17 Comments
User's avatar
Phil Swan's avatar

All you can do is your best 😘

Jen Swan's avatar

Yes! Mammy carsons always sound advice!

Katharine Strange's avatar

I'm in a time of uncertainty myself. Wishing you best of luck with the new school year

Jen Swan's avatar

Thank you Katharine. Uncertainty can be quite unsettling. My adult life has been learning not to resist the new spaces we enter but allow them room to work in me. I wonder what that space may hold or unfold for you 💛

TURBO GOTH's avatar

Let go of our attachment to the known. It’s unsettling but that is the only way to find peace. We are all taken care of by something bigger than us anyway ❤️

Utpaladhī's avatar

Wishing you so well with the start of term Jen! I too am a long-term adult learner so this reaaaally resonates. I thought of doing a chaplaincy course at one point too -I’d love to hear more about how it is for you x

Jen Swan's avatar

Thank you Utpaladhī. It is hard and wonderful to own that continued search our place in the world isnt it? One of the key concepts from last years learning was being present above everything else, drawn from the life of Jesus. But a very Buddhist concept too I think?

Utpaladhī's avatar

Yes! Jesus showed presence beautifully didn’t he. May we all find greater presence in this ever-distracting world 💚

TURBO GOTH's avatar

I love the commonality in Jesus & Buddha. Buddha mean Awakened. Jesus was super awakened and is here to tell us that we are too. ❤️ we are all christs and Buddha 👍

Rodrigo Lopez's avatar

Dear Jen,

Your courage and curiosity are admirable.

Brava.

Pamela Leavey's avatar

I'm also a life long learner. I never went to school after high school, unless you count the art school I quit after 1 semester. I started my first college class when I was 56. I finished my B.A. went right into my M.A. and then promptly took time for myself when I finished it all. So glad I found you today!

Jen Swan's avatar

Wow that is so inspiring Pamela. I'm sure that you learned plenty in the 'school of life' before the 'official' education route. Its wonderful to keep an open mind and heart to where the road will take you

Pamela Leavey's avatar

Thanks Jen. I really enjoyed the "official" education route and was able to get credits for quite a bit of life learning. I have a 70 page paper about what I learned in life, that I am reworking into a memoir. My open heart and open mind plan to bring me to Ireland in the new year. I'm really looking forward to that.

Jen Swan's avatar

That's great Pamela. I love the idea of your 'upcycled' paper into a memoir. Have you any particular reason for visiting Ireland? I think it's great obviously!!!

Pamela Leavey's avatar

My paternal great-grands came to Massachusetts in 1865, from the East Galway area. I plan to visit that area, as well as as many historical sites as possible. I studied Irish History when I was working on my B.A. and have done a lot of research on my own as well over several decades including history of the Leavey surname. My instinct is this won't be my only trip over. I also have a historical novel concept that needs a lot of research.

Colette Eaton's avatar

You got this Jen! I took five years to finish my masters. Who’s counting besides us, really? Walk your path, my friend. I’m here cheering you on!

Jen Swan's avatar

Thank you. We are constantly learning, growing and unfolding. It's great to be on that evolving road of life with you!