Karen, I somehow missed this email until this evening. Just want you to know, that you are absolutely a vehicle for peace. That tendency of striving for perfection is being used so beautifully, and yes often exquisitely with your wonderful nature pictures and narratives. So, give perfection its due. It has me very happily waiting for each new post! My heart is happy to rest in your peace..
Karen everything you wrote I have felt thank you for being so open. At 75 I realize I am very intense~serious about life~ it’s served a purpose in my life as a child and young adult I had to raise my brothers from a young age ( my mom was bipolar) ~ but now with so many thing happening physically to me ~ I need to be kinder to me~ I thanked my body a couple of days ago~ for taking care of me for this long~I thanked God for giving me Dr. That care~ I had two Doctors tell me in a few days apart ( I am keeping you in prayer) I’ve never had that before ~ I feel better ~but go to ~what if~ your writing help me ~ you photos soothe my soul~ I thank you very much ~ you are loved bless you
Karen, this is a wonderful post. It truly resonated with me--as it appears it did with a number of your other followers. Vulnerability...always a difficult one...You're such a thoughtful, introspective person. Thank you
Totally feel all the feels reading this. And this: 'The old pathways are strong and the new pathways are tenuous. I sort of understand them, but they are not “lived in” yet. ' I understand deeply.
It takes time and alot of patience.
I loved to hear that you still feel frightened so much and I feel that too though I wish I didn't even though I know it's the way. Anyway it's better than being shut down and numb which is what came before.
So glad I found you and this little gem of writing and gorgeous photos today. :o)
Thank you Karen! It's hard to remember sometimes that it's better than being numb. I often use have to repeat to myself, "this too shall pass, all things do".
Ah, Celeste, I am a recovering perfectionist too. I've gained so much perspective on this as I've learned how my brain works and how perfectionism was an attempt to rein it in. Much love to you, it's definitely worth engaging in self-compassion!
Ohhhh, Karen. Just lovely. Thank you so much, for your vulnerability in sharing this. I am forwarding it to a client of mine who needs to hear your wisdom. My favorite line: "...finding peace in one breath. Then hopefully one more." Yes!!!!!
Every day I begin again too. I do my best to find peace in the midst of all the horrors in the world. Some days I am better at finding peace in my creative endeavors and the things that bring me comfort. Other days I am not so good at it. I just do my best. Thank you for bringing insight, comfort, and beauty to these challenging days.
Yes for sure. We just start over every day. When I was reading Thich Nhat Hahn talk about walking with steps that place peace on the earth I thought well how about if I type in a peaceful way? Can I think of it in every little thing I'm doing and try to bring a little peace to that thing?
100% Celeste! In the summer of 2022 I took the Online Mindful Self Compassion course from the Center for Mindful Compassion. A group of 8 of us started practicing together after the course and we still practice every week. In all the years of trying to be kinder to myself, this group has really helped me develop this as a stronger practice!
This addresses everything I am encountering in my life, psyche, and body right now. Somatization (the pain body) that turns every emotion into a "symptom," learning to (literally) deep breathe again when fear arises that borders on panic attacks, and now a new metaphor which you have just given me: How to MIGRATE to a new soul environment. How to be vulnerable, adapt, appreciate, grieve, rejoice, and yes, survive. But most of all, how to be at peace with all of what is, including me. Thank you, dear friend, KD.
Mmmm, I love this, about migrating! I had an interesting thought last night about thanking the place that hurt in my hip for all it has held for all these years and then asking it to help me know how to help it let go. I hadn't thought of thanking it before.
Two healers I admire, the late Louise Hays and Carol Tuttle, both advocate blessing rather than denigrating/cursing the pain body. Among the ancients Hildegard of Bingen, the mystic and healer, also advocated blessing and compassion for our pain, which is just trying to tell us something we need to know.
Karen, I somehow missed this email until this evening. Just want you to know, that you are absolutely a vehicle for peace. That tendency of striving for perfection is being used so beautifully, and yes often exquisitely with your wonderful nature pictures and narratives. So, give perfection its due. It has me very happily waiting for each new post! My heart is happy to rest in your peace..
I completely identify with this struggle. You are not alone.
Thank you Dawn.
Thank you for the reminder to make peace a thread through every action. I typed this with peace and gratitude.
Thank you Rosalie. Yes, I have been thinking about what energy do I have when typing, or walking, or washing my hands!
Karen everything you wrote I have felt thank you for being so open. At 75 I realize I am very intense~serious about life~ it’s served a purpose in my life as a child and young adult I had to raise my brothers from a young age ( my mom was bipolar) ~ but now with so many thing happening physically to me ~ I need to be kinder to me~ I thanked my body a couple of days ago~ for taking care of me for this long~I thanked God for giving me Dr. That care~ I had two Doctors tell me in a few days apart ( I am keeping you in prayer) I’ve never had that before ~ I feel better ~but go to ~what if~ your writing help me ~ you photos soothe my soul~ I thank you very much ~ you are loved bless you
I love you sweet Catherine!
I love you too
Well, you should know that your photos create peace in me.
Thank you Janisse!
Karen, this is a wonderful post. It truly resonated with me--as it appears it did with a number of your other followers. Vulnerability...always a difficult one...You're such a thoughtful, introspective person. Thank you
Thank you Linda Sue
Totally feel all the feels reading this. And this: 'The old pathways are strong and the new pathways are tenuous. I sort of understand them, but they are not “lived in” yet. ' I understand deeply.
It takes time and alot of patience.
I loved to hear that you still feel frightened so much and I feel that too though I wish I didn't even though I know it's the way. Anyway it's better than being shut down and numb which is what came before.
So glad I found you and this little gem of writing and gorgeous photos today. :o)
Thank you Karen! It's hard to remember sometimes that it's better than being numb. I often use have to repeat to myself, "this too shall pass, all things do".
Thank you. I have been trying to make peace with myself after putting myself in the mental battle of a perfectionist for so long.
Ah, Celeste, I am a recovering perfectionist too. I've gained so much perspective on this as I've learned how my brain works and how perfectionism was an attempt to rein it in. Much love to you, it's definitely worth engaging in self-compassion!
Ohhhh, Karen. Just lovely. Thank you so much, for your vulnerability in sharing this. I am forwarding it to a client of mine who needs to hear your wisdom. My favorite line: "...finding peace in one breath. Then hopefully one more." Yes!!!!!
Thank you Jeanne! Even Thich Nhat Hahn, who surely seemed to have this mastered, talked about beginning again with every breath.
That reminds me: I also loved the TNH quote you led with.
Every day I begin again too. I do my best to find peace in the midst of all the horrors in the world. Some days I am better at finding peace in my creative endeavors and the things that bring me comfort. Other days I am not so good at it. I just do my best. Thank you for bringing insight, comfort, and beauty to these challenging days.
Yes for sure. We just start over every day. When I was reading Thich Nhat Hahn talk about walking with steps that place peace on the earth I thought well how about if I type in a peaceful way? Can I think of it in every little thing I'm doing and try to bring a little peace to that thing?
Same here, Rosalie! Trying my best but also being gentle to myself is working for me recently.
100% Celeste! In the summer of 2022 I took the Online Mindful Self Compassion course from the Center for Mindful Compassion. A group of 8 of us started practicing together after the course and we still practice every week. In all the years of trying to be kinder to myself, this group has really helped me develop this as a stronger practice!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful message with us...you are not alone. May peace find you in this moment.
Thank you Julie!
This addresses everything I am encountering in my life, psyche, and body right now. Somatization (the pain body) that turns every emotion into a "symptom," learning to (literally) deep breathe again when fear arises that borders on panic attacks, and now a new metaphor which you have just given me: How to MIGRATE to a new soul environment. How to be vulnerable, adapt, appreciate, grieve, rejoice, and yes, survive. But most of all, how to be at peace with all of what is, including me. Thank you, dear friend, KD.
Mmmm, I love this, about migrating! I had an interesting thought last night about thanking the place that hurt in my hip for all it has held for all these years and then asking it to help me know how to help it let go. I hadn't thought of thanking it before.
Two healers I admire, the late Louise Hays and Carol Tuttle, both advocate blessing rather than denigrating/cursing the pain body. Among the ancients Hildegard of Bingen, the mystic and healer, also advocated blessing and compassion for our pain, which is just trying to tell us something we need to know.
Beautiful words and images, Karen. Wishing you peace, as you continue to find it :)
Thank you Sydney!