Live Virtual Group Session: 12PM EDT September 15th 2023

14 Comments

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this session!

For this session we took a close look at the painting “Self-portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States, 1932” by Frida Kahlo, posted below.

Our prompt was: “Write about inhabiting two worlds.”

More details will be posted on this session, so check back again!

Participants are warmly encouraged to share what you wrote below (“Leave a Reply”), to keep the conversation going here, bearing in mind that the blog of course is a public space where confidentiality is not assured.

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Please join us for our next session Monday September 18th at 6pm EDT, with more times listed on our Live Virtual Group Sessions.

“Self-portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States, 1932” by Frida Kahlo

© Banco de México Diego Rivera Frida Kahlo Museums Trust, Mexico, D.F./Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

14 thoughts on “Live Virtual Group Session: 12PM EDT September 15th 2023”

  2. Michele348's avatar Michele348

    About inhabiting two worlds~~~

    I live in a world of diverse realities
    LOVE—HATE
    WEALTH—POVERTY
    FREEDOM—IMPRISONMENT

    To live in this environment is to be aware of continued conflict… conflicts of the heart and mind.
    Who is right? Who is wrong?
    Who gets to decide and make these judgments?
    Equality for all… is it simply a “catchy” phrase?
    Let’s put our words into action… we have far to go and many are waiting in the shadows.

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    • Andre F Lioji's avatar Andre F Lioji

      Michele, your speaker’s comment about those waiting in the shadows reminds me of the unseen and unheard who find security in the shadows of our borders, spaces that are not so secure or safe. I suspect the actions lie within the dashes separating the poles that headline the piece. Andre

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  3. Andre F. Lijoi, MD's avatar Andre F. Lijoi, MD

    Life constantly has us in more than one world
    Two worlds might be an oversimplification.
    Some days there seem to be so many spaces
    That only surreality makes sense.
    Life dissociated into distinct and disparate pieces requires
    That as the liver of life
    One’s task is to reassemble the moment
    into a whole
    Living in the midst of it in peace [the poet admonishes]
    knowing that the solution lies
    waiting in secret.

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    • Shukrita Sankaran's avatar Shukrita Sankaran

      I love the idea of more than two worlds and how we need to reassemble the moments.

      The secret lies in waiting, is a profound thought, which for me is similar to trusting the process rather than looking for results, of patience , in knowing that the flower cannot blossom overnight, it will in its own time.

      Thank you Andre.

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    • Michele348's avatar Michele348

      Oftentimes one feels that one is being tugged in multiple directions…best to take a step back, pause, and regroup. Helps to clear the mind. Thanks for your piece of wisdom!

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  4. rehavia6's avatar rehavia6

    Write About Inhabiting Two Worlds

    My feet straddle two shores
    I do not belong on either
    Each perceives me as a foreigner in their land
    I struggle not to fall into the chasm dividing my worlds.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Andre F. Lijoi, MD's avatar Andre F. Lijoi, MD

      Lisa,
      The legs supporting the speaker must be strong (a strong foundation) that permits persistence in whatever world is operant each day. Despite the struggle there is that capacity to persist.
      Andre

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  5. JP's avatar JP

    “Inhabiting Two Worlds”
    Jennifer Petruccelli

    Straddling these, I stretch long toned legs Jersey to Queens across the blinding Hudson.
    In daylight, I am mole. Scurrying, running.
    Rampant through the pinched city streets, clutching, bumping, shouldering all burdens.
    Slick in attire, fashionably iconic.

    By night, shell once removed, I am sloth.
    Mother earth, toes in soil; planted firmly feet, earthing, breathing, earth-bound, wise.
    In care of my: tomato vines, plants, babies, elders patient at home.
    Home-fires wafting, grilling.
    Meats, tortillas, corn.

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    • Andre F Lijoi's avatar Andre F Lijoi

      Jennifer, your speaker has habits that allows them to stretch, “long toned legs” and can morph depending on what is demanded at any moment. At the same time, I hear the capacity to slow down and embrace the panoply of the ordinary, yet important aspects of life, toes in soil and invested in caring. So much lovely language, “slick attire, fashionably iconic”, etc. Thanks, Andre

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