Writing Dreams

A year on Substack: reflecting back, looking forward, thinking about swimming lessons and when I might consider myself a writer.

Hi I’m Debbie, a spiritual director, writer and mother based in Glasgow. I offer stories, ponderings and gentle invitations to share a moment with your soul.

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Hello friends,

In January of 2023 I sat with two friends and shared my dream of writing on Substack. My monthly Soul Sessions had been going for a while, and I hoped to offer the invitation to pause here too. They gently encouraged me and helped to hold me accountable to actually moving the thing into action (thanks pals!) And here we are a year down the line, so read on for some reflecting back and dreaming forward.

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In February 2023 as I considered this space I wrote in my journal:

This is why I need to write and keep writing, it’s from me, it’s for me

‘May you pause too

Write from there

What you find, what you know

And trust the words will grow’

Last year I started here by sharing the material from my monthly Soul Sessions, hoping to extend the invitation to pause.  After a few months I found myself straining at that boundary, there was more that I wanted to explore and say. Yes I want to offer a spacious soulful space for those of any faiths or none. But I also want to talk about prayer and family and community.  It would be much simpler to show up here in one neatly defined box, but it’s not authentic. I’ve found that when I’m not concerned who is listening I write about the grey parts of faith - the questions, the doubts, the hopes, the finding a stumbling way through. It seems some of those stories from my life want to be shared too. I want to show up here as a Spiritual Director, but also as a mother, a neighbour, a messy human being.

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During 2023 I was delighted to have some coaching with my friend Moira. lt surprised that me how often my desire to write appeared. She helped me to consider my fears and obstacles and I gradually learned to see writing as one of my offerings in the world. Moira asked me how I’d like to celebrate ending the series of coaching, and so I bought myself a desk¹ to honour this task. On Substack I’ve found myself as part of a community of creatives and I’m starting to claim that word for myself. On my brave days, I can even call myself a writer.

When my 6 year old started his swimming lessons, he was the smallest in his class and he mostly bobbed (fairly merrily) up and down the pool. The weeks went on and his classmates paddled past, as he struggled to keep hold of the float. Maybe he'd turn and wave at me if I was paying attention, in between his bobbing lengths. Every week he went willingly, and every week I sat on the sidelines in support (or Paul if it was his turn). There was no big breakthrough moment, there was simply the steady showing up each week, bobbing up and down the pool, encouraged by his teachers and us in the plastic folding chairs. Now he swims and he loves it. And I just can't tell you the moment that he started swimming. I can't tell you when I'll feel like a 'writer'. But I hope that I can keep showing up, with my unsteady strokes, and I so appreciate those of you in your creaky sideline chairs cheering me on. Thanks for helping me to see that I'm already swimming.

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I want to keep making this Substack site my home, a reflection of who I am. So this year I’ll be filling it with some lovely friends, in a collaboration with other hosts of soul spaces. I’ll continue to share a host of soul spaces posts, and Pocket Prayers. We also have a new series coming up on Finding a Rhythm of Life featuring chats with Paul (who lives in my actual home, so that feels appropriate!)

My posts here will continue to be free, and I am so grateful to those of you who choose to support me financially here. Your support helps me to honour these words with time and energy.

This is a journey, a practice, a hope for words and thoughts and connection. Thanks for being here.

In other news, I’m delighted to be offering an In Between Online Retreat with the lovely Fiona Koefoed-Jesperson. Our in-person retreat to Iona sold out within 24 hours, and it seemed that our themes resonated with many. We recognise the In Between spaces: between who we’ve been and who we’re becoming; between our ancient faith and our sacred story; between comfort and the wild; between certainty and mystery. This is an invitation to pause and consider the sacred liminal spaces in our lives. The retreat will be on Zoom on Sunday 25th February 2-5pm (GMT).

Here’s to sharing the words on our hearts, and here’s to the ones who cheer us on our way.

With love,

Debbie

1. A desk/bedside table.