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Oliver N Mark's avatar

there is something about the ocean for sure. as a diver for many years now, there is a feeling very difficult to describe, that washes over me as i sink under the surface. serenity is the closest thing.

the metaphor of the tide is superb, and that line - the tide doesn't ask the shore "what have you done for me lately?" this one left me reeling. wow.

presence is something i found hard to come by, after falling into the transactional helping modality for much of my earlier years. give and take, you help me, i help you kind of deal.

its good intent, but unwholesome. coming from a place unhealed inside.

i have since learned, upon closing my inner void, i no longer have the urge to close anyone else's.

and you made an incredible point about the false belief of having to earn love, support and praise. not leadership, but survival mode. people pleasing 101.

glad i read this, will probably even revisit it because its got some layers!

take care Bryan.

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Heléna Kurçab's avatar

Wonderful post, Bryan Kramer. “Nothing in nature lives for itself” except humans....until they discover what brings true happiness. (Acts 20:35)

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Bryan Kramer's avatar

Thank you, Heléna – I love how you captured it.

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Stuart K Kimball's avatar

Nice one Bryan

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Bryan Kramer's avatar

Grateful you’re here, Stuart. 🙏

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Mary Kay Wall's avatar

Your writing and your message is consistently powerful! It stays with me.

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Bryan Kramer's avatar

I’m so glad it reached you, thank you for sharing this with me. 🙏

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Jake's avatar

I struggle with the waiting part. I give and give and I receive and receive but it always feels improperly weighted.

But the more I wait- the more I have seen my needs fulfilled in time. Beautiful piece, thank you Brian.

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Bryan Kramer's avatar

I feel that too, Jake, it’s hard to sit in the in-between, but I’m learning (slowly) that the waiting often holds exactly what I need, just not always in the way I expected.

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Cat Howland's avatar

This whole piece is so beautifully expressed…I especially loved this line: “Reciprocity asks us to stop grasping and start trusting the tide.” I’ve replaced my old morning news habit with columns like yours, and my days are better for it.

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Bryan Kramer's avatar

Thank you, Cat! Here's to more ebb and flow. 🙏

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