It’s been 15 years. Fifteen years ago yesterday, unable to breathe deeply or while laying down, I was admitted to my local hospital with what would eventually be diagnosed as Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was a long road—two weeks until treatment started (though plenty of unpleasantries in those two weeks). Six months of chemo (extended by … Read more
Validation is a beautiful thing on any day, especially valuable on a rough day or in a rough season. Anyone not having a rough season? We often think about this in the context of an argument or disagreement where we would like our points validated, but it’s applicable to many circumstances. • You belong here. … Read more
Most of the time, I write blog posts within a week of publishing them (though rarely the same day). Most of the time, I prepare food the day we’re going to eat it. Most of the time, I do laundry when I’m almost out of the type of clothes that I’m washing. Or I’m out … Read more
A memory that came up from third grade or younger… I’m watching a couple of adults have a conversation. The person talking isn’t noticing that the person listening is clearly not interested in what they have to say. Fear of being clueless like that is part of what stopped me from talking much to people … Read more
Years ago, I read this piece on using passwords as a tool to change mindset. The gist is: make your password a statement to remind yourself of what you want. I used it at work, where I’d have to log in multiple times per day, and while I didn’t see the depth of results he … Read more
As I’ve been working through what I want to be when I grow up, I’ve done a lot of work to grow my skills and to connect with people who might be interested in what I have to offer. While I’m not making money yet (soon, if all goes according to plan!), I consider myself … Read more
I’m an extremely sentimental person, especially about people. Someone recently asked, “Do you collect people?” Why yes, yes I do. If you and I have had any remotely significant relationship at any point in my life for any length of time, you are a piece of me. For better or for worse. Regardless the state … Read more
I had a lovely conversation with a few brilliant women yesterday. We left off with a question to pick up next time: how do you know when something “isn’t my thing” versus “I just need to practice”? In other words, is the activity not for me, or am I just frustrated because I don’t have … Read more
In a conversation about calendars and keeping households collectively time-organized, we touched on personal planners. Mine is paper, next to my desk, and I designed the sheets. Details aren’t important because takeaway from the conversation was about flexibility, not planners. For many of us who are perfectionists in various stages of recovery, figuring out the … Read more
Changing Hands Bookstore had a virtual writing event recently where we were guided through a variety of chance operations activities. These activities leave the writing process to chance. (They’re useful for any creative composing, not just writing. John Cage used some in composing music, for example.) Leaving things to chance requires the writer to put … Read more