Silvio, this is such a wonderfully written piece, and not because I get a shout out (thought of course that helps). I want to share this with everyone I know on the writing journey. The way you capture the process is so accurate.
"A weekly writing cadence, where I commit to publishing a piece no matter how bad and confused and hopeless I might feel, taught me that I can do this even when I think I can’t. But I keep forgetting about this and every week I think that, this time, I won’t be able to do it." THIS made me laugh because it's so true.
"Starting a substack has given me the opportunity to plug myself into a community of awesome people. Every week, I get several interesting and thought-provoking comments below my essays, left by people who have actually read them, who have paid attention to my writing." I love that you and I both love and appreciate the comments in Substack. You captured it so well right here. It's hard to show up every week and knowing people come and read and then comment on a piece is the most encouraging thing to me as a writer. Also, I literally cannot believe you went and copied and pasted them all! I also know that if I looked at my comments, you have not missed. Thank you for showing up every week and gracing us with your lyrical words, your thought provoking musing and your sharp wit. I don't know where this writing journey goes for any of us, but I have no doubt that I'm betting on you!
I enjoyed following you on this exercise of exploring commenters! But Also the exercise of writing and publishing on this internet thing. I also thoroughly enjoy reading you.
What an amazing way to honor your readers Silvio, especially the effort you put in to capturing the unique contributions of each of these commenting authors. As I'm subscribed to many of these folks and read your tributes to each, I was struck by how much I resonated with your assessment of their essential strengths. I have a friend who just signed up for Substack and after following me asked who else they should follow. I mentioned your blog, and they asked me why they should read it. But I didn't have an immediate answer. I had to pause. And then I said, "Not sure - but somehow I am always engaged by the humanness of Silvio's reflections, and I always feel like I'm being invited to tea, or for a spring walk through a mind that's in bloom." I actually thought that was pretty good! But I think those of us who are appreciating you just feel seen because you are willing to see yourself and share it. And it's also really nice to know that the comments are appreciated, and that you aren't rolling your eyes when your serial fans chime in. I find commenting in general a complete joy. The authors you've named here are writing essays with standalone value, but their articles are also profound writing prompts, and open up new perspectives I didn't even know were in me until I engaged.
Forever a serial commenter on The Semi-Serious View 🤍 Silvio, when I get the notification in my inbox that you’ve published a new piece, I genuinely get excited. Real, eyes-light-up joy. Keep writing, keep writing, keep writing! :)
Also, I LOVE this idea of keeping comments like postcards. I may have to steal it.
Well well, I’m number seven with 9 comments. I’m going for the 10th! That's so kind of you silvio, thank you very much. If you had asked me how many comments I had left on your wonderful pieces I would have said... I would have had no idea! Numbers are numbers, after all. What those comments meant instead - at least for me - is much more valuable: it is a conversation that started from what you wrote and continued through the thoughts you were able and succeeded in provoking. Sometimes I have asked myself, "Am I not talking about something unrelated?" and that may well be so, but the great thing is that your writings do just that: they provoke reactions, they activate thoughts and memories. They take the mind elsewhere and always enrich me in the end. So thank you and thank you number 10. Today I have become Maradona.
OMG Silvio, thank you so much! This really means a ton, especially coming from you. And, leaving aside the fact that I get a shout out (my gratitude and appreciation to you! Thank you again!), this is a wonderful piece in its own right, as usual. I love the fact that you brought about the community aspect of the writing experience -- it's all about the connections we make. How wonderful it is, to hang out in the comments section with folks from all places, and all share the love and commitment to writing and exploration, within and without? This is communal spirit at its finest, and I cannot appreciate your sincere, in-depth, and always thought-provoking explorations enough, every Wednesday ;)
"But I keep forgetting about this and every week I think that, this time, I won’t be able to do it. And when I eventually do, I’m so relieved that I get the strength to repeat the cycle all over again."
I have this same feeling.
Also, in the first few months of Sunday Candy, I screenshot all my comments lol I always intended to do something with them too. A lot of them I kept in a journal to look back on when I needed a lift, but I stopped at some point. It might be a good practice to bring back.
Once WOP is over and I have time and energy, I'm looking forward to catching up on Substacks like yours :)
Wow, loved the piece Silvio. So much so that I going to start commenting on the pieces I like, instead of just appreciating them internally and moving on.
Ever since I started writing on substack, I've been reading dozens of essays, but I have never taken out the time to comment on them. But man, you've changed my entire approach!
Also, I want to commend you on your publishing streak. Keep it up my friend!
Silvio, This is such an inspiration. I love the way you brought along your commenters and captured their humanity more than their interactions in the process. You have a way of finding the smallest detail and making it feel like the most important, most beautiful, most poignant fact in the whole world. I love that about your voice.
I may only have commented 3 times, but it's because I started following your writing late. I expect to comment many more times (and honestly, absolutely cherish your comments on my own writing when they come).
I hope this continues 7 more months, than 7 years, then for a lot longer than that.
Wow Silvio. I loved this piece. I marvel at the fact that you took all the comments you've received and put them on a separate Google Doc. It's an interesting exercise! But above all, I really value you sharing how delightful this journey has been for you. I really needed it this week where I'm actively questioning what part of sharing my work online is driven by conviction and what part of it is driven by not wanting to quit this experiment. But your reflection also helps me see all the positives I've gained from sharing my work (particularly when I moved to Substack, which was nudged by you and a few others).
As always, your perspective is not only a breath of fresh air, but wind under our writing wings.
I've been sharing a lot of similar thoughts as I just hit my one year writing anniversary. But you put them more eloquently than I ever could. It's been a pleasure reading your words for the past seven months. And my only ask is that you never stop!
I literally just found you today, but I expect I'll make the next list lol. Keep up the excellent work, I'm really excited to add your influence to my idea factory!
Silvio, your writing are such a pleasure to read! How kind of you to shout-out to all who have commented. I’m stuck in perpetual hell of a writer’s block. Your weekly pieces encourage me to push forward.
Silvio, my friend. I remember we shared a common thinking moment as we went to and fro with the idea of “words create worlds”.
I am about to publish my fifth short article for WoP10 in addition to my 25th Effortless Thursdays.
In the short article I’ve written a curation piece on a real-life Indiana Jones who has had an impact on my coaching and my life in ways that are deeply satisfying.
Reading through all the comments you’ve received on this essay of yours shows me how much connection you have created with your words and ideas.
It was only mentioned once, though, by Ishan: love. These comments, your writing, are a joyful expression of the love you conjure amongst us all. We are privileged to share in how you’re creating it.
The description I wrote about the real life Indiana Jones, who’s actually a positive psychology professor is apt to describe the feeling I have reading your article.
“You see, what is different about Robert was so subtle at first, that I only caught it when I noticed my fellow students in class listening to Robert or watching him do a coaching demo: everyone’s heads were nodding and their faces smiling with a "yes, I can do this, too”
Thanks for the love, creating some beautiful worlds we can explore, and sprinkling your writing inspiration.
I said this to you already, but I’m sharing our WhatsApp message here because I want the world to know how much I appreciate you, your wisdom, and your damn good writing 🙂
Oh Silvio, my heart is going to burst. That was so wonderful to read. Thank you for this -- your descriptions are so clear and touching. You remind me to never lose sight of what this is all about -- connection, experiencing the profound & richness of life through writing together.
After our conversation about distribution, I needed this gentle reminder -- no matter what happens, we've proven to ourselves that we can write. That we can distill our unique human experiences into words on the page. And that's beautiful.
Silvio, this is such a wonderfully written piece, and not because I get a shout out (thought of course that helps). I want to share this with everyone I know on the writing journey. The way you capture the process is so accurate.
"A weekly writing cadence, where I commit to publishing a piece no matter how bad and confused and hopeless I might feel, taught me that I can do this even when I think I can’t. But I keep forgetting about this and every week I think that, this time, I won’t be able to do it." THIS made me laugh because it's so true.
"Starting a substack has given me the opportunity to plug myself into a community of awesome people. Every week, I get several interesting and thought-provoking comments below my essays, left by people who have actually read them, who have paid attention to my writing." I love that you and I both love and appreciate the comments in Substack. You captured it so well right here. It's hard to show up every week and knowing people come and read and then comment on a piece is the most encouraging thing to me as a writer. Also, I literally cannot believe you went and copied and pasted them all! I also know that if I looked at my comments, you have not missed. Thank you for showing up every week and gracing us with your lyrical words, your thought provoking musing and your sharp wit. I don't know where this writing journey goes for any of us, but I have no doubt that I'm betting on you!
I enjoyed following you on this exercise of exploring commenters! But Also the exercise of writing and publishing on this internet thing. I also thoroughly enjoy reading you.
And I hope for more of your photos soon too!
What an amazing way to honor your readers Silvio, especially the effort you put in to capturing the unique contributions of each of these commenting authors. As I'm subscribed to many of these folks and read your tributes to each, I was struck by how much I resonated with your assessment of their essential strengths. I have a friend who just signed up for Substack and after following me asked who else they should follow. I mentioned your blog, and they asked me why they should read it. But I didn't have an immediate answer. I had to pause. And then I said, "Not sure - but somehow I am always engaged by the humanness of Silvio's reflections, and I always feel like I'm being invited to tea, or for a spring walk through a mind that's in bloom." I actually thought that was pretty good! But I think those of us who are appreciating you just feel seen because you are willing to see yourself and share it. And it's also really nice to know that the comments are appreciated, and that you aren't rolling your eyes when your serial fans chime in. I find commenting in general a complete joy. The authors you've named here are writing essays with standalone value, but their articles are also profound writing prompts, and open up new perspectives I didn't even know were in me until I engaged.
Forever a serial commenter on The Semi-Serious View 🤍 Silvio, when I get the notification in my inbox that you’ve published a new piece, I genuinely get excited. Real, eyes-light-up joy. Keep writing, keep writing, keep writing! :)
Also, I LOVE this idea of keeping comments like postcards. I may have to steal it.
Well well, I’m number seven with 9 comments. I’m going for the 10th! That's so kind of you silvio, thank you very much. If you had asked me how many comments I had left on your wonderful pieces I would have said... I would have had no idea! Numbers are numbers, after all. What those comments meant instead - at least for me - is much more valuable: it is a conversation that started from what you wrote and continued through the thoughts you were able and succeeded in provoking. Sometimes I have asked myself, "Am I not talking about something unrelated?" and that may well be so, but the great thing is that your writings do just that: they provoke reactions, they activate thoughts and memories. They take the mind elsewhere and always enrich me in the end. So thank you and thank you number 10. Today I have become Maradona.
Threw comments 😂. I love your work, Silvio. I just linger in the shadows a lot.
OMG Silvio, thank you so much! This really means a ton, especially coming from you. And, leaving aside the fact that I get a shout out (my gratitude and appreciation to you! Thank you again!), this is a wonderful piece in its own right, as usual. I love the fact that you brought about the community aspect of the writing experience -- it's all about the connections we make. How wonderful it is, to hang out in the comments section with folks from all places, and all share the love and commitment to writing and exploration, within and without? This is communal spirit at its finest, and I cannot appreciate your sincere, in-depth, and always thought-provoking explorations enough, every Wednesday ;)
"But I keep forgetting about this and every week I think that, this time, I won’t be able to do it. And when I eventually do, I’m so relieved that I get the strength to repeat the cycle all over again."
I have this same feeling.
Also, in the first few months of Sunday Candy, I screenshot all my comments lol I always intended to do something with them too. A lot of them I kept in a journal to look back on when I needed a lift, but I stopped at some point. It might be a good practice to bring back.
Once WOP is over and I have time and energy, I'm looking forward to catching up on Substacks like yours :)
Wow, loved the piece Silvio. So much so that I going to start commenting on the pieces I like, instead of just appreciating them internally and moving on.
Ever since I started writing on substack, I've been reading dozens of essays, but I have never taken out the time to comment on them. But man, you've changed my entire approach!
Also, I want to commend you on your publishing streak. Keep it up my friend!
Silvio, This is such an inspiration. I love the way you brought along your commenters and captured their humanity more than their interactions in the process. You have a way of finding the smallest detail and making it feel like the most important, most beautiful, most poignant fact in the whole world. I love that about your voice.
I may only have commented 3 times, but it's because I started following your writing late. I expect to comment many more times (and honestly, absolutely cherish your comments on my own writing when they come).
I hope this continues 7 more months, than 7 years, then for a lot longer than that.
Wow Silvio. I loved this piece. I marvel at the fact that you took all the comments you've received and put them on a separate Google Doc. It's an interesting exercise! But above all, I really value you sharing how delightful this journey has been for you. I really needed it this week where I'm actively questioning what part of sharing my work online is driven by conviction and what part of it is driven by not wanting to quit this experiment. But your reflection also helps me see all the positives I've gained from sharing my work (particularly when I moved to Substack, which was nudged by you and a few others).
As always, your perspective is not only a breath of fresh air, but wind under our writing wings.
Bravo!
I've been sharing a lot of similar thoughts as I just hit my one year writing anniversary. But you put them more eloquently than I ever could. It's been a pleasure reading your words for the past seven months. And my only ask is that you never stop!
I literally just found you today, but I expect I'll make the next list lol. Keep up the excellent work, I'm really excited to add your influence to my idea factory!
Silvio, your writing are such a pleasure to read! How kind of you to shout-out to all who have commented. I’m stuck in perpetual hell of a writer’s block. Your weekly pieces encourage me to push forward.
Silvio, my friend. I remember we shared a common thinking moment as we went to and fro with the idea of “words create worlds”.
I am about to publish my fifth short article for WoP10 in addition to my 25th Effortless Thursdays.
In the short article I’ve written a curation piece on a real-life Indiana Jones who has had an impact on my coaching and my life in ways that are deeply satisfying.
Reading through all the comments you’ve received on this essay of yours shows me how much connection you have created with your words and ideas.
It was only mentioned once, though, by Ishan: love. These comments, your writing, are a joyful expression of the love you conjure amongst us all. We are privileged to share in how you’re creating it.
The description I wrote about the real life Indiana Jones, who’s actually a positive psychology professor is apt to describe the feeling I have reading your article.
“You see, what is different about Robert was so subtle at first, that I only caught it when I noticed my fellow students in class listening to Robert or watching him do a coaching demo: everyone’s heads were nodding and their faces smiling with a "yes, I can do this, too”
Thanks for the love, creating some beautiful worlds we can explore, and sprinkling your writing inspiration.
With ❤️
I said this to you already, but I’m sharing our WhatsApp message here because I want the world to know how much I appreciate you, your wisdom, and your damn good writing 🙂
Oh Silvio, my heart is going to burst. That was so wonderful to read. Thank you for this -- your descriptions are so clear and touching. You remind me to never lose sight of what this is all about -- connection, experiencing the profound & richness of life through writing together.
After our conversation about distribution, I needed this gentle reminder -- no matter what happens, we've proven to ourselves that we can write. That we can distill our unique human experiences into words on the page. And that's beautiful.