by Kate | Feb 2, 2016 | Chronic healing, chronic illness, Disability, joy, kind promises
The other day I was painting an experiment: “Make marks in joyful colors with joyful motion; combine them into one piece of art.” Before I started painting, I imagined the motions I used to make with my paintbrush when I was happy. I could envision the swoop and...
by Kate | Jan 29, 2016 | joy
Last night I attended Faithful Voices in the Public Square, an event sponsored by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. The Coalition mobilizes religious communities to influence public policy in Minnesota, guided by “God’s vision of the common good as reflected...
by Kate | Jan 26, 2016 | joy, kind promises
I’m playing with the idea that joy comes when my body and mind are in the same place at the same time. When I paint, that’s the case. My hand is making motions, my mind is entirely focused on my senses: choosing the color, maneuvering the brush, watching for beauty....
by Kate | Jan 22, 2016 | chronic illness, Disability, joy
I just came from getting some x-rays. (They replaced my baclofen pump a week ago and wanted to check their work.) The appointment was with the surgeon, who wanted to make sure my incision is healing well. Getting x-rays was a surprise. For someone in a power...
by Kate | Jan 19, 2016 | joy, kind promises, meditation, mindfulness
I was googling for joy the other day… Let me take a moment to savor that phrase: “googling for joy.” For a learner like me the fact that a world of information is at my fingertips brings joy. The idea that this month I get to spend time learning and thinking about joy...
by Kate | Jan 7, 2016 | joy, kind promises
I am discovering that keeping my mental health while I am receiving skilled nursing care is easy. All of my resources are centered around one thing: getting well enough to be released. Everyone around me is encouraging me toward that goal. It’s once I’m out that...
