Yesterday, I had my first neurologist’s appointment of 2018. After eight years of living with the diagnosis of the neurological movement disorder dystonia, it amazes me just how far I have come. From countless falls every time I tried to walk each day and needing to use wheelchairs and scooters in public, I now find myself able to get through a thorough neurological exam under fluorescent lights … [Read more...]
For most of my adulthood, it’s felt as if I’ve been waltzing between an addictive race to accomplishment and the exhausted paralysis of perfectionism. It’s not surprising, really, that there are so many of us stuck in this precarious pas de deux. The frantic rhythm of modern society seems to thrive off this fear of not measuring up and its most reliable partner–an addiction to busyness. In a … [Read more...]
Every January, I share a piece of writing meant to imbue myself and others with curiosity, hope, enthusiasm and wonder for the great potential that lies in the days, weeks and months of the new year ahead. I've found inspiration for the upcoming year by reflecting on my accomplishments for the meaningful changes I made the previous year; the focus on gratitude has been key. I've written about … [Read more...]
Today kicks off my 40-day countdown celebration to turning 40 years old. Yes, you read that correctly; I am indeed celebrating this momentous time in my life with something special every day leading up to my birthday. I refuse to spend the last weeks of my 30s mourning my so-called youth, especially when the awe and wonder I feel toward life only grows with each passing day. Sure, it would be … [Read more...]
On Monday, August 21, a solar eclipse will fully cross the United States, from coast to coast, for the first time in almost a century. Qigong master Mingtong Gu writes that a total solar eclipse has alchemical–or transformative–energy and symbolizes "the direct earthly experience of cosmic and celestial energy -- pure potential and power -- for good or bad." As whatever we hold in our … [Read more...]
I know I’m not alone in trying to process the terror and violence that recently erupted in Charlottesville, VA. The brutal altercation between rallying white supremacists and counter-protestors has slammed more tidal waves of horror, disbelief and sorrow about race relations against the rocky foundation of our country. It has compelled a period of deep reflection on what the United States of … [Read more...]
Through much of my adult years (and much of life, in truth), I've spent far more time than I'd like looking back on the past and wondering 'what if'? That really didn't change until the last few years when I finally learned how to breathe and stay in the moment with meditation–and when my romantic relationship solidified, gaining permanence. In retrospect, it truly is sad how much of the present I … [Read more...]
It would be an unequivocal understatement to say that the month of January has been a momentous one for me in my health journey. It was during the second week of January some 17 years ago, when I got into the bike-car accident that resulted in muscle tears, bone bruises and a vicious cycle of chronic pain, insomnia and stress that eventually triggered the full-blown manifestation of autoimmune, … [Read more...]
Rather than list a myriad of well-meaning resolutions and share a stream of optimistic goals for the upcoming year, I’ve decided to welcome the new year here in a more unconventional manner. One of the greatest endeavors I embarked upon during 2016 was working toward a true recovery of my creative expression. So perhaps it’s not too surprising that I felt inspired to commemorate my journey … [Read more...]
Yesterday, like so many of you, I woke up in a state of shock and sadness. When I got out of bed, it was after hours of insomnia followed by restless sleep of nightmare after nightmare, from which I could not force myself to wake. When I did finally regain consciousness, I was covered in sweat, congested, driven crazy by neuropathic itching and muscle twitching, and feeling disoriented. That … [Read more...]