On a particularly difficult day for me last month, a friend gave me a book that he knew would lift my spirits.  It was a collection of quotes and drawings that contained simple wisdom for living a life of peaceful presence (I've mentioned the work of Francois Lange at Sketches in Stillness on the blog before - I remain a huge fan). Having experienced that thoughtfulness and kindness myself, I was reminded of how offering up a gift is a powerful act for both the receiver AND…

Today I read a statement/affirmation/words of wisdom that I want to share.  I'll get to that.  But first I want to briefly talk about visibility. Visibility in chronic illness is a frequent topic.  Or rather, invisibility is. Although some of the symptoms and side effects may be obvious, much of the experience plays out beneath the surface or behind the curtains, where friends, colleagues and even family do not see. These silent and insidious side effects are far reaching and include both physical and psychological processes. …

Acceptance is such a common theme that I am revisiting it again - you can see my first video post on the topic here: Acceptance Naturally, when we are faced with something unpleasant, we want it to go away.  As with any problem we encounter in life, our natural instinct is to find a solution.  We may seek this solution through consulting with a health professional, requesting input from our community or attempting self management.  Thankfully, one of these options generally provides the answers we seek…