Reading your list, I realised that many of my own soulifying moments come from uncovering the stories of ordinary people who might otherwise have been forgotten. There's something deeply fulfilling about restoring a name, reconnecting a family, or giving someone back their place in history. It reminds me that we all long for the same thing, to know that our lives mattered and that we'll be remembered. Thank you for such a thoughtful and uplifting reflection.
Paul. Thanks for sharing your soulifying insight. It aligns with my belief that "everyone has a story." Even when I was much younger, I would find the older people in the room and ask them to tell me their story. I was always surprised and amazed at the lives so well lived and the resilience to endure the most difficult challenges. One of those conversations was with a holocaust survivor. She saw the worst of humanity, but made it through and had an incredibly upbeat and positive view of life. To appreciate them and their stories is to live.
What a cool and thought-provoking concept, Charlie!
One of the most soulifying experiences of my life happened on a photography trek with my son at Alstrom Point in Utah. Our goal was to see the full moon rise over Lake Powell. As the sun slipped below the horizon, we were treated to a spectacular sunset, but that was just the opening act.
As we stood in the darkness, the excitement among the few people on the point was palpable. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, a thin sliver of gold appeared above Gunsight Butte on the opposite shore. The moon seemed to be pulled upward as if it were a prop in an old-time movie, hoisted by an invisible string. It rose with surprising speed until it became a brilliant orb, casting magnificent reflections and long shadows across the water below.
I have witnessed many beautiful landscapes, but I've never experienced anything in nature that filled me with such awe. Sublime is the only word that describes the sensation. Sharing that moment with my son made it all the more meaningful. Truly soulifying. Even now, years later, I can close my eyes and be transported back to that evening. I know my son will cherish it forever, too.
Sounds fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your awe-some story.
It reminded me of a night I had with my son on the Fall River in Northern California, fly-fishing from a small boat as the moon rose over the mountains. We had about 20 minutes of a 'hex' hatch where the water was boiling with trout snapping up the large insects. Then we sped back up the river to the light of the Moon. I too will never forget that.
Yes! This landed at exactly the right time. I read it coming off a 4th of July weekend surrounded by extended family and it really put words to what those days felt like. I see Webster in the word "soulifying's" future. Great read.
Thanks for sharing how we might think about what matters in our lives. This week I picked up a copy of the Ursinus College Alumni Magazine and learned that a friend I had valued for decades since graduation had died suddenly. We had communicated every Christmas in written notes. My wife and I had visited he and his wife in their home on the Chesapeake Bay, gone sailing with them and visited a unique early American settlement with them known as Tangier Island. But I had let our communications lapse this past year. Then out of the blue I hear he's gone. I didn't get a chance to hear his funny, laid-back, intelligent voice once more.
Fortunately I keep a journal and I had taken photos and written detailed observations of that visit --30 pages in all. I had those indelible pictures and commentaries to remember him and to now share with his wife. But what I learned is that it is critical to take time to stay in touch, especially at our age. I'm 83 as was my friend. We should never forget that it takes effort to keep connected, even if it's just to remember some foolish prank we pulled off in college or visits where we just sat back, drank a beer and enjoyed each other. I will send his wife those pages from my journal which will bring my friend back to life for just a few memorable moments. But when you get my age -- and yours, too, Charlie -- we better reach out while we can, even if it's inconvenient or keeps us from tending to our ordinary, everyday lives. Friends are not cheap or easily ignored. We've got to cultivate and keep them in our hearts because that is soulifying. It imprints a mental image that we can pull up any time we want to remember this person who will always matter till we no longer can.
Hey Craig. Thank you for sharing your appointment story. It's a gentle reminder to make the effort to keep connected with those we love and the friends that are meaningful in our lives. I was just thinking about a friend of mine who I haven't talked to in a while--we were childhood playmates at age 5! The two of us went to school together and have shared many milestones in our lives. Your soulifying comment gave me a needed nudge. Thanks so much for sharing.
Reading your list, I realised that many of my own soulifying moments come from uncovering the stories of ordinary people who might otherwise have been forgotten. There's something deeply fulfilling about restoring a name, reconnecting a family, or giving someone back their place in history. It reminds me that we all long for the same thing, to know that our lives mattered and that we'll be remembered. Thank you for such a thoughtful and uplifting reflection.
Paul. Thanks for sharing your soulifying insight. It aligns with my belief that "everyone has a story." Even when I was much younger, I would find the older people in the room and ask them to tell me their story. I was always surprised and amazed at the lives so well lived and the resilience to endure the most difficult challenges. One of those conversations was with a holocaust survivor. She saw the worst of humanity, but made it through and had an incredibly upbeat and positive view of life. To appreciate them and their stories is to live.
It’s incredible how those that suffer the most always seem to be the most forgiving. It’s of job to be their voice and tell their stories
What a cool and thought-provoking concept, Charlie!
One of the most soulifying experiences of my life happened on a photography trek with my son at Alstrom Point in Utah. Our goal was to see the full moon rise over Lake Powell. As the sun slipped below the horizon, we were treated to a spectacular sunset, but that was just the opening act.
As we stood in the darkness, the excitement among the few people on the point was palpable. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, a thin sliver of gold appeared above Gunsight Butte on the opposite shore. The moon seemed to be pulled upward as if it were a prop in an old-time movie, hoisted by an invisible string. It rose with surprising speed until it became a brilliant orb, casting magnificent reflections and long shadows across the water below.
I have witnessed many beautiful landscapes, but I've never experienced anything in nature that filled me with such awe. Sublime is the only word that describes the sensation. Sharing that moment with my son made it all the more meaningful. Truly soulifying. Even now, years later, I can close my eyes and be transported back to that evening. I know my son will cherish it forever, too.
Sounds fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your awe-some story.
It reminded me of a night I had with my son on the Fall River in Northern California, fly-fishing from a small boat as the moon rose over the mountains. We had about 20 minutes of a 'hex' hatch where the water was boiling with trout snapping up the large insects. Then we sped back up the river to the light of the Moon. I too will never forget that.
Yes! This landed at exactly the right time. I read it coming off a 4th of July weekend surrounded by extended family and it really put words to what those days felt like. I see Webster in the word "soulifying's" future. Great read.
Nothing like connecting with family in a positive way! It's that human to human, warm connection that is very soulifying. Thanks so much for sharing.
Charlie:
Thanks for sharing how we might think about what matters in our lives. This week I picked up a copy of the Ursinus College Alumni Magazine and learned that a friend I had valued for decades since graduation had died suddenly. We had communicated every Christmas in written notes. My wife and I had visited he and his wife in their home on the Chesapeake Bay, gone sailing with them and visited a unique early American settlement with them known as Tangier Island. But I had let our communications lapse this past year. Then out of the blue I hear he's gone. I didn't get a chance to hear his funny, laid-back, intelligent voice once more.
Fortunately I keep a journal and I had taken photos and written detailed observations of that visit --30 pages in all. I had those indelible pictures and commentaries to remember him and to now share with his wife. But what I learned is that it is critical to take time to stay in touch, especially at our age. I'm 83 as was my friend. We should never forget that it takes effort to keep connected, even if it's just to remember some foolish prank we pulled off in college or visits where we just sat back, drank a beer and enjoyed each other. I will send his wife those pages from my journal which will bring my friend back to life for just a few memorable moments. But when you get my age -- and yours, too, Charlie -- we better reach out while we can, even if it's inconvenient or keeps us from tending to our ordinary, everyday lives. Friends are not cheap or easily ignored. We've got to cultivate and keep them in our hearts because that is soulifying. It imprints a mental image that we can pull up any time we want to remember this person who will always matter till we no longer can.
Craig Garner
"I Came to Play Your Game"
garner2195@gmail.com
Hey Craig. Thank you for sharing your appointment story. It's a gentle reminder to make the effort to keep connected with those we love and the friends that are meaningful in our lives. I was just thinking about a friend of mine who I haven't talked to in a while--we were childhood playmates at age 5! The two of us went to school together and have shared many milestones in our lives. Your soulifying comment gave me a needed nudge. Thanks so much for sharing.