Absolutely resonates in every way, all the descriptors here about calcification, oysters and self-protection. You write so elegantly and clearly about this experience yet I remain so sorry that you had to go through all this at all. Thank you for sharing Karen. A brave and *heart-felt* prompt response!
Thank you for sharing this, and I am so glad that you have a grateful, healed heart now! I've not had heart surgery, but I have a heart murmur. Sometimes it beats double or extra hard, and it almost feels like my heart is saying, "Pay attention to me!" I often take my heart for granted, so thank you for this post - I paused this morning to take a deep breath with my hands over my heart in a moment of gratitude. (I'm also working through Suleika Jaouad’s Book of Alchemy as well!) Hugs, my friend. 💜❤️🩹
Molly — my aortic valve stenosis was only discovered because an astute PA listened to my heart murmur. So get your heart checked out. Pay attention and listen to it. Get an echocardiogram.
And how synchronistic that you are working through the Book of Alchemy too !
Listen to your beautiful heart, Molly …. It has been through so much. 💕
I've noticed as I've gotten older, it is indeed the hidden parts of our bodies that have been the most neglected. As humans, it is our nature to ignore the things we can't see, even though we know they exist. Take heart, dear friend! Acknowledging your heart is the beginning of the journey.
Perhaps the beginning , middle and end as well, who knows ? I’m so grateful for my knowledge of the unseen now… finding out more every day , especially through reading amazing and inspiring writing here on Substack !
Just received the book. Thanks for the nudge. I won’t be catching up, but I know I will enjoy the meandering and moments of clarity. But then, we never catch up, not even to ourselves, which only means we are here and alive, and I’m thankful for that!
We don’t really ever have to catch up, do we? (There is no catching up , there is only now 🙂) I miss days here and there but knowing I have the project ongoing is a little gift for myself, like a touchstone.
YEs Karen! Healing our broken parts that manifest on the physical is our yoga in this life, it seems! And it seems too none of us skate through this journey without some kind of fall out showing up in our bodies, usually in the later years. I've had my share and continue to. "The body keeps the score", right? It's our job to listen and heed its messages...
I have (multiple) copies of Suliekas' book and have every intention to get to her prompts (soon!) As soon as I can get my memoir off my plate! HAHA! (and that's a long way off!)
Well, your post here makes me think "soon" is now! No time like the present!
🩵 thank you Jodi.. the time I spend on SS and my Book of Alchemy project balances out the memoir project. Not sure if I'll ever come to fruition-- it's an ongoing journey
Triple bypass, 3 years later a stent. Aortic valve replacement coming at some point. I read your article about The Book of Alchemy and it arrived earlier this week. Can't wait to get started.
Ahh, best of luck, Walker. ❤️🩹 I'm so glad you have The Book of Alchemy! It's a valuable asset and makes me slow down each day, helps me stop thinking about the horrid stuff happening all around us.
Thank you, Karen. I'm enjoying your essays based on the book. I'm debating if it would just be another project I don't finish and hangs over me 🙄
Ah yes, the fickle heart, so strong yet so tender. I had 3 cardioversions two weeks ago for digestive related AFib. Perhaps I should write on this prompt and see what comes up.
Even if you choose not to engage or write to the prompts, just reading the book from time to time, or daily , is a wonderful gift to yourself , Tania !
Absolutely resonates in every way, all the descriptors here about calcification, oysters and self-protection. You write so elegantly and clearly about this experience yet I remain so sorry that you had to go through all this at all. Thank you for sharing Karen. A brave and *heart-felt* prompt response!
Thank you for sharing this, and I am so glad that you have a grateful, healed heart now! I've not had heart surgery, but I have a heart murmur. Sometimes it beats double or extra hard, and it almost feels like my heart is saying, "Pay attention to me!" I often take my heart for granted, so thank you for this post - I paused this morning to take a deep breath with my hands over my heart in a moment of gratitude. (I'm also working through Suleika Jaouad’s Book of Alchemy as well!) Hugs, my friend. 💜❤️🩹
Molly — my aortic valve stenosis was only discovered because an astute PA listened to my heart murmur. So get your heart checked out. Pay attention and listen to it. Get an echocardiogram.
And how synchronistic that you are working through the Book of Alchemy too !
Listen to your beautiful heart, Molly …. It has been through so much. 💕
I've noticed as I've gotten older, it is indeed the hidden parts of our bodies that have been the most neglected. As humans, it is our nature to ignore the things we can't see, even though we know they exist. Take heart, dear friend! Acknowledging your heart is the beginning of the journey.
Perhaps the beginning , middle and end as well, who knows ? I’m so grateful for my knowledge of the unseen now… finding out more every day , especially through reading amazing and inspiring writing here on Substack !
So glad you and your heart are here!!
😍
Just received the book. Thanks for the nudge. I won’t be catching up, but I know I will enjoy the meandering and moments of clarity. But then, we never catch up, not even to ourselves, which only means we are here and alive, and I’m thankful for that!
We don’t really ever have to catch up, do we? (There is no catching up , there is only now 🙂) I miss days here and there but knowing I have the project ongoing is a little gift for myself, like a touchstone.
Ha! Yes, of course.
YEs Karen! Healing our broken parts that manifest on the physical is our yoga in this life, it seems! And it seems too none of us skate through this journey without some kind of fall out showing up in our bodies, usually in the later years. I've had my share and continue to. "The body keeps the score", right? It's our job to listen and heed its messages...
I have (multiple) copies of Suliekas' book and have every intention to get to her prompts (soon!) As soon as I can get my memoir off my plate! HAHA! (and that's a long way off!)
Well, your post here makes me think "soon" is now! No time like the present!
Congrats on healing your heart! 💖💖💖
🩵 thank you Jodi.. the time I spend on SS and my Book of Alchemy project balances out the memoir project. Not sure if I'll ever come to fruition-- it's an ongoing journey
Triple bypass, 3 years later a stent. Aortic valve replacement coming at some point. I read your article about The Book of Alchemy and it arrived earlier this week. Can't wait to get started.
Ahh, best of luck, Walker. ❤️🩹 I'm so glad you have The Book of Alchemy! It's a valuable asset and makes me slow down each day, helps me stop thinking about the horrid stuff happening all around us.
Amen to that. I’m taking a watercolor class to get out of my head. Tough times
Thank you, Karen. I'm enjoying your essays based on the book. I'm debating if it would just be another project I don't finish and hangs over me 🙄
Ah yes, the fickle heart, so strong yet so tender. I had 3 cardioversions two weeks ago for digestive related AFib. Perhaps I should write on this prompt and see what comes up.
Even if you choose not to engage or write to the prompts, just reading the book from time to time, or daily , is a wonderful gift to yourself , Tania !