A Few Thoughts

Category: Self-care

  • Why don’t patients do what they’re told?

    Why don’t patients do what they’re told?

    I don’t mean to be difficult. Really.

  • Cancer Prevention

    Often, cancer is a crap shoot. It will be a while before medical science can always predict who will get cancer and who won’t. My cancer, plasma cell leukemia, is rare, and not much is understood about it. (Yes, I’m in complete remission, but this was my diagnosis not very long ago.)  But it’s silly…

  • The New Normal

    When I agreed to a stem cell transplant, I only knew that it was my best chance for a cure. I’m in complete remission. The transplant did save and extend my life. I can think and write and meditate. I can get myself here and there. I’m able to appreciate and enjoy this beautiful life.…

  • Working it

    Sleep has been elusive lately. From one night to the next, the Ambien might work, or not; the melatonin might work, or not. One night I took a Benadryl for my allergies AND an Ambien for sleep, and that worked too well… I’m on a steady dose of Prednisone again (thus the insomnia), because my…

  • Two Steps Forward… 

    Sometimes I forget about my recovery. That might sound like a good thing. People might assume that I usually worry over my health, and that forgetting would mean “enjoying life.” But I don’t mean that at all. I’m not much of a worrier, and I strive to appreciate my life every day, just as it is.  What…

  • The Bardo of Waiting

    I wrote an email to a friend this morning: I am getting familiar with that in-between, waiting, confused, gap experience. I’m waiting on biopsy results myself–results are due Tuesday. My health over the last year has been one thing after another, since I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a year ago. There’s a word for…

  • My wish for you

    You have strengths you don’t know you have. You can be kind to yourself, and on that basis you can be kind to others. Know that the worries you carry can be set down. My wish for you is that you be free from suffering, anxiety, fear, sickness, emotional upheaval, discord, and financial obstacles. 

  • Need a retreat?

    Boy, I do. I don’t just need to get away—I need a meditation program that challenges me. I’ve been fortunate to have been able to participate in a lot of retreats over the years. Reconnecting on retreat provides experiences that affect your “mindstream” in a special way. When you’re away from the everyday, you’re able…

  • Start fresh

    I started the morning early. I sat my butt on my meditation cushion for a few minutes, connecting with being before being seduced into the multitude of activities of my day. Then I was inspired to take a fresh sheet of paper – blank drawing paper – and a box of Crayons. I haven’t done that…

  • Episode 2 – Meditation

    Meditation Instruction The Windhorse Podcast – episode 2 Hi, friends. Meditation is a very simple and brief introduction to meditation practice. More to come in future episodes. I’m committed to keeping these recordings brief, so you can take a break from your daily activity and just listen. So, it isn’t recommended for listening to while…