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Moira Bowen's avatar

Love this. I’ve never heard of Sonder before but am always aware that everyone has a backstory that affects how they act and think. Thank you.

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Dr. Jane R. Shore's avatar

Moira, It’s a word that appears in the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which is really beautiful. The whole dictionary describes these sorts of things there are no words for, and gives the words. ❤️. I just love this one, too.

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Moira Bowen's avatar

Thank you ❤️

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Samantha Dion Baker's avatar

Lovely post! Enjoyed the part about Donovan and his shorter route.Thank you for adding Draw Your Adventures to the book list!

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Dr. Jane R. Shore's avatar

Samatha, I ADORE your illustrations and cannot wait for the new book. I also have grown up in Philadelphia, around artists, drawing all the time… Your books and your message feel both familiar and inspiring. ❤️ (I also wonder if we were ever in the same art spaces!

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Cara Holland's avatar

Sonder - I love this.

I get that feeling when I’m driving on the motorway. Each car contains a story… someone on their way to a loved ones bedside, someone who has just got the job!, someone fleeing a crime…and you’re right, once you open up that expansive view in your head it gets easier to tune in to it again.

So glad to have a word for it.

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Dr. Jane R. Shore's avatar

Cara, oooohhhh. I love this idea of thinking about the stories inside each of the cars. It feels like just a way of thinking about the world. I am glad the concept resonates and that we have a word for it. ❤️

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Jil Mackenzie's avatar

A beautiful piece! ❤️

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Gina Meadows's avatar

Very thought provoking! I discovered you quite by mistake - joining Substack to view an art video! Sonder is a new word for me - off to do some research! Thanks for your insights.

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Dr. Jane R. Shore's avatar

Gina, so happy that you did! Thanks for reading.

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SEMH Education's avatar

Very interesting post! I often do this with my partner. You raise an extremely good point though, to take Sonder one step further and truly listen to these peoples stories.

In England, there's often quite a lot of older men who sit in pubs from the second they open until near closing time, they'll happily talk to anyone. I think it's part loneliness but part intrigue. They've learnt that all the best stories come from the people that are surrounding you every day, you just have to ask.

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Dr. Jane R. Shore's avatar

thank you! I love that you do this with your partner. Do you make up the stories or do you ask about them? And I would not think I’d find older men in bars who will talk to anyone beautiful, but the way you describe it…it is. ❤️

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