by Kate | May 25, 2022 | Weakness
Every now and then, someone’s words land in my heart with the resonance of a temple gong. “Pay attention!” they whisper urgently. “This applies to you.” Yesterday, the words were: “We live, we die, this infuriates us—but far better that it saddens sus, and that we...
by Kate | May 18, 2022 | Chronic healing, Weakness
Recently, a nurse practitioner told me I should spend more time in bed. Last July, I received a pressure wound because of an emergency surgery. Almost a year later, that wound has yet heal properly. The best “medicine” would be for me to lie in bed, taking the...
by Kate | May 16, 2022 | Weakness
Dr. Kristin Neff is a famous evangelist of self-compassion. She says it includes three elements: self kindness vs. self judgment, common humanity vs. Isolation, and mindfulness vs. over-identification. I entered my adulthood with an unhealthy habit it of...
by Kate | Jul 10, 2021 | kind promises, Strength, Vulnerability, Weakness
We humans are a social species. We weren’t meant to survive or thrive on our own. Unfortunately, we (especially Americans) have created mythic heroes that are rugged individualists. They don’t need anybody. It’s a lonely life. Those of us who live with illness can’t...
by Kate | May 24, 2021 | kind promises, Weakness, Well-being
Psychologist Kristin Neff says there are three elements to self-compassion: self-kindness vs. self-judgmentcommon humanity vs. isolationmindfulness vs. overidentification Here are some journaling prompts designed to help you explore and practice those elements. Bring...
by Kate | May 11, 2021 | Chronic healing, Weakness
I’ve been noticing recently that I have a scratchy, wavering old lady voice. It comes from not having enough air to project the sound. The nerve connections to my diaphragm and intercostal muscles are mostly gone, so I can’t get good breath support. (One of the things...
