U/B 27: What's most alive for you?
And I don't mean which houseplants
Hi. What’s most alive for you right now?
That’s it. That’s this week’s letter. A reminder to:
Get present with your feelings.
Pause and examine what’s replenishing or depleting your energy.
Choose what to do next.
Love,
Kate
Ok, ok. I have thoughts to share, if you’re curious.
What’s most alive for me right now is my body.
That seems like a “no duh” statement, but I haven’t been all that present with my body. Aging, motherhood, a desk job, butter, alcohol1, sedentary lifestyle, hot ‘n humid NC summers, breast cancer, have taken a toll. My tendency is to ignore it and stay in my head. My strength is in my thinking, not my physicality. Or at least that was my belief when I was younger and didn’t think much about my health. Now I know that if my body deteriorates too much, I’ll lose mental strength too.
Make time for your wellness or you’ll be forced to make time for your illness2.
Sometimes I think my body (or the universe?) created breast cancer last year to get me to stop drifting. I could sense that it was happening for me. It was the best type of cancer: low grade, early detection, treatable. It felt like a message.
So yeah. My body is alive and present thanks to another surgery this month, this time reconstruction to partially fill in the lemon-sized hole created by the last surgery (lumpectomy). All is well. I’ve got to wear a compression garment for 4 weeks, which keeps all the jiggly parts contained while they heal. On day 3 of my recovery I eschewed the hospital-issued velcro cincher and overnighted the recommended shapewear-waist-trainer-bodysuit-for-women (in black, of course) hoping to feel more like a woman than a hastily repaired rag doll. It’s working. Both to contain the jiggly parts and restore some wellbeing. It’s a tad uncomfortable to wear 24/7 (sleeping is particularly tricky). Hence the awareness of my body.
Having cancer means doctor’s offices every month — screenings, consultations, treatments. I could be annoyed by this demand on my time (e.g. “It shouldn’t be this way”), but I’m choosing to see it as my new normal. A regular reminder to focus on health and wellness. It’s happening for me, not to me.
One reason I share personal stories (e.g. cancer, layoffs, parenting) is because I believe in the power of shared perspectives. Everyone’s life is different (no duh, right?) but more importantly, everyone perceives situations differently. Even people in the exact same room.
You can choose how to perceive. Do you believe the world is against you or for you? Do show up with fear or love?
Our days do not have to be something to “get through”. They are life. A time to be alive.
It’s happening for you.
Thank you for reading my words. Your attention is a powerful gift to me.
Sending light,
Kate
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p.p.s. Are you an unsatisfied professional with a curious mind and open heart? Are you ready to make a serious transformation in your life? Send me a DM or fill out this form.
I’ve been on and off alcohol for all my adulthood. I’m currently not drinking, which has been easy thanks to this book and my renewed focus on health.
Who said this? I can’t find a definitive source to cite. If you know, please comment.