Cracks

Hello Readers,

My sisters and I are reading The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown as a book club. At the end of today's reading Brene stated the following quote “There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in” from a song by Leonard Cohen Anthem (Leonard Cohen). I like this positive spin on the tough things in life that may cause us to crack.

This image of a crack made me think of this Japanese meme I saw recently that says,

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold — a metaphor for embracing your flaws and imperfections. “You won't realize your full potential until you go through the tough times,” Kumai says. With that said, Kintsugi takes work and awareness in order for it to truly be healing. If and when we crack the light comes through and we can let it show us the way to healing.

 

Finally, I had my own realization of how this could also relate to climbing up a steep mountain (or living life) and how a climber relies on the cracks to find footing and handles. I relate this to mental health and how when we know where the cracks are in the path we can make adjustments that allow us to find our way to the top. Just like physical health, mental health is important for all of us to be aware of and know what our own unique prescription or path is.

I have been struggling lately with some of my regular physical goals mainly around making good eating choices. I hope to have a better report soon as I know only I am able to decide how I climb this mountain. I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving.

As always thanks for reading.

Stay well,

Amy BH

Hiding and Remembering

 Dear Readers,

I love celebrating anniversaries, my parents set a great example for marking certain years of their over 50 years of marriage. Some years they would go on trips and one year they even had a ceremony planned to renew their vows and exchange new wedding bands. I am finding it difficult this year to process certain things as we move into the Christmas season. The sound of holiday songs, for example, reminds me of difficulties I was facing a year ago. My first instinct is to hide but instead, I will try to celebrate all that has been accomplished in a year.

Hiding from posting is what I did last week but this week I am feeling much better. I learned from Gretchen Rubin that it is common for people with my tendency as an obliger (Four Tendencies: upholder, rebel, obliger, questioner) to sometimes deny themselves what brings them joy. I do this! One reason I know that writing & blogging brings me joy is that I lose track of time doing it, and yet I often drag myself to the computer having trouble getting started. Does this make sense? Can anyone relate to this? I do the same with listening to music that brings me joy, I don't do it. This leads me to the Gold Star of the week -- 

Gold Star to musician Jake Wesley Rogers with thanks to Brene Brown for introducing me. His lyrics are deep and relatable while his music is both sensitive and head slamming. In the interview with BB, he won me over with his intelligence attached to a gentle, kind, and humble spirit. (His songs and manner give off a bit of an Elton John vibe.) Below are two of his songs. Warning - language 

Pluto (Hate On Me)

Middle of Love

Stay well!

Thanks for reading,

Amy BH