly.
Two things that stand out, EGO (edging GOD out) and patience to let Go and let God). He doesn't need our help and we need to have faith in him. Patience is a strategy, and a good one. Especially when there isn't a clear choice in our heart.
Bless you, and keep on sharing your truth, love, and kindness!
Learn IT, Teach IT, Live IT. Make the world a better place!
Wonderful article Kelly. It IS tricky terrain. A call for 'no more lies' had a devastating effect on important relationships for me and I often wring my hands that perhaps I got it wrong, or need to give others more grace. I like how you note how your truth may not always be how it is but that "The difference is, I keep watching. I keep listening. I’m willing to be shown when I’ve missed it". Great.
I'm new to posting on Substack - having written quiet and private newsletters for years to a small audience. In my move, I wanted to create engagement and stir/expose my own 'truth' publicly - as a creative activation. I perhaps naively thought this side of social media is somehow non-competitive and immune to the jealous pile-on and bandwagons.
Yes, so many lessons to learn here - it’s turning out to be a kind of creative incubator for me - as to competitive? Ha - it’s the Wild West! But it’s also collaborative. For me, it’s providing the perfect container for what I write and think about - I’m learning so much not just as a writer but regarding how to navigate the arena - how to stand in and claim my own poetics. In fact, that may be my next essay! Part of the process is finding my voice, but it goes beyond voice. It’s about agency and authorship. Born and raised in a cult as well as conditioned in a patriarchy, I didn’t get that part and it’s starting to dawn on me.
yep creative incubator was my idea, and perhaps what ha been modelled for me by other writers i already follow here. We become witness to their process and others witness ours (and collaborate - co-create). I'm new to you letters and value your work so look forward to your new sprouts
I think I understand your overall point, and the practice of being true to myself has been mine for a decade. If it is possible for me to have my truth and the other person have their truth, then what is actually true? There are “unintended consequences” to speaking “my” truth that could inflict serious pain on the “other” person whose truth is different from mine. And whose is fact?
Speaking “my” truth could ruin someone’s reputation, inflict unnecessary pain on their family, get someone terminated from their job, and cause them tremendous harm, etc.
If my truth and your truth are different but you say yours first, it can live as fact in the mind of the community.
This may be helpful - a note of mine: “Speaking my truth is not the same as silencing yours. It’s not domination—it’s disclosure. Not a demand, but a declaration.
When I name my experience, I am not erasing yours. When I speak from my body, from memory, from lived reality, I am not trying to win—I am trying to live.
If my truth unsettles you, that’s not oppression. That’s impact, not intention.
Discomfort is not censorship. Disagreement is not violence. Telling the truth is not the same as taking away someone else's voice.
We must stop mistaking being challenged for being silenced. A space where only one version of reality is allowed isn’t a conversation—it’s a cult.”
As I wrote, discernment is required. To Thine Own Self Be True is not about indiscriminately blurting out our opinions in the name of truth. It requires practice, self examination, and reflection.
Thank you for your thoughtful essay, On Glennon Doyle and the Price of Real: Undone, Unmuted, Untamed. Your exploration of Glennon Doyle's decision to leave Substack adds a nuanced perspective to the ongoing conversation about authenticity and the personal costs associated with public vulnerability. By connecting this to your own experiences within the 2x2 cult, you offer readers a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in choosing to live authentically, especially when it comes with significant personal and relational sacrifices. Your reflections encourage a broader discussion on the balance between truth-telling and the emotional toll it can take, highlighting the importance of self-care and community support in such journeys.
Thanks so much—I appreciate you taking the time to respond. While I didn’t reference my 2x2 upbringing in this particular piece, I know those deeper themes thread through much of my work.
Words of balm, thank you. Affirmation of my recent thinking leading to this 82nd year and speaking truth to myself. Cutting through the mire of mis-steps, very heavy going but…
Brava, Kara. They say the truth will set us free - but first it will make us miserable. I’ve found that to be the case, but less so with much practice!
I love this! Thank you for sharing so clearly and honestly.
Two things that stand out, EGO (edging GOD out) and patience to let Go and let God). He doesn't need our help and we need to have faith in him. Patience is a strategy, and a good one. Especially when there isn't a clear choice in our heart.
Bless you, and keep on sharing your truth, love, and kindness!
Learn IT, Teach IT, Live IT. Make the world a better place!
Thanks, Ed! I love that. “EGO (Edging God Out) Perfect!
You are very welcome. I am new here and trying to find my way and the best way to do that is jump right in! Any suggestions?
Engage with posts and notes like you did here. 👌🏼. I recommend @Sarah Faye’s Substack Writers At Work as a starting place.
Restacked with a note about the added bonus of the gorgeous sea turtle photo.
Oh wow! Thank you, Wendi. Isn’t she grand? Hope you got to listen to the song, too. It goes well with her.
Thanks, Ed! I love that. EGO (Edging God Out) Perfect!
Wonderful article Kelly. It IS tricky terrain. A call for 'no more lies' had a devastating effect on important relationships for me and I often wring my hands that perhaps I got it wrong, or need to give others more grace. I like how you note how your truth may not always be how it is but that "The difference is, I keep watching. I keep listening. I’m willing to be shown when I’ve missed it". Great.
I'm new to posting on Substack - having written quiet and private newsletters for years to a small audience. In my move, I wanted to create engagement and stir/expose my own 'truth' publicly - as a creative activation. I perhaps naively thought this side of social media is somehow non-competitive and immune to the jealous pile-on and bandwagons.
Yes, so many lessons to learn here - it’s turning out to be a kind of creative incubator for me - as to competitive? Ha - it’s the Wild West! But it’s also collaborative. For me, it’s providing the perfect container for what I write and think about - I’m learning so much not just as a writer but regarding how to navigate the arena - how to stand in and claim my own poetics. In fact, that may be my next essay! Part of the process is finding my voice, but it goes beyond voice. It’s about agency and authorship. Born and raised in a cult as well as conditioned in a patriarchy, I didn’t get that part and it’s starting to dawn on me.
yep creative incubator was my idea, and perhaps what ha been modelled for me by other writers i already follow here. We become witness to their process and others witness ours (and collaborate - co-create). I'm new to you letters and value your work so look forward to your new sprouts
Yes, agency and authorship. Spoken like a poetic cowgirl. Keep kicking up dust, Kelly.
Thanks! 💨💨💨
I think I understand your overall point, and the practice of being true to myself has been mine for a decade. If it is possible for me to have my truth and the other person have their truth, then what is actually true? There are “unintended consequences” to speaking “my” truth that could inflict serious pain on the “other” person whose truth is different from mine. And whose is fact?
Speaking “my” truth could ruin someone’s reputation, inflict unnecessary pain on their family, get someone terminated from their job, and cause them tremendous harm, etc.
If my truth and your truth are different but you say yours first, it can live as fact in the mind of the community.
This may be helpful - a note of mine: “Speaking my truth is not the same as silencing yours. It’s not domination—it’s disclosure. Not a demand, but a declaration.
When I name my experience, I am not erasing yours. When I speak from my body, from memory, from lived reality, I am not trying to win—I am trying to live.
If my truth unsettles you, that’s not oppression. That’s impact, not intention.
Discomfort is not censorship. Disagreement is not violence. Telling the truth is not the same as taking away someone else's voice.
We must stop mistaking being challenged for being silenced. A space where only one version of reality is allowed isn’t a conversation—it’s a cult.”
As I wrote, discernment is required. To Thine Own Self Be True is not about indiscriminately blurting out our opinions in the name of truth. It requires practice, self examination, and reflection.
Thank you for the mention. I meant every word of it.
I know you did. 🫶
Thank you for this! I came on here for Glennon Doyle! I had no idea what had happened until you wrote about it. Thank you
You’re welcome, Melita! Hope you found this helpful.
Wow! Divine timing for me to read today Kelly.
"I'm brought to a moment in which I am called to act on a truth rising within...."
As I prepare to do this I feel all those feelings you mention.
And yet I know this is part of the Journey...overcoming those human fear programmes and letting our Soul shine!!!
Your post is my rousing call today...thank you🤍🤍🤍
Thanks for letting me know! It means everything to see how my experience can benefit others. And report back please!
I read through this slowly, several times. Thank you for speaking it out, and for voicing it so well!
Thank you for reading, Hilary! No greater compliment. Happy to find you here.
These words came at the perfect time. Thank you! Eloquently and perfectly described. Absolutely agree.
Grateful to be on this path with you.
Thank you for your thoughtful essay, On Glennon Doyle and the Price of Real: Undone, Unmuted, Untamed. Your exploration of Glennon Doyle's decision to leave Substack adds a nuanced perspective to the ongoing conversation about authenticity and the personal costs associated with public vulnerability. By connecting this to your own experiences within the 2x2 cult, you offer readers a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in choosing to live authentically, especially when it comes with significant personal and relational sacrifices. Your reflections encourage a broader discussion on the balance between truth-telling and the emotional toll it can take, highlighting the importance of self-care and community support in such journeys.
Thanks so much—I appreciate you taking the time to respond. While I didn’t reference my 2x2 upbringing in this particular piece, I know those deeper themes thread through much of my work.