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The Great Failure
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
9 posts | 4 read | 1 to read
One of America's favorite teachers, Natalie Goldberg has inspired millions to write as a way to develop an intimate relationship with their minds and a greater understanding of the world in which they live. Now, through this honest and wry exploration of her own life, Goldberg puts her teachings to work.
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quote
Sunraven
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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This quote is from a part of the book after the author loses her mentor and teacher to cancer and is still grieving. In a foreign city, she arrives and sees the tree as him (and now this sounds like something someone would write a paper about in high school English) and sits on a bench staring until she almost forgets she‘s supposed to meet her friend.

@jchawkins #nature #trees #treeproject

📷: Nitish Kadam on Unsplash

review
Sunraven
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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Mehso-so

I waffle between pick and so-so on this. It gets understandably mixed reviews; the writing is inconsistent, sometimes artificial, even exhibitionist. On the other hand, some bits were really beautiful and insightful, and it laid to rest a vague discomfort I‘ve had about the author for years — it‘s reassuring that she thinks coming off as flawed is a healthy thing — so it was absolutely not a waste of time. I may even read it again someday. 😁

quote
Sunraven
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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“Zen is about plunging oneself into the hot center of life and death. Nothing hidden, nothing not revealed. When there is a secret, the dharma can‘t grow direct from the root. It has to twist itself looking for sun.”

📷: Faye Cornish on Unsplash

blurb
Leftcoastzen
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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#itwasallyellow #RiotGrams Got busy yesterday, but wanted to post in glorious yellow.Natalie Goldberg also wrote one of the iconic books on writing.
Writing Down the Bones .That song , 👂🐛.

JackieSmith I love Writing Down the Bones! I share her 'rules' with my students the first week of school. They are scared at first & then start to relish the freedom of “going for the jugular“. 5y
Leftcoastzen @JackieSmith It‘s a great book!Anyone who writes should check it out.I have a copy somewhere... 5y
SilversReviews Beautiful!! 5y
43 likes3 comments
blurb
Smartypants
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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I know there are 4 FULL months left to try and meet this goal; alas, I can‘t help but feel like a bit of a failure. What‘s a girl to do, read some picture books? #goals #readingchallenge #highexpectations

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Comic books rule! Try some Saga! Poetry is great too, try Milk and Honey!😉 6y
See All 11 Comments
Smartypants Thank you @Riveted_Reader_Melissa that is a great suggestion! I‘ve loved Rupi since she was on Instagram. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Smartypants Then check out her second book too 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa And I bet you‘d also like Amanda Lovelace. 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa Sometimes a good quick read, of a completely different type, really helps me meet my reading goals, plus it keeps things interesting. 6y
Smartypants @Riveted_Reader_Melissa this is so true! I have this on hold at the library and it should be an easy read too! 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Smartypants I‘ll have to check that out too! 6y
Libby1 No! You‘re not a failure! Quality is better than quantity. My book count is quite high so far this year, but I‘ve read some real clangers and have had to bail on a few. Have you enjoyed what you‘ve read? 6y
Smartypants @Libby1 I learned to let go of some I didn‘t like this year—previously I had pushed through but I‘m no longer going to be miserably reading a book when there are so many good ones out there! I read some life-changing books this year; so that itself is success! 6y
13 likes11 comments
blurb
goodbyefrancie
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg

Feeling like the biggest failure today! My #Hometownswap package is going to be so late! We had an unexpected illness, and unfortunately, death in the family which required some travel, and we just got home late last night, so my package has not gone out. @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I am so very sorry for the delay. I should be able to get it out today and will send it by fastest method possible. Continued in comment...

goodbyefrancie @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego ,if you could send me your email, I would love to send you an Amazon card so you could shop while you wait. I won't open my package until you can open yours. I'm so sorry! 😢 6y
MicrobeMom I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for letting us know. Better late than never. 6y
See All 9 Comments
Schnoebs I hope everything is alright for you and your family. Sending positive thoughts your way ☺️ (edited) 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @goodbyefrancie I'm so sorry for your loss. You do not need to give a GC. I can wait. You do what you need to for yourself & your loved ones, and I'll get it when it get it. Don't be sorry or feel bad at all! 💕 6y
readinginthedark Thank you for the update. My thoughts are with you. 6y
goodbyefrancie @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego According to tracking info, the package was processed through Toronto late last night, so hopefully it will get to you soon! I'm not sure if I can see tracking information beyond that point. Thanks for being so understanding about the delay, I just hate it. :( 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego @goodbyefrancie sounds good, and don't worry about it at all!! 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Your package just arrived!! 6y
42 likes9 comments
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JacintaMCarter
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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4 BOOKS BEHIND SCHEDULE?! I definitely need to get my shit together and get back on my reading game.

Mitch @JacintaMCarter a few slim ones will put you back on track! 6y
LibrarianRyan You will survive I promise. 6y
Tadams4 You go! 6y
71 likes3 comments
review
Chessa
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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Mehso-so

Meh. I've always enjoyed Goldberg's writing, but this one was...fraught. Painful, messy, uncomfortable. Like life? Maybe. But not really such an enjoyable read, nor do I feel like I really learned much through the experience. Hmph. ⭐️⭐️

blurb
Chessa
The Great Failure | Natalie Goldberg
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"Fighting with tofu" needs to become part of my vocabulary. ?