Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Elizabeth: Hello and welcome to the Intuitive Writing Podcast, a production of the Intuitive Writing Project, a writing-based empowerment program for girls and gender-expansive youth. We are dedicated to giving young writers a safe, encouraging, non-critical, unconditionally supportive space to write their story, speak their truth, and assert their voice, both as writers and as leaders.
For a bit of background, my name is Elizabeth and I created this program eleven years ago because it's what I wanted and needed when I was young, a supportive place to be truly seen and heard. That's why we use the Amherst Writing method, a radically nurturing and empowering writing methodology, I wish everyone learned in grade school. You can read more about the Amherst Method on their website and in Pat Schneider's groundbreaking book, Writing Alone and With Others. But the basic principles and the ones that guide all of our classes are number one: everyone is a writer with important stories to tell. Number two: everyone has their own unique voice, a voice that needs to be heard. And number three: our voice will grow stronger and clearer the more it is supported and positively affirmed.
In our classes, everyone writes together, everyone shares their writing, and then everyone takes turns giving each other grounded, positive feedback. By that I mean we repeat back and lift up the words, lines, phrases, or concepts that really resonated for us since we can't violate the sanctity of our classes by recording what goes on there. These 1:1 or 1:3 people conversations are designed to provide a little glimpse, a microcosm of what happens in the classroom. You can also read about our and read our students words as they were published on our blog, the Intuitive Voice, with the link below.
If you enjoy listening to one young reader, read their words and talk about it. Imagine how powerful it is when six young writers are reading their words and giving each other positive, affirming feedback. It's pretty life changing, and there is a lot more I could say about it, but I'll let these young writers speak for themselves.
On behalf of all the writers at the Intuitive Writing Project, I want to thank you for supporting their voices, for being present and really listening to the wisdom, insight, and brilliance of young people.
[00:02:42] Elizabeth: Today, I'm so honored and excited to be interviewing one of our oldest writers. Not chronologically oldest, but one of the writers who's been writing with the longest. The lovely, brilliant and amazing Zara Quiter, who is going to be reading an incredible piece today. You're going to learn a lot about her and hear her wisdom and brilliance. Zara, I would love it if you would introduce yourself to the audience, tell us Your name, your age, your pronouns. Then I would also love to know your, when you first started writing with the Intuitive Writing Project. Well, I know, but let our audience know when you first started writing with us. And a memory, a specific memory you have of writing with us from long ago.
[00:03:39] Zara: Okay. My name is Zara. I am 13. I'm in eighth grade. I use she, her pronouns. I started writing with the Intuitive Writing Project in third grade when I was eight, a few months before the pandemic started. And a memory I have of writing with the Intuitive Writing Project is.. I remember when in my little group, my mom did an after school program. And I remember, like, everyone would just laugh at each other's stories, like, and just like, enjoy the writing together. And we were third graders. Like, this wasn't like amazing literature, but we all had a fun time, like, creating stories with each other.
And we moved on to Zoom.Like, everyone had their mics on and it was so chaotic, but everyone was still having a good time because, like, we just got to share, like, our creations together.
[00:04:39] Elizabeth: That's beautiful. This is why I said you're one of our oldest writers because you started when you were eight. I actually don't have any other students that started that young. Usually people start with me, at least in high school. And just to note to our audience, Zara is the child of one of our co founding teachers and leaders, Melissa kouider, who taught with us for many years and brought Zara along. You got to be sort of a teaching assistant starting at age 8, and then you got to be in your own classes. And I have had the privilege of writing with Zara, doing some one on one sessions, especially during the pandemic. And I can vouch for the fact that Zara is a prolific and very advanced writer. When you were eight, you were writing better than most adults. That was a long time ago. You've only. Your powers have only increased with time, but already, like right out of the gate, age 8. So advanced listeners are going to understand exactly what I'm saying when you read your piece today, because it's exceptional.
I'm going to have you read the most recent piece which you wrote last week, if I Should have a Daughter, which as you said, was inspired by Sarah Kay's poem, which she recited in her TED Talk of the same name, if I Should have a Daughter. But this is told, this is a retelling of it inspired by Sarah Kay, but totally authentic to this writer. What we're going to do is Zara is going to read it and Then I'm going to give Amherst writing feedback what we do in our classes. Of course it's going to be a lot of feedback from me because I'm the only one here. But normally in class it would be a little bit from me and then a little bit from every single person in the class. It's so powerful to have everyone giving feedback, which is what happened when you read this in class. Everybody fell over themselves. It was like agog at this piece. So whenever you're ready, you can read.
[00:06:48] Zara: If I should have a daughter, I would take her skipping through the trees, racing through the daisies, just to hear her laugh. I’d take her every year until she was sick of me just to catch a glance of her being young once again. I would pack her bagels and cream cheese, just so we could have a picnic in the fields, so she could stare at the sky and watch the clouds go by.
I’d tuck her in each and every night and sit by her side, waiting for her to sleep, and hope she dreams good dreams. Hope she dreams big dreams. I’d hum tunes or sit in silence, if only I knew she was resting. If only I knew she was able to slip into a world of make-believe each night.
I’d take my darling girl to her friend’s house and waste my time watching her play princesses, or pirates, scientists or queens. And I would just stare in awe at how she sets herself free from the limitations of our world, climbing high, higher than I’ve ever reached.
I’d wipe her tears away and save them in a jar, so she can look back at all she’s overcome. So she knows she’s strong. And as she cries, I will cry, but I will learn to let her be not okay. Because one day I’ll accept that the world isn’t made for her, and those tears will be the fuel for all the energy it takes when she learns she’s ready to fight.
And before that day, and on that day, and every day after that, I will work until the skin is falling from my hands, until the natural forces gnaw on my eyes, just so the hard work is a little easier for her. Because sheltering isn’t the answer, and neither is throwing her out into the winds.
No, I must teach her how to fly. How to stretch her wings and soar against the gusts that may hit her, how to dodge the tornadoes in our path. How to push through the storms to find clear skies. But most importantly, I want to teach her how to sing in the rain, how to dance in the drought, and how to laugh in the hurricanes, just as she did in the daisy fields, when she was nothing but a little girl in a very big world.
I know she can do all these things. And I know it will be hard. And I know I will always be a net in the background, ready to catch her in case her wings disappear, and prepared to help her find them again. That is what I know, that is all I know I can be. And yet, I believe in her.
Like someone’s God, I believe she can light a path in suffocating darkness. She can fill the seas and push mountains out of the Earth. And on a smaller scale, I believe she can captivate a crowd, or inspire her peers, or exist in the double-standards placed on her shoulders.
Yes, I believe.
Because if I don’t, what is she? Then there is no future; no meadows or nightmares or breakups or wars she must wage against society that I get to see. If I have no hope for my daughter, then how is there a me? How does each woman decide whether or not she will bring another pillar of light into the world, if she even gets a choice?
Because that, that is who we strive to be. The bravest. The smartest. The kindest. And yet, despite that, insignificant. So small just so our children can be braver, and smarter, and kinder. If I should have a daughter, I hope she doesn’t become all that I am. I hope she only becomes my heart, so that my mind can flourish and my muscles can flex, and my feet can run, and my hands can write, and I can still stand there, ready to embrace her. And give her the biggest hug that is still specifically, iconically, uniquely me.
[00:10:15] Elizabeth: That is magnificent. I know. When you first read it in class, I cried. I think I cried the second time again when I read it. The written version when we published it on our blog. And listeners can see the words to this piece underneath the blog, there's a link to this piece on our blog. The intuitive with this is so wise and profound. And has the listeners heard this writer is 13. It feels like the narrator is 40, 43, like 30 years older than the actual writer. This or maybe 143. This writer has the wisdom of an ancient soul. Speaking of course. This is what's so meta about it and so amazing. The writer who is in real life 13 is speaking as her future self, looking at her daughter, who in theory it feels like the daughter in this piece could be the same age as the writer is currently, which is so cosmic. And I don't know anybody else who can think like this writer. I Want to talk about specific lines that jumped out to me. And then I want to ask the writer questions about their creative process.
First of all, it feels like, because I happen to know this writer, that the daughter the writer is describing as their future self is very similar to the writer.
There's some. It feels like the writer has learned from their own mother how to be an amazing mother. So there's definitely a sense that the writer has been well mothered, which is how she knows how to be a magnificent support to her future daughter self. There's also something about this that is very existential because you could think of it as. When we're imagining our future self, by the way, our unconscious does not know the difference between past and future, real or unreal. So in some ways they say this about dreams. Everyone in the dream is you. And I almost feel like in this story, everyone in the story is the writer. The writer is both the mother and the daughter. Okay, so let's. It's amazing. This is the kind of stuff that I'm thinking about when I'm reading this piece because it's so incredible, so wise, so beautiful. Okay. It's. I mean, every line. I could call out every line. But we'll pick a few high points. I love. At the very beginning, “I would take her skipping through the trees, racing through the daisies, just to hear her laugh.” Oh, my God.
There are not many parents out there who could articulate this sentiment. And also the miracle and innocence of a daughter's laughter and the power of it and making experiences so it can be heard. Incredible. I love in the next paragraph, “I tuck her in every night and every night sit by her side, waiting for her to sleep and hope she dreams good dreams.” Oh, my God, that's so comforting. I want somebody to sit beside me and hope that I dream good dreams. That's so deeply nurturing. I love in the next paragraph, “watching my darling girl play.” I love the description of “princesses or pirates, scientists or queens, where she sets herself free from the limitations of our world.”
And this is interesting. “Climbing high. Higher than I've ever reached.” So what's interesting about this, again is the writer is very remarkable and exceptional and climbs very high. So, like, it's so. It's just the self in each character is amazing. I love the compassion and empathy of, “I'd wipe her tears away and save them in a jar so she can look back at all she's overcome.” My God. Award for the best mother of the year right here like that is. I don't know anyone who's ever done that. That is the most. Not only nurturing but empowering because it's the focus on her strength and her overcoming and that there's very much of this piece and acknowledgement that life is painful and it is difficult and this girl can handle it and she will overcome it and she will be stronger because of it. That is a very advanced awareness that honestly, many adults do not have this level of awareness. It's incredible. I love about the description of the writer, the narrator, “working until the skin is falling from my hands, until the natural forces gnaw on my eyes, just so the hard work is a little easier for her.” I mean that is the, the goal of all human life, I think, is to make it easier for the next generation so the next generation could go further. But again, exceptional insight from a 13-year-old writer. Oh, this line, “I must teach her how to fly. But it's not just like flying. Fun times. Hahaha. It's overcoming the tornadoes in her path. It's singing in the rain, dancing in the drought, laughing in the hurricanes. It's overcoming the obstacles that will inevitably be thrown in her path.” I love how the writer says, “I know she can do all these things and I know it will be hard. And I know I will always be a net in the background, ready to catch her in case her wings disappear and prepare to help her find them again.” Pure unconditional love and empowerment. So incredible. I love the line, “I believe she can light a path in suffocating darkness.” Oh my God. Such an awareness of that darkness and that you can light a light within it. “She can fill the seas and push mountains out of the earth.” Oh my goodness, that's so incredible. Um, and then the writer, the readers can see how this is written. The next paragraph is just one line. It's “Yes, I believe.” That is so powerful to follow these exquisite lines of poetry, to just have the simplicity of “Yes, I believe.” And then the idea that “if I don't believe, what is there? What is she? What am I?” It's so much about having faith in love and goodness that prevails over darkness and adversity. “How does each woman decide whether or not she will bring another pillar of light into the world if she even gets a choice?” I mean, such an acknowledgment of, of the darkness of the world. And then the last paragraph is just non-stop mic drop, mic drop. “Because that, that is who we strive to be. The bravest, the smartest, the kindest and yet, despite that insignificant, so small. Just our children, just so our children can be braver and smarter and kinder.” Oh, my God. And then the last line.
“I hope she only becomes my heart so that my mind can flourish and my muscles can flex and my feet can run and my hands can write, and I can still stand there, ready to embrace her and give her the biggest hug. That is still specifically, iconically me.” And that is the writer. This is something that most adults forget in adulthood is we tend to lose ourselves. I love that that the narrator, who is the mother, who is the future self of the writer, is recognizing the importance of her identity and her selfhood and loving this young, beautiful daughter unconditionally while also loving herself.
That is amazing. Okay, I also want to say, before I ask you any questions about it, that this piece was written In, I'd say, 35 minutes. I think it was one of those pieces, like, we wrote. We usually write for 30 minutes. And then I'm like, does anyone need more time? And I think you might have gone a couple more minutes, but no more than 35 minutes.
It's so amazing. This is the kind of writing Zara does all the time. Obviously, different topics, different themes, but the listeners can understand what I mean when I say that they are exceptional, and they've been like this since they were eight years old. Okay, so let's talk about your piece, the creative process. Tell me a little bit, Zara, about when you saw Sarah K's TED Talk and she recited her poem.
Was did you start then having an idea for this poem? When did. Where did this poem start for you?
[00:19:41] Zara: So I heard in class, and I just thought it was really beautiful and really inspiring. So there, like, all day lines were popping into my head, and I was like, oh, that line is very… I would write that later. So I was kind of, like, compiling a list of lines that I wanted to, like, thread together. And then when writing group happened, like, we did this really cool prompt, and I was like, oh, my gosh, I love this prompt. It's so fun. Okay, I'm gonna go write this. And I feel like when I was writing it, something I don't normally do is, like, I would read the line I just read out loud to myself, and then I feel like the next line would come to me. Normally, I'm just able to write, but for this piece, like, I had to, like, read out loud to, like, go with the flow of the words.
[00:20:37] Elizabeth: Yeah, that is so interesting. There's so much in what you shared that I Just want to take a part for a moment. First of all, that a line can inspire so much. I feel the same. I feel like a. A line from a poem, a line from a song. A single line can just turn, like, activate something in your brain. It truly feels like that idea that words are spells and they cast a spell, and it sounds like that's what happened when you heard this poem. It cast a spell, and you just started these lines. I just. If we could imagine, like, sparkles in your brain going off as you were coming, then the idea that you needed to say a line out loud, and that would sort of create this flow and rhythm of what came next, which is totally what poetry is. It's words with a musicality, with a rhythm to it.
I do feel like this is a narrative poem, even though it's written as a story. And, of course, because it has that rhythm, it feels. It has like a.
And you. You felt it when you were writing it, which is so interesting. Do you normally. Is this something that often happens? Like, you get inspired by a line, or was it just this poem?
[00:21:58] Zara: Sometimes, I don't know. There will be times where I'll hear something or read something, and I'll just store it in my mind for a little while or, like, during the day, I'll, like, notice something like. Like a physical thing, and that will inspire it. But I. I don't think I've ever felt, like, the strong, like, flash of inspiration that I did when I heard the title of Sarah Kay's poem. And normally when I get inspiration for poetry, I have 30 minutes tops, and then I, like, run out. It's like you're drinking water, and then the water bottle is just empty. So I was honestly surprised that. Able to stay with me throughout the day. But I think that, like, the inspiration got stronger in a way.
[00:22:46] Elizabeth: Wow, that is really interesting. And I know exactly what you're talking about. There's, like, capital I inspiration that's like. It grows with time, and then there's, like, little eye inspiration that, like. It's like a bubble pops, and it's gone. Yeah, that's. I hope that we can send this podcast and this piece of writing to Sarah Kay, because I think she will be honored to have inspired this creativity. I wanted to ask you about some of the themes, the empowerment that this narrator wants to instill in their daughter. And I feel like the writer exudes this empowerment in real life. Do you, as a writer, feel as empowered as the daughter in the story or some. Maybe slightly.
[00:23:39] Zara: I think there'll be times in my life where I do, like, when I'm at my summer camp or when I feel, like, proud of myself for doing something. I, like, feel proud, obviously, and feel empowered and feel strong. And it's like a really lovely feeling because when you feel strong in yourself, like, it shows in everything else in your life. Like. Yeah, it's. Yeah.
[00:24:06] Elizabeth: Is it possible that this piece, on some level, again, like a dream, where all the characters in the dream were all the characters in the story. Is it possible this piece could also be like a love letter to oneself? Like, this is what I wish for myself and for. And maybe all girls. It's like the daughter in the story represents the wish for all girls to be free and, and joyful and strong and believe in themselves.
[00:24:38] Zara: Yeah. I feel like this piece is, like, it's for a lot of things.Like, it's for me and then it's also for like, my mom and like, like every, like, women and every girl who's like, grown up or like, is going to grow up. Grow up or is growing up. Yeah, that's, I think, a reoccurring theme in my writing right now. Like, growing up.
It's like, I think I, like, there's two big things, like, one I don't want to forget, like, being a kid and just not caring about everything that's happening. But also, like, being an adult comes with like, more freedom and more responsibility, which is something I'm really excited to have. So, like, yeah, it's. It's kind of like I want to instill, install, instill perfect. I want to instill these values in my daughter and in everyone I meet and stuff.
[00:25:42] Elizabeth: Yeah. It just occurred to me. That's right. I love. That's how you, how you said that. And it's so true that you are exploring a lot in your writing about the growing up process. Coming of age, as they say. And you know, so many genres, Coming of age, novel, coming of age, movie. And it's such a profound time of one's life. And this piece is so interesting because being a teenager, especially 13. Thirteen is a magical and difficult age. Thirteen is like, you are on this perfect access point between childhood and adulthood. You, like, if you go four years in one direction, you're a kid again, and if you go four years in the other direction, you're a young adult. Like, you're like, right in between two worlds. So it occurs to me that it makes so much sense that the writer would write about an adult and a child because you're both because you're halfway between childhood and adulthood. You have the wisdom of both. You still have the magic of your kid self, who wrote eloquently, I might add, about dragons and believed it with all her heart and honestly made me believe it. And then adulthood, like becoming a powerful, responsible leader of your community. That's amazing to be between both of those things.
[00:27:09] Zara: Yeah, I think that makes a lot of sense. Ever since I had my Bat Mitzvah in the. In August, I definitely felt some sort of like, oh, like, like awakening of like, becoming an adult. Which is why I think I started writing about becoming an adult more after that. Yeah, I think being directly in between childhood and like, young adulthood is like, what's so confusing? Because, like, in middle school no one ever knows whether they're supposed to like, be a, like an adult and like be responsible or just mess around. And also, like, modern society has kind of like, shaped this like, mold of what a teenage girl should be. And it's like no one actually enjoys it. I think, like, people can pretend to enjoy like, waking up at like 6:30 and like getting ready and putting on their makeup and doing their hair, but like, deep inside, if there was no if, no one expected them to do that and they could literally wear PJs and like, not to their hair and it could be a frizzy mess and that was the norm, they would do that because it's just what society like, dictates, which is really annoying.
So I think that's what makes it so complicated. There's like these three different places you can jump. You can jump to being a kid, you can jump to being this like, teenager or, or you can jump to being an adult and like, looking to high school, my whole grade is like, kind of like being a kid less, I think, right now. And thinking about what classes they want to take and like all that type of stuff, that's like their future and stuff. And it's stressful.
[00:28:59] Elizabeth: Yeah, that’s it. You're right. It's three choices. You can be a teen, you can be a child, you can be an adult. But being a teen, honestly, that seems like the hardest one of all. I mean, I think everyone. Nobody said nobody enjoys it. Teenage life is the absolute hardest time of life. And you're in it. You're right smack dab in the center of it. So I feel like you are an expert of now of being a teenager, and you will continue to be an expert for the next few years, because no adults. My generation cannot begin to fathom what it's like for your generation. Because the world was so different then. What you're writing about is really important. And the process of writing is really important. That's going to bring me to my next question. Do you feel like, even though you had the ideas, I love that they were percolating in your head. But the process of writing, do you feel like it? Like, is it cathartic or releases something or, like, relaxes something, unclenches something in you? How does it feel? Feel when you're writing?
[00:30:09] Zara: I feel like, all of the above. Like, I think before I write, there's some, like, sort of, like, giddy anticipation. Like, I know I have to write. Like, I'm like, just, like, waiting for it. And it's, like, also, like, kind of daunting to just see, like, white and be like, okay, let's make thoughts into my mind. Like, something I can share with the world and like or myself, or like, my little writing group. And then when you are actually writing, I feel like I don't. Like, sometimes, like, I'm not fully in it and I'm, like, thinking about other things. But when I'm, like, fully into writing, like, it's, like, silent all around me. And, like, sometimes I don't have my camera on so you can't see me. But when you're like, okay, guys, like, I will jump up from my seat. I'll be like, I forgot that there's other people.
Yeah, I'll totally forget people around me because I'm just in it. Like, it's like. Like I'm, like, combing through my head. And, like, there's something, like, there's like, a strand of hair that's loose, and you gotta pull it out and, like, braid it or something.
And then, like, that's just kind of how I think about it. Like, there's something in my mind that's, like, out of place. Like a puzzle piece that's out of place. And I have to figure out, like, what am I thinking? What do I need to process to, like, be at peace? And then after I write, after I share, like, it's kind of like exercising. Like, when I exercise, I sleep better because I've, like, exerted, you know, like, once I've written what I need to write, like, I can sleep, I can relax. I can just, like, settle down.
[00:31:53] Elizabeth: That is the most incredible description of the catharsis of writing I've ever heard. I love that. So, actually, I wanted to talk, to ask you a question about that blank page. Because that is the single greatest obstacle for virtually everyone.
The reason a lot of people don't want to take a writing class, the reason people, quote, hate writing, the reason people are afraid to write is that blank page. Everyone's afraid that they won't have anything to put on it. So what advice would you give to people? Because you. You already said, like, even you, who is. Has so many ideas and you have such a clear access to your intuition and your creativity. Even you is daunted by the blank page. How do you get over that fear? What advice would you give to a writer who is, you know, stuck? How do you get unstuck? I always would say I would give.
[00:32:52] Zara: The same advice my mom has been giving me and all of her students for years. I just. When I'm stuck, I just write, “I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write. I don't know what to write.” over and over again. And once your mind becomes so numb that you literally, like, feel like you cannot think anything, something's gonna pop into your head and you're gonna write that down. And then everything, like, for me, everything, like, forms after that. Or if you have an idea, but it doesn't feel like the beginning, just start in the middle, you know? Like, there have been times where I've been like, oh, I have this idea and I'm going to write it down and then write from that, and then I'll go back and, like, it's like I'm an introducing, like, what I've already written.
[00:33:39] Elizabeth: That's incredible. That is great advice. I love. Yeah. It's the reason I think that works so well. Your mom and I have talked about this a lot. Just acknowledging I don't know what to write about and just repeat that or write about not knowing what to write about is that cleans the slate. And it kind of gets you out of your head because you kind of go on, like, automatic. And then it's trusting the ideas. We do not know where ideas come from. And it's getting out of the way so it can come through. I think that's what you're saying, that you just, like, you trust that it's in there, and then you just do something mindless, like writing. I don't know what to write until you're not trying. And then it flows out of you. Would you say that's true? It's like something comes through somehow.
[00:34:28] Zara: Yeah. It's almost like everyone has this little, like, pile of creativity. And some people, like, there's Wood over it or something, like something blocking it. And like, I feel like when you're a writer like that, like, you just have to be able to find your key to open up the lock and take out some inspiration. Like, I feel like that's the most important thing. And every now and then you'll be like, you know, you misplace your phone, you misplaced your car keys, your wallet, yada, yada. And then you're like, here it is. Like, it's just like you have to go looking for the key or then. Or like, you'll just find it in your hand. Sometimes you like, where's my phone? And it's in your hand. And then, like, I feel like it’s like, if you're looking for your phone, it's always somewhere obvious. Or sometimes it's not. Sometimes it's like, crazy. But when you'll find it, like, it's like it's back, you know? And then I feel like every person who thinks that they don't have inspiration like, they do, they just haven't, like, found how to unlock it.
[00:35:29] Elizabeth: That is so perfectly said. I don't even want to add to it. Perfectly said. Everyone can hear your wisdom now. The last question, and we'll end on this, is, what advice would you give to your younger self of any age? I know you are still a young person, but maybe a couple years back, knowing what you know now and kind of in the spirit of that, like, the way the writer slash narrator was so empowering in their writing. And you obviously have this wisdom. So. Yeah, what wisdom would you give your younger self?
[00:36:05] Zara: So I would tell my third grade self to just relax a little bit and kind of not worry about getting better at something or, like, being better. And just even like, I was like, take math for an example. I was good at math. I was. It was like, I was good at it. But I feel like I was always trying to, like, get better at math. Like, there's like, this, like, next step I hadn't unlocked. But then, like, I didn't take the time to, like, just enjoy being where I was for, like, a minute. Like, it's always good to improve. I love improving. Like, take rock climbing for an example. Like, I love getting a climb that's hard, but also, like, if I'm working on something that's like, an easier thing, it's still fun. Like, there's nothing wrong with doing something easier just because it's fun.
[00:37:04] Elizabeth: Like, yeah, that is such great advice. Also to everyone of every age.I think you will always be striving because you are a very focused, advanced soul. So you're always going to be challenging yourself. And you also get to relax and enjoy the moment, which is what you're doing. Yeah, you're so wise, Zara. Honestly, listeners can hear how sophisticated this writer is. I could talk to them for literally a hundred hours and this would be a. That would be an incredible 100-hour podcast. Can you imagine?
[00:37:44] Zara: I mean, when I was at my summer camp, if you get sick, you got to stay in the health center and it's boring. It is. Like, you know that you could be with your cabin, like, having so much fun, and you're stuck in this, like, little area full of other sick kids. And yeah, you have your own room and there are board games and like, occasionally other people will stop by and say hi to you. But, like, if I had to be stuck in that health center with anyone, I'd probably be stuck with you. We could have the, like, best conversations, you know?
[00:38:17] Elizabeth: Yes, let's. If we, if either of us, or both of us get some kind of weird extended illness, we just need to be there for each other and just talk each other through it. Deal. I'll be there, you'll be there. It's going to be great. We can make anything fun. Thank you, Zara, for your time, your gracious time, and your really brilliant insights. It is truly an honor to talk with you.
[00:38:41] Zara: Thank you for having me.
