I look forward to your posts. You are an incredible writer. There is a wonderful vulnerability and strength in you that comes out in your writing that I dont often see in other blog posts. I identify with your perspectives and how shifting and shame are a part of us - and it can be paralyzing to move beyond what is in front of us unless we say it out loud. Bravo!
Thanks for writing so eloquently on change. I find the speed of change in my late 70’s daunting. Now it’s my body, my brain my friends and my husband. Adjusting is hard; trying not to project the future is a daily practice. Living in the moment relishing every beautiful day. Knowing my days are numbered. Asking what do I still want to accomplish? For right now it’s working on legislation to pass “ Medical Aid In Dying legislation” in Minnesota . It would be a major accomplishment.
Ladonna-thank you for writing so honestly- your words, oh how I appreciate them this morning. Your writing gathered so many of my thoughts/feelings/worries and put them on a page so that I could read them. Thank you so much for putting ordinary words in a wonderfully specific order, your are masterful.
I am very grateful for your email. Without going into every point which encourages or informs me I will simply say Thank You for talking about the shame that starts around puberty. I have only recently begun to acknowledge this in myself although I have *lived* it for many decades. At 69, I am finally releasing the shame and reestablishing the trust in myself which was natural in childhood.
I feel *seen* by reading your observations on this.
I am re-thankful, with every single post you write, that I stumbled upon this beautiful little nook in the internet. It is elegant, cozy, thoughtful, and inspiring. Bravo to shining a torch on your shame. May it wither and die in the blast of bright light. And may you have the energy and string constitution to make the positive changes you deserve to care for future you. I have always loathed exercise and restraint in dining. I like to enjoy and explore and am happy to burn calories whilst doing so. But last year someone referred to working out as “self care” and I had never viewed it in that way before. The mental shift has really changed my perspective. I still kinda suck at sticking to a routine, but I know I need it and when I fall off one wagon of routine, I have been able to climb aboard another. I know my future self appreciates me riding my bike or swimming or doing yoga or whatever I am into that week. ALSO, I know we share a fear of dementia and that has been my driving force to make myself move- the link to exercise in avoiding it. I’ll be cheering you on and thinking of you when I force myself to do my HIIT workout.
All of this resonates like I’m riding on the same guitar string. Wishing you and your family the steady build-up of the mountain of good by your new, different measure.
As always, your writing resonates with me. You have captured many of my own feelings about my body, my brain, the unsettledness of moving from the country of my birth, of both needing to shift things in a big way and the shakiness I feel as I make these choices.
Thank you for this! It is inspiring to hear your story and your perspective is always insightful and helpful. I'm enjoying the shift into Fall here in Setubal and although I'm still discombobulated ( also a favorite and right now often used word) I'm beginning to see the potential for my professional life here - a glimmer.
Think of all the feelings your writing touches in all of us who read your thoughtful words…not just your feelings, but our feelings as well. Shared feelings if you will. And that, is good! More good becomes a lot of good, perhaps even better 😏
Because reading your words about your feelings makes me feel better…it even makes me feel good!
I look forward to your posts. You are an incredible writer. There is a wonderful vulnerability and strength in you that comes out in your writing that I dont often see in other blog posts. I identify with your perspectives and how shifting and shame are a part of us - and it can be paralyzing to move beyond what is in front of us unless we say it out loud. Bravo!
Such a beautiful piece of writing, I'm always looking forward to your new posts. Thank you!
Thanks for writing so eloquently on change. I find the speed of change in my late 70’s daunting. Now it’s my body, my brain my friends and my husband. Adjusting is hard; trying not to project the future is a daily practice. Living in the moment relishing every beautiful day. Knowing my days are numbered. Asking what do I still want to accomplish? For right now it’s working on legislation to pass “ Medical Aid In Dying legislation” in Minnesota . It would be a major accomplishment.
Ladonna-thank you for writing so honestly- your words, oh how I appreciate them this morning. Your writing gathered so many of my thoughts/feelings/worries and put them on a page so that I could read them. Thank you so much for putting ordinary words in a wonderfully specific order, your are masterful.
I am very grateful for your email. Without going into every point which encourages or informs me I will simply say Thank You for talking about the shame that starts around puberty. I have only recently begun to acknowledge this in myself although I have *lived* it for many decades. At 69, I am finally releasing the shame and reestablishing the trust in myself which was natural in childhood.
I feel *seen* by reading your observations on this.
Many thanks♥️🌻
I am re-thankful, with every single post you write, that I stumbled upon this beautiful little nook in the internet. It is elegant, cozy, thoughtful, and inspiring. Bravo to shining a torch on your shame. May it wither and die in the blast of bright light. And may you have the energy and string constitution to make the positive changes you deserve to care for future you. I have always loathed exercise and restraint in dining. I like to enjoy and explore and am happy to burn calories whilst doing so. But last year someone referred to working out as “self care” and I had never viewed it in that way before. The mental shift has really changed my perspective. I still kinda suck at sticking to a routine, but I know I need it and when I fall off one wagon of routine, I have been able to climb aboard another. I know my future self appreciates me riding my bike or swimming or doing yoga or whatever I am into that week. ALSO, I know we share a fear of dementia and that has been my driving force to make myself move- the link to exercise in avoiding it. I’ll be cheering you on and thinking of you when I force myself to do my HIIT workout.
But you write so well! It’s refreshing. I also follow Shanna, and the two of you have enhanced our move to Portugal so much- thank you!
All of this resonates like I’m riding on the same guitar string. Wishing you and your family the steady build-up of the mountain of good by your new, different measure.
As always, your writing resonates with me. You have captured many of my own feelings about my body, my brain, the unsettledness of moving from the country of my birth, of both needing to shift things in a big way and the shakiness I feel as I make these choices.
Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to and love reading your updates.
Thank you for this! It is inspiring to hear your story and your perspective is always insightful and helpful. I'm enjoying the shift into Fall here in Setubal and although I'm still discombobulated ( also a favorite and right now often used word) I'm beginning to see the potential for my professional life here - a glimmer.
Beautifully written….Poignant and movingly honest. Thank you for that and for sharing your writing with all of us.
Think of all the feelings your writing touches in all of us who read your thoughtful words…not just your feelings, but our feelings as well. Shared feelings if you will. And that, is good! More good becomes a lot of good, perhaps even better 😏
Because reading your words about your feelings makes me feel better…it even makes me feel good!
Wow, I am touch by your honesty. These are exacts thoughts most of us are thinking and can't put into words as eloquently as you do. Obrigida
Fascinating. Thanks for sharing your life -- and your writing -- with so many people through Portugal Living Magazine!