193 Comments
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Raveen's avatar

'For the first time it occurred to me: maybe I don’t have anything to prove.'

Sometimes external perspectives or observations can really bring to the forefront what we subconsciously realize, but don't want to actively confront.

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Sarah Li-Cain's avatar

Oof this line "If I spend the rest of my life on the practice of paying attention, that’s probably enough of a goal." May we all practice paying attention. And what a moving post - sorry to hear about your daughter, but so glad you had those four precious days with her over the holidays to relax and spend time together.

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Sarah 💛

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Justin Ide's avatar

Such a wonderful post with so many things with in it. The four days are magical and remind me of the saying "No one is ever on their death bed and says I should have gone to work more." And I love the photos!

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Justin!

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Bonnie's avatar

I love coming back here and reading …

I’m always inspired and feel so much better.

Mylife seems crazy these days.

I have a bad case of pneumonia and am sleeping all the time .

I have an upstairs neighbor who is making my life so unbearable.

I have joy with my parrot in my life.

I want to move where I can have some tranquility.

But finances keep me stuck.

I do have hope.

I haven’t been doing any art which brings joy to me.

Any suggestions?

Bonnie

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Hi Bonnie, I am so sorry to hear you are sick. It took me a while to answer your comment so maybe you are better now, I hope so. I know your parrot is the light of your life and I wish you could both be in a more peaceful place.

Art is always what brings me peace of mind, even if it's just something simple like doing a little abstract watercolor. It's great to know what brings us joy, and sometimes it's hard to do it. I'm sorry you're going through a hard time. Thank you for reading and sharing with us.

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Christa Justus's avatar

Tina - That stranger/angel gave you a gift and most importantly, you were open to accepting it. Your pictures of the sand and the water and the sky are breathtaking. (If there are at least two of us who love such things, maybe we're not weird at all.) ;) Thank you for sharing your joys and your love and your gifts and your presence. I am grateful for finding you this year. May these December days land gently. See you in January. xo Love, Christa

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Christa! I am grateful to have met you this past year too 😊 So glad you like the pics. 💛

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Cici Sullivan's avatar

Wow. It’s hard to not believe in angels after reading this. What a beautiful blessing.

And what a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your heart and your gifts with us. ❤️❤️❤️

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Cici! 💛

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Catherine's avatar

What a beautiful story to share Thank you

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Catherine

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Teresa Shane's avatar

Your words could not have come at a better time. I feel like I'm drowning in sadness, apathy. It's anniversary issues. Omg, SOMEONE gets it!

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Yes I totally get it. Anniversary issues 💔 Thanks for reading, Teresa

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Susie Middleton's avatar

This gave me goosebumps. I believe in angels and am so glad one visited you and gave you that gift of time with your daughter. I love the sand photos too!

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Susie!

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Keri's avatar

Tina you are so captivating and engaging … everything you share w us endears us to you even further than the last vulnerable piece you put out into the world. Every joy & every sorrow are told w such care, but also the raw vulnerability of letting it go w no pretense about how it will or should be received. It just is, and what it is is beautiful. Thank you for leaving us w this peace to close out such a tumultuous year. You are a gift.

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Keri. Your generous comment is a gift to me and I appreciate having you as a reader. 💛

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Sally McQuillen's avatar

I believe in angels, in being open to listening for their guidance and that your Keek and my Chris are among them. Have a lovely time relishing walks in the sand.✨

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Dear Sally, yes they certainly are. Thanks so much for being here. 💛

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Peggy Bittenbender's avatar

Tina, this was so beautiful, interesting, and meaningful. I do believe angels come in human form. The photos are as captivating as well. I love the sand pattern ones💕

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Peggy! Taking photos is bringing me a lot of happiness lately. ❤️

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Sarah Savage's avatar

What a gift that man gave you just by hearing what you were saying and then saying it back so you could hear it too. And you wrote about it so beautifully!

I also love the sand patterns. Nature never ceases to amaze me.

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Sarah, I'm glad you liked this story 💛

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Michael Thompson's avatar

Oh Teen...this is so beautiful. Again, I feel like with each one of these posts I get to know my sister on such a deep (deeper?) level... Even though I've had and am having a great life I don't feel that I am living each day to the fullest at all...but I am happy so I guess that's really all one can hope for. love, Mike

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you as always for reading! I love you ❤️

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Kate Brook's avatar

I love this story because it’s like the stranger planted the seed of what you now do for us all with your writing - reminding us how to value what is most precious ❤️

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Tina Hedin's avatar

It's true, we never know how our words or actions will spread a seed of an idea. Thank you Kate!

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Amy Makechnie's avatar

So so beautiful. Thank you, Tina. I believe in angels <3

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Tina Hedin's avatar

Thank you Amy 💛

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Amy Makechnie's avatar

Happy New Year <3!

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