My right leg has been hurting the past couple of weeks and I have tried everything I can think of to alleviate the pain! I've walked, massaged, stretched, stimulated my muscles electrically, iced and heated it and it still hurts! Last week, two friends separately asked me within the space of one hour, "have you tried resting your leg?" 😳 WHAT?? Rest?? Yep, it was a lightbulb moment...and one friend went even further by adding that maybe I could think about responding to myself as I would to one of my children if they were hurting. For my child self, I'll start with unusual kindness. Thanks for your essay!
Oh Caroline you've done it again. Thank you for a simple, yet profound newsletter! "Sometimes it holds your hand, and sometimes it speaks through an earbud." and may I be bold enough to add, often it shows up on Sundays in your inbox. Thank you for your weekly dose of reality and support!
Your two of cups interpretation was so moving and timely!! Thank you. I am (slowly) making my way through bell hooks’ All About Love, and your writing reminded me of hers. May we reimagine love in a more expansive way this holiday season! Xo.
Your newsletter is a soft place to fall. I dread the Holidays since I live with chronic pain. Every year I decorate the house fully and I am a perfectionist and this year I am stressed because I will not be able to do all the things that I normally do in preparation for the Holidays and it's filling me with dread as I don't like changes and I am very hard on myself because I have a hard time accepting my limitations now that I live with chronic pain. So much pressure with the Holidays coming. Sometimes I wake up and I say to myself that I will absolutely not decorate but my critical self jumps in and tell me that I am a failure and that I just have to put forth the effort and do it despite the pain. I am torn this year. Any suggestions from anyone? I know that the answer is to not decorate or to decorate minimally but the problem is to be at peace with those decisions. I should extend compassion to myself as I do for others. Sorry about the rant but talking about the Holidays triggered me. Thank you for sharing. I don't feel so alone.
I hesitate to offer any advice because I don't know you personally or your whole situation BUT I do know something about grief having lost my father earlier this year. I suspect you are grieving how things used to be and decorating for the holidays is another reminder that there has been a shift. Grief is a process, unfortunately, and it's going to take a hot minute to be at peace with whatever you decision you make regarding the holiday decor. I would just strongly advocate that you give yourself so much grace right now. And I'm so sorry you're dealing with chronic pain - that just sucks!
EBeth, you're so right. I am grieving how things used to be and for the person I used to be when I was healthy. I was a very active person and completed every project and never gave up on anything. Thank you so much for your advice and for caring.
"Respect wins the day over long-stemmed roses." Ugh, yes. This timely piece is doing its work on me. So crazy, I also drew the 2 of Cups for the collective recently (the 25th vs. your 27th). Cheers!
My right leg has been hurting the past couple of weeks and I have tried everything I can think of to alleviate the pain! I've walked, massaged, stretched, stimulated my muscles electrically, iced and heated it and it still hurts! Last week, two friends separately asked me within the space of one hour, "have you tried resting your leg?" 😳 WHAT?? Rest?? Yep, it was a lightbulb moment...and one friend went even further by adding that maybe I could think about responding to myself as I would to one of my children if they were hurting. For my child self, I'll start with unusual kindness. Thanks for your essay!
Oh Caroline you've done it again. Thank you for a simple, yet profound newsletter! "Sometimes it holds your hand, and sometimes it speaks through an earbud." and may I be bold enough to add, often it shows up on Sundays in your inbox. Thank you for your weekly dose of reality and support!
Thank you, Gillian. ❤️
Caroline, Your writing style is so beautiful!! This specific piece felt like a soft scarf. Thank you!
A soft scarf, I love that!
Your two of cups interpretation was so moving and timely!! Thank you. I am (slowly) making my way through bell hooks’ All About Love, and your writing reminded me of hers. May we reimagine love in a more expansive way this holiday season! Xo.
Thank you, Joyce! Relating to bell hooks in any way is the highest compliment.
Caroline, sorry to hear you've had "a week".
Reading between the lines, I hope it's resolving.😘
Respect is the key to any healthy relationship, in my view.
My social worker said rather pintedly "Healthy people redpect boundaries, unhealthy people don't."
This has been pivotal 'measuring' up new people as they enter my life now I'm "free."
This goes for new friends and old acquaintances, potential relationship interests and frenemies alike.
Self respect is a deal-breaker. Never again will I disrespect myself enpugh to let another intentionally disrespect me.
Simples. 💥
Bravo Rusty! I am in your corner.😊
Thanx 😘
Sorry re: typos = numb hands.
Your newsletter is a soft place to fall. I dread the Holidays since I live with chronic pain. Every year I decorate the house fully and I am a perfectionist and this year I am stressed because I will not be able to do all the things that I normally do in preparation for the Holidays and it's filling me with dread as I don't like changes and I am very hard on myself because I have a hard time accepting my limitations now that I live with chronic pain. So much pressure with the Holidays coming. Sometimes I wake up and I say to myself that I will absolutely not decorate but my critical self jumps in and tell me that I am a failure and that I just have to put forth the effort and do it despite the pain. I am torn this year. Any suggestions from anyone? I know that the answer is to not decorate or to decorate minimally but the problem is to be at peace with those decisions. I should extend compassion to myself as I do for others. Sorry about the rant but talking about the Holidays triggered me. Thank you for sharing. I don't feel so alone.
I don't think this us pyrely about 'to decorate or not to decorate'. I have a hunch it goes deeper?
I recommend googling "Spoon Theory."
It's very insightful about living with chronic pain and fatigue.
Sending you a hug from Australia. xx
Thank you, Rusty. Will goggle ''Spoon Theory" right now. Big hug and blessings to you!
I hesitate to offer any advice because I don't know you personally or your whole situation BUT I do know something about grief having lost my father earlier this year. I suspect you are grieving how things used to be and decorating for the holidays is another reminder that there has been a shift. Grief is a process, unfortunately, and it's going to take a hot minute to be at peace with whatever you decision you make regarding the holiday decor. I would just strongly advocate that you give yourself so much grace right now. And I'm so sorry you're dealing with chronic pain - that just sucks!
And EBeth, so sorry about the loss of your father. Sending you a hug and blessings.❤
EBeth, you're so right. I am grieving how things used to be and for the person I used to be when I was healthy. I was a very active person and completed every project and never gave up on anything. Thank you so much for your advice and for caring.
Just love love love your card reading this week💕💕💕
I just love your interpretation of the cards. Thank you, this is so helpful
Respect wins the day!!!
"Respect wins the day over long-stemmed roses." Ugh, yes. This timely piece is doing its work on me. So crazy, I also drew the 2 of Cups for the collective recently (the 25th vs. your 27th). Cheers!
A shout out to your seemingly epic crystal collection too.
Thank you! The crystals appreciate it. :)
Couldn’t love this essay more. Your letters feel like a serendipitous breeze wafting out and around those of us lucky enough to receive them. <3
Thank you, Renay ❤️