"I love the life that I am creating, and I love the people who are in that life; I also love the people who, by my own design are not in that life because at this age, I now know that some people must be loved from afar."
Still loved, but from afar, yes. Thank you for your wisdom and compassion, Nana-Ama, and thank you, dear Jane, for bringing her to us.
How lovely, every word of this interview with Nana-Ama. How grateful I am to you Jane for inviting her to share and to Nana-Ama for these beautiful, wise words on love, kindness, writing, the power of poetry & books and so much more. What a way to start my day. Thank you, both. 💗
This interview really touched me and made me think about my own life, but mostly it was fascinating to hear Nana-ama’s thoughts and perspectives. Thank you!
I’m moved by this: “I love the life that I am creating, and I love the people who are in that life; I also love the people who, by my own design are not in that life because at this age, I now know that some people must be loved from afar.”
And then this: “I know—that love is an energy that manifests, attracts, that conspires to help us fulfill our needs. Love is an energy that connects us to the divinity within ourselves, and the divinity within others. Love is an energy that heals, it is a magnet that pulls us back to the truth of who we are, who we want to be, who we are capable of becoming.”
Beautiful. Beautiful. Thank you both for this interview.
What a sweet thing to say. I’d better make sure to keep up with my pedicures because some days it looks like I’ve been planting root veggies with these toes.
So much to love - I am literally taking notes from some of the wisdom dispensed here. I especially enjoyed the interesting and original selection of questions too. The entire piece is definitely destined to. be re-read a few times more. Cheers, Jane. P.S. *Those earrings* in the first pic too!
Restack is what you do on Notes (Substack’s equivalent of Twitter, but kinder and more helpful) to post a link to your own or someone else’s newsletter (or talk about anything else, share a photo or quote, etc). It’s like shares on Facebook or retweets.
To restack, you click on the circle of arrows icon (next to the comment one) and choose restack to share without adding your thoughts or “restack with a note” to add your comments about it.
And this is the favorite quote I shared when I restacked this post:
“Love is an energy that connects us to the divinity within ourselves, and the divinity within others. Love is an energy that heals, it is a magnet that pulls us back to the truth of who we are, who we want to be, who we are capable of becoming.”
I'm soon to be traveling, but when I return in early June, I would love to...though I will buy you lunch or brunch! Or, if you plan to be in L.A., we might make that work, too.
OMG! I resonate with so much in here. I too was told, countless times, that you can’t live/ survive on love. I’m so glad I’ve never listened to this crap. I see where anger and hate takes people. I rather stick to love :) thank you for another great interview Jane!
Oh, I'm so glad, Kate!! Do you mind adding WILLOW to the long form interview comments?? When I do the count on Monday, I'm afraid I might forget to check here!! Hopefully not, but better to be safe. Thank you!
Jane, I have subscribed for years, ever since reading, and loving, My Salinger Year, but have not consistently read the interviews. What amazing, thoughtful questions! They made me stop and ask them of myself. Still pondering. (and also still figuring out how to add my picture here.)
THANK YOU Nana-Ama and Jane. I'm saving those last three paragraphs. Love is the essence of humanity. THIS gave me pause:
'they saw my humanity, my heart. And their belief in me made me that much more determined to be worthy of it.'
Seeing people through a lens of empathy and empowerment has been at the heart of how I led my teams at work, how I continue to mentor others and why I know inspiring kindness in others, to do the same connects us more deeply.
"I love the life that I am creating, and I love the people who are in that life; I also love the people who, by my own design are not in that life because at this age, I now know that some people must be loved from afar."
Still loved, but from afar, yes. Thank you for your wisdom and compassion, Nana-Ama, and thank you, dear Jane, for bringing her to us.
I really love that quote, as well. So true, so wise. Glad you enjoyed the interview, John!
Loving some people from afar is such a healthy and kind thing to do for yourself.
🙏🏾
I'm so grateful for that perspective. 🙏
How lovely, every word of this interview with Nana-Ama. How grateful I am to you Jane for inviting her to share and to Nana-Ama for these beautiful, wise words on love, kindness, writing, the power of poetry & books and so much more. What a way to start my day. Thank you, both. 💗
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Amy! Yes, I particularly love what Nana-Ama says about kindness! It really touched my heart! ❤️
Thank you, Amy. 🙏🏾
This interview really touched me and made me think about my own life, but mostly it was fascinating to hear Nana-ama’s thoughts and perspectives. Thank you!
I'm so glad, Lolly! 🌸
Thank you. 🙏🏾🥰
I’m moved by this: “I love the life that I am creating, and I love the people who are in that life; I also love the people who, by my own design are not in that life because at this age, I now know that some people must be loved from afar.”
And then this: “I know—that love is an energy that manifests, attracts, that conspires to help us fulfill our needs. Love is an energy that connects us to the divinity within ourselves, and the divinity within others. Love is an energy that heals, it is a magnet that pulls us back to the truth of who we are, who we want to be, who we are capable of becoming.”
Beautiful. Beautiful. Thank you both for this interview.
I agree: Beautiful. Beautiful! Such gorgeous and wise quotes. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview, Monika!
I would like to sit at Nana-Ama's feet for awhile and just listen to her talk. <3
Sounds wonderful! May I join you?
Yes, please. :) The more, the merrier.
What a sweet thing to say. I’d better make sure to keep up with my pedicures because some days it looks like I’ve been planting root veggies with these toes.
I used to be an organic farmer. Nothing wrong with a little dirt on your toes. My mama always said, God made dirt, so dirt don’t hurt. 😊
We’ll have an earthing/grounding session whenever we get together…soak up some minerals through our soles as we chat and nurture our souls. ❤️
So much to love - I am literally taking notes from some of the wisdom dispensed here. I especially enjoyed the interesting and original selection of questions too. The entire piece is definitely destined to. be re-read a few times more. Cheers, Jane. P.S. *Those earrings* in the first pic too!
Yes, I took notes, as well!! Glad you enjoyed it! And Nana-Ama has the most exquisite jewelry!
You can get the earrings at Trufacebygrace.com
Thanks for your kind words. 🙏🏾
Thanks for sharing this xo
This is so beautiful, Jane. I just restacked it with my favorite quote from it.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Wendi! And thank you for sharing!! 🌸
I have no idea what it means to restack but I’ll try to figure it out so I can find out what your favorite quote is.
Restack is what you do on Notes (Substack’s equivalent of Twitter, but kinder and more helpful) to post a link to your own or someone else’s newsletter (or talk about anything else, share a photo or quote, etc). It’s like shares on Facebook or retweets.
To restack, you click on the circle of arrows icon (next to the comment one) and choose restack to share without adding your thoughts or “restack with a note” to add your comments about it.
And this is the favorite quote I shared when I restacked this post:
“Love is an energy that connects us to the divinity within ourselves, and the divinity within others. Love is an energy that heals, it is a magnet that pulls us back to the truth of who we are, who we want to be, who we are capable of becoming.”
Beautiful interview! Just what I needed this Monday morning!
Ooooh, I'm so glad!! 🌸
So heartwarming🤍
I agree! So glad you enjoyed it, Lili!
Thank you. 🥰
Nana-Ama, I am determined that we meet irl asap. Bravo for this!❤️
Glad you enjoyed it, Janet!
Come to the desert. I’ll buy you brunch or lunch
I'm soon to be traveling, but when I return in early June, I would love to...though I will buy you lunch or brunch! Or, if you plan to be in L.A., we might make that work, too.
xo
I’ll be at Yaddo in early June. I am hoping to be home for a while in July. Let’s check in as the time draws near.
Yes! I dream of going to Yaddo.
OMG! I resonate with so much in here. I too was told, countless times, that you can’t live/ survive on love. I’m so glad I’ve never listened to this crap. I see where anger and hate takes people. I rather stick to love :) thank you for another great interview Jane!
Yes to all of this! So glad you enjoyed the interview, Imola!
Isn’t Jane Ratcliffe the best?
What a fantastic, compelling person. Thank you so much for bringing Nana-Ama to us.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Kate! Nana-Ama's memoir is extraordinary if you're interested in reading more!
Oh, I will definitely read it.
🙏🏾
Thanks so much. 🥰
❤️🔥🙏
These were the words that I needed this morning. I can feel her voice in her words -- compassionate and wise.
Oh, I'm so glad, Kate!! Do you mind adding WILLOW to the long form interview comments?? When I do the count on Monday, I'm afraid I might forget to check here!! Hopefully not, but better to be safe. Thank you!
Edited this comment and off to put it in the right place!
Jane, I have subscribed for years, ever since reading, and loving, My Salinger Year, but have not consistently read the interviews. What amazing, thoughtful questions! They made me stop and ask them of myself. Still pondering. (and also still figuring out how to add my picture here.)
Oh, thank you, Sandra!! Your words mean so much! 🌸
THANK YOU Nana-Ama and Jane. I'm saving those last three paragraphs. Love is the essence of humanity. THIS gave me pause:
'they saw my humanity, my heart. And their belief in me made me that much more determined to be worthy of it.'
Seeing people through a lens of empathy and empowerment has been at the heart of how I led my teams at work, how I continue to mentor others and why I know inspiring kindness in others, to do the same connects us more deeply.
How beautiful, Victoria!! So glad you enjoyed the interview!
Thank YOU for the great interview with Nana-Ama, Jane!
🧡🫶❤️
❤️