Such a great post and thank you so much for the shout out and recommendation! As a glass half empty/why me? person for most of my life, gratitude and perspective shifts have been such helpful tools. They help me appreciate what I have and generally avoid going down the self-pity spiral. It's not always easy, but I try to focus on what I'm thankful for as a result of being born with a disability instead of just focusing on how much harder it makes my life. Also, your kitties are absolutely adorable.
Thank you, Jackie! I'm bolstered by writers like you here on Substack, and so I'm grateful for you as well. And thanks for admiring the kitties - I'll tell them you said so 😸
Thanks for this beautiful piece, Amy. I am particularly glad that you are now getting a chance to do more writing and that it brings you joy. I love reading whatever you write - you have a very unique voice that I enjoy. Keep it coming! ❤️
I loved this! You've made me want to do some writing on this topic myself. A year or two ago I would not have been able to view things through this lens, but I think it's important 💛
I'm also grateful (?!) for some of the things I'm doing now that I have Long Covid. I have been wanting to be Self Employed for years, and now I'm putting something together - very slowly, but it's happening.
Now that I seem to be able to Read Books again, this will add more Quality to my life too. 😁
Wanted to add: it's also good to say, "Hey, there IS a silver lining to this shitstorm," because we can get sucked into a doom-loop so easily and forget that life is a giant Paradox at times. ✌
As an unreligious person, I try not to have disdain for those who say “it’s gods will” etc because we are all looking for the same thing - purpose & meaning in the chaos or the pain. I love this because it allows us to accept and grow. I’m not sick now but I’ve certainly been job sick - for a solid two weeks my Apple Watch was warning me of dangerously high heart rate re: work anxiety. We all need to take care of ourselves, but I’m also glad for the struggles leading me to where I am now. I am also glad whatever happened has led you here!! Lastly, please add some books to your Amazon wishlist.... 🙃
I totally agree with you - we’re all looking for that same meaning. I see your high heart rate as a message your body is sending you about your work stress. In what ways have you received the message? 🤔 (I am so sensitive now about people I care about not being run into the ground before they end up with something like I have 🥺).
Books! I honestly can’t add any to the wishlist. Every time I do, it’s the first thing people send me, and my TBR shelf has 30 actual books, while my Kindle has probably at least 20. I have a real problem. I get more of a dopamine hit from buying/getting books than I do from actually reading them 🤦🏼♀️. The truth is, I need the other stuff on the list way more than I need any more books. But no presh! 😘
Thanks for a great post Amy. A really nice reminder/teaching about finding new perspectives on life. And also it warms my heart to know that you are finding happiness and some peace. And I’m so glad you have Franky, and the kitties and the birds ❤️
Such a great post and thank you so much for the shout out and recommendation! As a glass half empty/why me? person for most of my life, gratitude and perspective shifts have been such helpful tools. They help me appreciate what I have and generally avoid going down the self-pity spiral. It's not always easy, but I try to focus on what I'm thankful for as a result of being born with a disability instead of just focusing on how much harder it makes my life. Also, your kitties are absolutely adorable.
Thank you, Jackie! I'm bolstered by writers like you here on Substack, and so I'm grateful for you as well. And thanks for admiring the kitties - I'll tell them you said so 😸
Peeping Tom in a deer suit. 🤣🤣🤣
Beautiful, Amy. xo
Thank you, Sandra 🧡
Thanks for this beautiful piece, Amy. I am particularly glad that you are now getting a chance to do more writing and that it brings you joy. I love reading whatever you write - you have a very unique voice that I enjoy. Keep it coming! ❤️
Thanks so much, Paula!
I loved this! You've made me want to do some writing on this topic myself. A year or two ago I would not have been able to view things through this lens, but I think it's important 💛
Can't wait to read whatever you put out, Naïma! And I'm with you - I couldn't have written a post like this even a year ago.
I'm also grateful (?!) for some of the things I'm doing now that I have Long Covid. I have been wanting to be Self Employed for years, and now I'm putting something together - very slowly, but it's happening.
Now that I seem to be able to Read Books again, this will add more Quality to my life too. 😁
Wanted to add: it's also good to say, "Hey, there IS a silver lining to this shitstorm," because we can get sucked into a doom-loop so easily and forget that life is a giant Paradox at times. ✌
Absolutely! Also: yay, books! 📚
Yes indeed.. “someday, and sometimes, you will know why” and many will be encouraged by your words and experiences💜
Thank you, my dear Jenny 🥰
As an unreligious person, I try not to have disdain for those who say “it’s gods will” etc because we are all looking for the same thing - purpose & meaning in the chaos or the pain. I love this because it allows us to accept and grow. I’m not sick now but I’ve certainly been job sick - for a solid two weeks my Apple Watch was warning me of dangerously high heart rate re: work anxiety. We all need to take care of ourselves, but I’m also glad for the struggles leading me to where I am now. I am also glad whatever happened has led you here!! Lastly, please add some books to your Amazon wishlist.... 🙃
I totally agree with you - we’re all looking for that same meaning. I see your high heart rate as a message your body is sending you about your work stress. In what ways have you received the message? 🤔 (I am so sensitive now about people I care about not being run into the ground before they end up with something like I have 🥺).
Books! I honestly can’t add any to the wishlist. Every time I do, it’s the first thing people send me, and my TBR shelf has 30 actual books, while my Kindle has probably at least 20. I have a real problem. I get more of a dopamine hit from buying/getting books than I do from actually reading them 🤦🏼♀️. The truth is, I need the other stuff on the list way more than I need any more books. But no presh! 😘
Thanks for a great post Amy. A really nice reminder/teaching about finding new perspectives on life. And also it warms my heart to know that you are finding happiness and some peace. And I’m so glad you have Franky, and the kitties and the birds ❤️
And you. I have you too 🧡
This is such a beautiful reminder for all of us. Thank you for so eloquently reminding us of what matters most. ❤️
This means a lot to me, Katrina. Thank you 🧡