Wow! What major news! And I have zero doubt you’ll make a huge impact in this new career course. You have my full support and I thank you for being one of my earliest supporters on Substack, when I was riddled with doubt and hoping someone was out there reading. Always here if you need anything. DMs are always open
Thank you so much Nate. Great to know I can dm you if needed! I’ll always be a supporter of your work here on Substack, I’m glad we crossed digital paths here.
Thank you Carl. I have drafts lined up for the near future, I doubt I'll ever stray too far from Substack--but flows have ebbs have flows have ebbs. Glad to have crossed paths here.
Oh you dear man, thank you for sharing your passion and soul through this beautiful publication. I wish you the best on this journey of yours and I look forward to following all of the amazing things you achieve! Your heart baring sharing is one of a kind and so deeply cherished and appreciated.
Thank you Scot! Rock & Hawk will never be purely idle; as my life presents new challenges I’ll write when I can about how the birds still provide recalibration and centering.
Outstanding! If not this, then something better. Congratulations. When we follow our passions and allow ourselves to go with the flow, incredible things occur.
You will make an awesome attorney. The field of law deserves someone with a heart as deep as yours, James.
I had so many careers before I was 40, then at 40, I went back to university and studied (while also working 30 hours per week) to obtain my MA in Clinical Psych, following that in this state, I had to do 4000 hours of supervised counseling (I was not paid for these sessions, and I had to pay my supervisor). It was intense. Then I sat for the oral and written boards, and PASSED!
I understand the elation of going back to school. Yay! You can accomplish this! It doesn’t matter when you begin nor when you graduate. I have told quite a few people I know that No One has ever asked me how old I was when I began my psychotherapy practice 🤭
I so love your photography. And am glad to know you will continue it on some level.
Even if you don’t have time to share all the educational wisdom you do, please remember that your photographs will bring joy.
On another thought , (since I saw NAS post about this and immediately thought of you)
Have you ever submitted photos to the National Audubon Society? They are running their annual contest and I’m fairly sure there is a cash prize. I bet you could win.. just sayin..
Thank you Teyani. There really is no reason not to try new paths at any point in life. Better to make the right uncomfortable changes than to make no changes just to stay comfortable. You were characteristically dauntless in beginning your psychotherapy practice.
Birds, writing and photography will be forces to help me recalibrate—aka this newsletter, which again will slow but not die out entirely. I’ve never submitted photos to national Audubon! Just mass Audubon and local conservation organizations but I’ll give NAS a go! Thank you.
This is beautiful, James. I appreciate so much how openly you share your thoughts and experiences, and this new venture sounds really exciting! Also, I doubt you’ll be the oldest student in your law school class, and your age and life experience will absolutely be an asset.
Thank you so much Kelly. I do think being older will help more than hurt, and law is an option for people whenever it is the right time. Your artwork and writing at your publication will provide calmness when needed!
That is an interesting path to law school James. I look forward to reading about your path as well as updates on birding and Nature in general. Thank you for sharing (and the mention of the seed tax) and best wishes on your journey.
Thank you for your comment Lillian. I am so sorry to hear about your TBI, but very glad to hear you are finding people who help. It’s too much to deal with alone. If you ever need to talk about your TBI to someone who also has one, I’m here to listen. I’m happy to give you my email over substack messages.
Thank you so much for sharing not only your massive challenges but also your passions. I now understand your question to me on my note, as to whether it is legal to keep a feather. The attorney coming out in you? I hope my answer was good enough!! I wish you all the best, but please don’t stop birdwatching and sharing your stories. I’ve only just subscribed!!
Hi James, I've only just discovered your Substack and wanted to say that your story here shows immense courage and tenacity. I find it inspiring. I wish you all the luck in the world with your new endeavour and look forward to reading more of your nature posts in the future.
This is amazing James. It makes me happy to hear that regardless of what has happened in life, you are still making the most out of it and doing what YOU want to do. I wish you all the luck in Law School, you are going to do great!
Just kidding, of course, but I only just recently discovered your newsletter, and will miss your reflections. Best of luck in your new career. You're living the advice of the philosopher Yogi Berra: When you come to a fork in the road, take it!
James, I love hearing about what you are stepping into! It's so epic to hear about how you're shifting directions in your life. Through your writing I sense the immense dedication, care, and intention you pour into your experiencing of life, and it is a beautiful thing to see that intention expand and evolve into something that is meaningful to you, and to others. Wishing for you that this new path is full of satisfaction and fulfillment every step of the way.
Congratulations. What an excellent choice. You'll be making a difference in so many lives. I do believe you will one day look back at 31 and know that you were still so young : )
Wow! What major news! And I have zero doubt you’ll make a huge impact in this new career course. You have my full support and I thank you for being one of my earliest supporters on Substack, when I was riddled with doubt and hoping someone was out there reading. Always here if you need anything. DMs are always open
Thank you so much Nate. Great to know I can dm you if needed! I’ll always be a supporter of your work here on Substack, I’m glad we crossed digital paths here.
Congrats on the new course in life. I’ll be here and ready to read when you do publish. Good luck!
Thank you Carl. I have drafts lined up for the near future, I doubt I'll ever stray too far from Substack--but flows have ebbs have flows have ebbs. Glad to have crossed paths here.
Likewise. We’ll keep in touch, I’m sure.
Oh you dear man, thank you for sharing your passion and soul through this beautiful publication. I wish you the best on this journey of yours and I look forward to following all of the amazing things you achieve! Your heart baring sharing is one of a kind and so deeply cherished and appreciated.
Thank you Scot! Rock & Hawk will never be purely idle; as my life presents new challenges I’ll write when I can about how the birds still provide recalibration and centering.
Outstanding! If not this, then something better. Congratulations. When we follow our passions and allow ourselves to go with the flow, incredible things occur.
Thank you and you are correct—we can’t allow good things into our lives if we aren’t open to them
Wow! Awesome! Fantabulous❣️
You will make an awesome attorney. The field of law deserves someone with a heart as deep as yours, James.
I had so many careers before I was 40, then at 40, I went back to university and studied (while also working 30 hours per week) to obtain my MA in Clinical Psych, following that in this state, I had to do 4000 hours of supervised counseling (I was not paid for these sessions, and I had to pay my supervisor). It was intense. Then I sat for the oral and written boards, and PASSED!
I understand the elation of going back to school. Yay! You can accomplish this! It doesn’t matter when you begin nor when you graduate. I have told quite a few people I know that No One has ever asked me how old I was when I began my psychotherapy practice 🤭
I so love your photography. And am glad to know you will continue it on some level.
Even if you don’t have time to share all the educational wisdom you do, please remember that your photographs will bring joy.
On another thought , (since I saw NAS post about this and immediately thought of you)
Have you ever submitted photos to the National Audubon Society? They are running their annual contest and I’m fairly sure there is a cash prize. I bet you could win.. just sayin..
Thank you Teyani. There really is no reason not to try new paths at any point in life. Better to make the right uncomfortable changes than to make no changes just to stay comfortable. You were characteristically dauntless in beginning your psychotherapy practice.
Birds, writing and photography will be forces to help me recalibrate—aka this newsletter, which again will slow but not die out entirely. I’ve never submitted photos to national Audubon! Just mass Audubon and local conservation organizations but I’ll give NAS a go! Thank you.
Awesome.
This is beautiful, James. I appreciate so much how openly you share your thoughts and experiences, and this new venture sounds really exciting! Also, I doubt you’ll be the oldest student in your law school class, and your age and life experience will absolutely be an asset.
Thank you so much Kelly. I do think being older will help more than hurt, and law is an option for people whenever it is the right time. Your artwork and writing at your publication will provide calmness when needed!
That is an interesting path to law school James. I look forward to reading about your path as well as updates on birding and Nature in general. Thank you for sharing (and the mention of the seed tax) and best wishes on your journey.
Thank you Neil. Happy to mention the seed tax, and I’ll still write about how birds play a role in my life going forward.
I was hit by a car in 2019 and in a coma for 2 months. Had to relearn how to do everything. So I really relate to this
Thank you for sharing
I still struggle with my TBI But am slowly finding people that help me.
Thank you for your comment Lillian. I am so sorry to hear about your TBI, but very glad to hear you are finding people who help. It’s too much to deal with alone. If you ever need to talk about your TBI to someone who also has one, I’m here to listen. I’m happy to give you my email over substack messages.
Thank you so much for sharing not only your massive challenges but also your passions. I now understand your question to me on my note, as to whether it is legal to keep a feather. The attorney coming out in you? I hope my answer was good enough!! I wish you all the best, but please don’t stop birdwatching and sharing your stories. I’ve only just subscribed!!
Thank you Cheryl. Do not worry about me stopping here! I’ll always watch and write about birds, the pace of my doing so is what’s going to change.
Hi James, I've only just discovered your Substack and wanted to say that your story here shows immense courage and tenacity. I find it inspiring. I wish you all the luck in the world with your new endeavour and look forward to reading more of your nature posts in the future.
Melissa 🌿
Thank you Melissa, I look forward to writing more for you in the future!
This is amazing James. It makes me happy to hear that regardless of what has happened in life, you are still making the most out of it and doing what YOU want to do. I wish you all the luck in Law School, you are going to do great!
Thank you so much, Ashton!
Was it something I said... ?
Just kidding, of course, but I only just recently discovered your newsletter, and will miss your reflections. Best of luck in your new career. You're living the advice of the philosopher Yogi Berra: When you come to a fork in the road, take it!
I like that quote—hadn’t heard it before! Thank you, l’ll still write when I can and will definitely read your work
Wow, this is exciting! All the best for this endeavor!
James, I love hearing about what you are stepping into! It's so epic to hear about how you're shifting directions in your life. Through your writing I sense the immense dedication, care, and intention you pour into your experiencing of life, and it is a beautiful thing to see that intention expand and evolve into something that is meaningful to you, and to others. Wishing for you that this new path is full of satisfaction and fulfillment every step of the way.
Thank you so much Emma!
Congratulations. What an excellent choice. You'll be making a difference in so many lives. I do believe you will one day look back at 31 and know that you were still so young : )
Thank you Amanda! I just feel old—my last three years have just felt like fifteen
Congratulations on the new endeavor, James. Onward!
Thank you Jesse!