by Kate | Jan 20, 2022 | Chronic healing, kind promises
When we are so ill that being sick seems like our whole world, how can the Buddhist notion of “exertion” help us? Exertion doesn’t mean hard work (though being sick is hard work.) Instead, it’s about showing up even when we don’t want to and, more than that, showing...
by Kate | Oct 20, 2021 | Advocacy, Chronic healing, chronic illness, Well-being
A friend was behind in her book club reading. “I have to read four chapters,” she sighed. Editing herself, she amended “I choose to read four chapters.” I suggested “you get to read four chapters.” She was re-ordering her thinking as we listened. Living with chronic...
by Kate | Jul 31, 2021 | Chronic healing, Well-being
before they flitter away, I wanted to capture some of the lessons I think the latest hospitalization (four nights last week) brought with it. I don’t mean the practical, body care tasks, but rather the soft skills I want to cultivate as part of my well-being. 1. Ask...
by Kate | Jun 15, 2021 | Chronic healing, chronic illness, Strength, Surrender
We human beings like to pretend we are in control. We imagine we live in a fair and predictable universe. Part of what makes illness difficult is that we realize the opposite is true. No matter how carefully we assemble the building blocks of health, disease happens,...
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...
by Kate | Apr 22, 2021 | Chronic healing, connectedness
In six more days, I will be fully vaccinated – two Pfizer vaccine shots +2 weeks of quarantine. While I’m excited about getting to the dentist and eye doctor, I am not going back to any in-person gatherings. We are still in the midst of pandemic and I, as “a person...
