You do such a wonderful job of opening your heart in your writing. I also remember that your tango dancing is also very heart-oriented.....you dance from your heart! Thank you for such deep and rich experiences.
Thank you, Gary. And thank you for remembering this. Tango was very much a spiritual practice for me, as well as heart-opening, forcing me to be vulnerable. I miss it - and, at the same time, I know it served its purpose. Best of all, I met you and Martha and we are still friends. This is truly a gift I cherish.
When my marriage imploded quite unexpectedly I began spontaneously vomiting, on and off, all day, every day. I couldn’t keep anything down and lost a lot of weight very quickly. I remember my therapist saying to me, “You can’t digest what’s happening to you so your body won’t let you digest either.” I was intellectually aware of the body mind connection for decades prior to that, but then I really got it.
Luckily, I survived that time, but it changed the way I understood the world, for sure. I hope you heart and lungs get home soon. Thanks for this one. It was rich for me. ❤️
Wow, that's a powerful example, Asha! I'm glad you had a therapist who was able to make that connection for you. And yes, there are so many things we *know* intellectually and then... then there is a body knowing which is much more profound.
Dear Jan. I loved your article. You are an excellent writer. Thank you SO much for sharing these “body” thoughts with us. It gives me a lot to think about. Loved the photo of Maxie. Thank you. Wendy
This post resonates with me in so many ways. Yoga-I did & taught intense yoga, overstretched, therefore have turned to a quieter at home practice past decade. I have and read both books you mentioned and refer to the Louise Hey book often. Have lung issues for a while and since pandemic feet issues. I believe in these connections; emotions and the body, but intellectual awareness of them does nor bring any fast relief. My journey to free my body of pain and breathe more fully is one I am tuning into each day to see how my emotions are a factor. Less thinking and outward focus with gardening and painting some rooms in my house that I may be leaving help. The future- carrying grief and loss impacts my ability to envision this. I think the bringing lungs and heart home metaphor is a powerful one. All you are experiencing may also relates to your Substack title- Finding Home. A thought. My wise friend Toni who passed away always corrected me when I would say- I am working on, trying, hoping for something. She said to speak it out loud as if it is already here. I am home. I have full breath. Instead of saying I want to be pain free, get rid of the word pain in your thoughts, words, she would say. I am filled with breath, I am walking and dancing with ease and comfort. You are reminding me of this- I will shift to this. Thanks for reminding me of this. This may help us both right now. We are whole, well and full of ease! Be well my friend.🙏
Ah, Susan, thank you so much for writing. Yes, your friend Toni was a wise soul. (and I'm sorry for your loss yet glad she is still with you and guiding you) I have to remember this myself. For example, I don't talk about my foot pain much anymore b/c, I believe, that gives it more power. (And, let's be honest, talking about it doesn't make it better - it only increases my frustration) Instead, I focus on "I can walk. Walk slowly, walk gently, be deliberate in your steps" This also reminds me of Yoda: "There is no try. There is only do or do not do." We do yoga - we don't practice. We may not do something as well as we would like, but we are at least doing it. I embrace change - not trying to embrace it. Either I am resisting or I am embracing - there is no try. At the moment, you are carrying grief and loss. Your heart is huge, however, and you also carry gratitude and love. Your grief serves you in some way. Some day, when it no longer serves you, you will lay it down, bless it, and leave it.
We ARE whole, well, and full of ease! Blessings, friend!
Was in Idaho myself last month with Mel's brother and family. Yes s lot of slow down!!
oh I love that you felt the slow energy of Idaho too! I would never have thought Mel's family was in Idaho! Where?
One branch near Boise
You do such a wonderful job of opening your heart in your writing. I also remember that your tango dancing is also very heart-oriented.....you dance from your heart! Thank you for such deep and rich experiences.
Thank you, Gary. And thank you for remembering this. Tango was very much a spiritual practice for me, as well as heart-opening, forcing me to be vulnerable. I miss it - and, at the same time, I know it served its purpose. Best of all, I met you and Martha and we are still friends. This is truly a gift I cherish.
When my marriage imploded quite unexpectedly I began spontaneously vomiting, on and off, all day, every day. I couldn’t keep anything down and lost a lot of weight very quickly. I remember my therapist saying to me, “You can’t digest what’s happening to you so your body won’t let you digest either.” I was intellectually aware of the body mind connection for decades prior to that, but then I really got it.
Luckily, I survived that time, but it changed the way I understood the world, for sure. I hope you heart and lungs get home soon. Thanks for this one. It was rich for me. ❤️
Wow, that's a powerful example, Asha! I'm glad you had a therapist who was able to make that connection for you. And yes, there are so many things we *know* intellectually and then... then there is a body knowing which is much more profound.
Thank you, I appreciate you sharing this.
Dear Jan. I loved your article. You are an excellent writer. Thank you SO much for sharing these “body” thoughts with us. It gives me a lot to think about. Loved the photo of Maxie. Thank you. Wendy
Oh Wendy, thank you so much for reading! And thank you so much for Mazie's gorgeous collar!! xoxoxoo
So glad u were able to get in to see this therapist. Isn’t it amazing how the universe brings what we need?
This post resonates with me in so many ways. Yoga-I did & taught intense yoga, overstretched, therefore have turned to a quieter at home practice past decade. I have and read both books you mentioned and refer to the Louise Hey book often. Have lung issues for a while and since pandemic feet issues. I believe in these connections; emotions and the body, but intellectual awareness of them does nor bring any fast relief. My journey to free my body of pain and breathe more fully is one I am tuning into each day to see how my emotions are a factor. Less thinking and outward focus with gardening and painting some rooms in my house that I may be leaving help. The future- carrying grief and loss impacts my ability to envision this. I think the bringing lungs and heart home metaphor is a powerful one. All you are experiencing may also relates to your Substack title- Finding Home. A thought. My wise friend Toni who passed away always corrected me when I would say- I am working on, trying, hoping for something. She said to speak it out loud as if it is already here. I am home. I have full breath. Instead of saying I want to be pain free, get rid of the word pain in your thoughts, words, she would say. I am filled with breath, I am walking and dancing with ease and comfort. You are reminding me of this- I will shift to this. Thanks for reminding me of this. This may help us both right now. We are whole, well and full of ease! Be well my friend.🙏
Ah, Susan, thank you so much for writing. Yes, your friend Toni was a wise soul. (and I'm sorry for your loss yet glad she is still with you and guiding you) I have to remember this myself. For example, I don't talk about my foot pain much anymore b/c, I believe, that gives it more power. (And, let's be honest, talking about it doesn't make it better - it only increases my frustration) Instead, I focus on "I can walk. Walk slowly, walk gently, be deliberate in your steps" This also reminds me of Yoda: "There is no try. There is only do or do not do." We do yoga - we don't practice. We may not do something as well as we would like, but we are at least doing it. I embrace change - not trying to embrace it. Either I am resisting or I am embracing - there is no try. At the moment, you are carrying grief and loss. Your heart is huge, however, and you also carry gratitude and love. Your grief serves you in some way. Some day, when it no longer serves you, you will lay it down, bless it, and leave it.
We ARE whole, well, and full of ease! Blessings, friend!
Ah, Sicily. I love the way this post meanders and finds "home" in metaphor.
Thanks.
ah, Sicily! :)