Good Luck Bad Luck
This story on humour, friendship and caregiving I first published on my blog Joyful Wrecks, shortly after I started chemo. I had encouraged my friends to look for humour, along with me, as they accompanied me during this challenging time. This particular friend was a master at it and created an amazing way for me to laugh even on the tough days.
Learning Elements of MLT and Living Well
This is a brief summary of some of the learning perspectives of this work. Things like the use of humour; creativity; actively engaging in constructive and meaningful activities; mindfulness training; learning practical ways to coexist with anxiety and fear of death; using our attention to cultivate a sense of wonder with small joys…an overview.
Lean Into It
Learning to ski at the age of 45 gave me an approach to my cancer diagnosis and treatment 16 years later. On a magnificent slope in the Swiss Alps, with blue sky and the best snow in 50 years, I was an eager and reluctant novice skier. Shaking with fear, and with tears spilling over, my spouse and ski instructor Gottfried gave me advice that served me well then and later: lean into it, he kept saying. You will have more control if you lean into it.
A Caregiver Vignette: the Power of Kindness
Dedicated to all the caregivers who help keep us going in times of difficulty.
Aldous Huxley wrote the novel “Brave New World.” Toward the end of his life an interviewer asked:
“Dr. Huxley, perhaps more than anyone else alive, you have studied the great spiritual traditions of the world. What have you learned?” Huxley replied, “I think we could just be a bit kinder.”
Cycling the Cabot Trail: My Mount Fuji
As you read the story of my Cabot Trail adventure please bear in mind a few things that may not be obvious. First of all, when I was going through chemo, and later, my year of herceptin, there were many things I said no to because I wasn’t up to it. I also was very careful during the periods of low immunity and stayed away from public places so as to reduce my chances of getting sick. What I did do, were daily walks when the weather was reasonable.
Life Review and Final Letters from Stanford University
Check out this article in the New York Times and Stanford’s final letter writing project.
Meaningful Life Therapy by Dr. Ishu Ishiyama
This is an old, interesting and important academic journal article by Dr. Ishiyama at the University of British Columbia.
We Can Still be Crazy by Pema Chodron
Meditation is a recommended practice in spiritual communities and in many hospitals for those people dealing with major health issues. It is an excellent suggestion but often there is a slippery slope. Beware the tendency to see Meditation as a way to become a better person or to beat yourself up in any number of ways. Pema Chodron, addresses this in a short, succinct and helpful manner, reminding us all that we can still be our crazy selves. Takes two minutes to read.
The Role of Ikigai in Living Well with Illness
Ikigai is a Japanese word that means something like “a reason to get up in the morning.” What lifts your spirits? What gives your life meaning? I consider it an attribute of living well with illness. Ikigai is not positive thinking. Rather, it is about daily life. The sum of small joys that can lead to a meaningful life. What are things you love and consider essential to do when you have the chance? Nothing changes without action. Ikigai is about taking action- small steps- every day that allows you to flourish under all circumstances.
