I recently saw a social media reel that was a punch in the gut. The woman, a cancer survivor, talked about how she hates when people discuss what they have learned from cancer. She went on to say that this kind of conversation puts too much pressure on cancer survivors to look for cancer’s lessons. …
I have been longing for some new colored pencils. Prisma Color pencils to be exact. Ever frugal, I tell myself that I can wait and buy them later. But today, while I was digging through my art supplies cupboard, guess what I found? That’s right… Prisma Color pencils. I must have purchased them long ago …
Sometimes I wonder if you, my dear readers, feel like I am a record stuck on a song. There are times that I write and realize I have already shared these thoughts in some earlier post. It is a slightly different melody but the theme is the same. You may think that happens because I …
“Life is a teacher of universal truths. To the wise, life is not a series of events to be controlled. Life is a way of walking through the world whole and holy.” I recently read this quote by Joan Chittister in the book, “How We Learn to be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith” …
In the past couple of weeks, I have been asked by several people about my health. And my response has been to say that my health is fairly stable, as I think it is the best descriptor I can come up with. The truth is that there is always something my medical team is surveilling. …
Self-compassion. It’s something that is on my mind often lately. I’m currently working on self-compassion with my Live Brave group and I define the concept as being kind to oneself, being aware of this moment, and being aware of our belonging to all of humanity. That is a tall order, isn’t it? I try often …
I have been diving in to the book, Atlas of the Heart, by Brene Brown with my Live Brave therapy group. Last week, a line about regret jumped out at me. Brene wrote, “In our work, we find that what people regret most are our failures of courage, whether it’s the courage to be kinder, …
In a conversation last week with a friend, I shared my anxiety about an upcoming skin cancer check-up. Less than a year has passed since my last surgery and the thought of a repeat had me uneasy. “Stay positive”, she responded. Her words made me reflect on the whole positivity movement and the latest buzz …
Art did not enter my life until my late thirties. Prior to that, I believed artistic ability was doled out to my mother and sisters only. Paintings, flower arranging, ceramic pottery, and creating garden design. They did them all beautifully. Then I went to Planet Bead, a little storefront in downtown Milwaukee. I discovered beads …
Through the darkness of this past winter, I have longed for the coming of spring. I imagined the warmth of the sun on my face, the chance to ride my bike, and opportunities to putter endlessly in my garden. So why am I feeling melancholy? As a cancer patient, I am keenly aware of the …
