Hi Reader,

​

About three weeks ago, I woke up on a Saturday with a headache. It had been a hot night and I hadn't slept well.

​

I did my normal morning routine, including going downstairs to the café in our building for an iced latte.

​

But I didn't feel like myself.

​

A little while later, I walked to the electrical shop that sells lightbulbs and light fixtures, and bought a fan (yes, that probably sounds a little bit strange - we live in the center of Istanbul, and everything we need is in our neighborhood).

​

As I walked there, I felt sad - almost as if I was holding back tears.

​

Then, returning home, my emotions felt stronger.

​

I unlocked the door, and our little dog ran to me, jumping up to greet me like she hadn't seen me in a long time. She whimpered and smiled at me (yes, she smiles), showing her front teeth, like she does when she's very happy.

​

At that, I broke down, as if someone had told me very bad news. I put the fan down, covered my face with my hand, and sobbed.

​

My wife came to see what was the matter.

​

She had me lay down on the bed and she held an ice pack to my head.

​

A few minutes later, when she went into another room, I cried again.

​

But I'm not sure I understood why.

​

As I lay on the bed with our dog beside me, two words came to my mind: deep aloneness.

​

(Not deep loneliness.)

​

I'm not sure how much those words actually related to how I was feeling. I guess a lot of things played a role in how I felt.

​

In addition to the heat and not sleeping well, I'd felt a little "off" other mornings that week - a bit lightheaded. And I had to cover my eyes from the sunlight when I first went outside in the mornings, as if someone turned on a light in a dark room.

​

So, how I was feeling that day was probably based on a combination of things.

​

And, though it might sound strange, I think it was also related to our dog - being aware of her innocence and vulnerability, her simple life and dependence, and pure love for us.

​

​

Since we adopted her, the love I have for her has been surprisingly transforming, as I wrote about a couple of months ago.

​

And with that comes new emotions.

​

​

Emotions are mysterious. They can be a combination of many feelings and experiences - like checking the "All of the above" box.

​

​

I procrastinated until yesterday to write about this. I didn't know how to tie my experience to anything meaningful or spiritual.

​

I looked for funny GIFs to include, but couldn't find any.

​

And I didn't think I'd be able to wrap this story up with a pretty bow.

​

Maybe the lesson in this email is about giving ourselves permission to cry - to feel emotions we don’t fully understand.

​

Maybe these kinds of emotions are part of what helps keep us holy.

​

Thanks for being part of my reader community.

John Christopher Frame

​

p.s. Feeling overwhelmed? Need more connection with God?

An author friend, Brian Plachta, is about to begin a 6-week online course called "The Divine Flow Workshop."

It’s for anyone feeling overwhelmed by life’s noise, and craving more peace, clarity, and connection with God.

It’s a live, guided journey that can help you slow down, let go of anxiety, find inner peace, and listen more for God’s voice.

The 6-week workshop is free with the purchase of Brian’s book, Finding Flow: Spiritual Practices to Reclaim Inner Peace, Balance, and Wholeness.

It all starts next week - Wednesday, July 23.

Here’s the link to learn more and sign up:
​https://www.findingflowlife.com/divine-flow-workshop-2025​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

If a friend or family member forwarded this email to you, and you'd like to receive my emails, too, just click this link and add your email address: https://www.johnchristopherframe.com/get-johns-emails​

​_____________________________________________________________________