I had a really beautiful holiday season, although bittersweet. My dad passed on Christmas last year and I didn't want my sister to be without family this year so, even though I never travel at the holidays because it is expensive and exhausting and usually results in me getting sick, I did ... I set up a surprise with her girlfriend that involved a scavenger hunt and she found me at the end of it and she burst into tears and it was perfect. I was only there for a few days and we laughed the entire time and it was the most nourishing thing I did all year.
So good to see you here, Kathryn! Ooh wow, what a beautiful thing you did for your sister. And I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing last year. Thar must be a tough Christmas to go through, but sounds like it was made so much better by your sweet surprise, it sounds like it meant a lot for your sister.. I love your word of the year, I can feel it.
It is now ten years since I was diagnosed with MS. I am an unreliable Narrator after a half a century of being the one that they could count on in a crisis. Disability is hardest thing I have ever done. In 11 years I will turn 80, so I have done a lot.
Wow yes chronic illness and disability is so much work! I too went from being ‘the one to count on in a crisis’ and I lost a lot of friends because of it. It’s tough!
I love the word community! Look forward to reading all that is coming from you and hearing more on your perspective.
You’ve given me a lot to think about because I see myself as one of those “what’s been possible for me is possible for others” (though not the do it my way camp). at the same time I recognise that we are all on our own unique path and journey. In the last year more so, I’ve come to realise that I have no idea where someone else is on theirs, what their soul intentions and beliefs are nor what they came here to do. I can only know that for myself. You’ve given me a lot to think about here, as you often do - thank you.
I enjoyed an intentionally quiet Christmas and kept new year low key. To ease stress and pressure was my goal and break the energy I’ve been caught up in of overdoing it. Using January and February to rest and reset. I need to bring in some new boundaries before returning to the bulk of my work in a new way from March onwards. Though I’m feeling in the depths of winter right now, I am excited for the year ahead ✨
So good to hear from you Amber and I’m loving your reflections as always. I’m so glad to hear about your small shifts in terms of ‘what’s possible for me is possible for you’. I used to think like that, too, but it blocks compassion for others. And glad to hear that you’re on a renewed mission to set better boundaries. Let us know how that goes as you move along.
Ahhh I’m so glad I as vulnerable to share now instead of feeling like “one of those people” because I never in a million years would’ve linked “what’s been possible for me is possible for you” as a block in compassion for others. But now you hold this mirror up for me I can see how that rings true. I can sense already that it’ll help me find a new way to communicate to readers. And even in writing this, the realisation that this is not ever something I would say to a client in person has dawned upon me 😲 so I’ll have a little think about the language I use with them. Thanks so much. I’ve really taken more from this than I bargained for🙏😘
Had another massive realisation last night Madelleine....the whole “what’s possible thing” is a projection !!! A projection of my beliefs on to someone else ! As well as blocking compassion, this is not serving others/humanity, it’s projection. I am fascinated by the part our beliefs play in our health. Whilst it is important I challenge, change, honour and accept my own, projecting mine on to others is not what I want to do nor is it what I’m here for. Trying to write a blog about it now. Ok if I tag you?
YES! Am loving these realisations. And it’s so true about the projections. This is also very healing for me to read as I went through the same process but felt a lot of shame for all the stuff I dumped on others, but we’re just human and our intentions are good (sometimes too good) and illness is damn hard! By all means tag me, I’d be honoured :)
Ahhh I’m so pleased to hear this is a healing conversation for you💜 our conversation has helped me get clear on so much. Without your loved experience, then writing and sharing about it, that would never have happened.
I love your word of the year. Mine is wellness, which is a complicated word:
https://createmefree.substack.com/p/my-2024-intentions-word-of-the-year
I had a really beautiful holiday season, although bittersweet. My dad passed on Christmas last year and I didn't want my sister to be without family this year so, even though I never travel at the holidays because it is expensive and exhausting and usually results in me getting sick, I did ... I set up a surprise with her girlfriend that involved a scavenger hunt and she found me at the end of it and she burst into tears and it was perfect. I was only there for a few days and we laughed the entire time and it was the most nourishing thing I did all year.
So good to see you here, Kathryn! Ooh wow, what a beautiful thing you did for your sister. And I’m so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing last year. Thar must be a tough Christmas to go through, but sounds like it was made so much better by your sweet surprise, it sounds like it meant a lot for your sister.. I love your word of the year, I can feel it.
Thank you, it was complicated but the holiday itself ended up so special with my sister and that's really what dad would have wanted most anyway.
It is now ten years since I was diagnosed with MS. I am an unreliable Narrator after a half a century of being the one that they could count on in a crisis. Disability is hardest thing I have ever done. In 11 years I will turn 80, so I have done a lot.
Wow yes chronic illness and disability is so much work! I too went from being ‘the one to count on in a crisis’ and I lost a lot of friends because of it. It’s tough!
The fair weather friend phenomenon.
Oh yes
Glad to see you are back Madelleine with some very good reflections for the new year! :)
Thank you 🌸 And good to see you here 🥰
I love the word community! Look forward to reading all that is coming from you and hearing more on your perspective.
You’ve given me a lot to think about because I see myself as one of those “what’s been possible for me is possible for others” (though not the do it my way camp). at the same time I recognise that we are all on our own unique path and journey. In the last year more so, I’ve come to realise that I have no idea where someone else is on theirs, what their soul intentions and beliefs are nor what they came here to do. I can only know that for myself. You’ve given me a lot to think about here, as you often do - thank you.
I enjoyed an intentionally quiet Christmas and kept new year low key. To ease stress and pressure was my goal and break the energy I’ve been caught up in of overdoing it. Using January and February to rest and reset. I need to bring in some new boundaries before returning to the bulk of my work in a new way from March onwards. Though I’m feeling in the depths of winter right now, I am excited for the year ahead ✨
So good to hear from you Amber and I’m loving your reflections as always. I’m so glad to hear about your small shifts in terms of ‘what’s possible for me is possible for you’. I used to think like that, too, but it blocks compassion for others. And glad to hear that you’re on a renewed mission to set better boundaries. Let us know how that goes as you move along.
Ahhh I’m so glad I as vulnerable to share now instead of feeling like “one of those people” because I never in a million years would’ve linked “what’s been possible for me is possible for you” as a block in compassion for others. But now you hold this mirror up for me I can see how that rings true. I can sense already that it’ll help me find a new way to communicate to readers. And even in writing this, the realisation that this is not ever something I would say to a client in person has dawned upon me 😲 so I’ll have a little think about the language I use with them. Thanks so much. I’ve really taken more from this than I bargained for🙏😘
Yay so glad to hear this!
Had another massive realisation last night Madelleine....the whole “what’s possible thing” is a projection !!! A projection of my beliefs on to someone else ! As well as blocking compassion, this is not serving others/humanity, it’s projection. I am fascinated by the part our beliefs play in our health. Whilst it is important I challenge, change, honour and accept my own, projecting mine on to others is not what I want to do nor is it what I’m here for. Trying to write a blog about it now. Ok if I tag you?
YES! Am loving these realisations. And it’s so true about the projections. This is also very healing for me to read as I went through the same process but felt a lot of shame for all the stuff I dumped on others, but we’re just human and our intentions are good (sometimes too good) and illness is damn hard! By all means tag me, I’d be honoured :)
Ahhh I’m so pleased to hear this is a healing conversation for you💜 our conversation has helped me get clear on so much. Without your loved experience, then writing and sharing about it, that would never have happened.