Affirmations were introduced by French therapist Emile Coué who recommended his patients repeat the phrase, “Every day in every way, I’m getting better and better” (English translation). The practice was to repeat the phrase 20 times each morning and evening. The frequent repetition, called “conscious autosuggestion,” was thought to change…
Phillip and I were back for my 3 month checkup yesterday. I completed blood work on Tuesday and felt calm about where I was at. I’ve had some fatigue, but nothing dramatic. Life was moving along as life does so I assumed my kidney was following suit. During my January…
As people, we are a searching breed. We search through business accomplishments, spirituality, relationships, food, material possessions and any variety of ways you can imagine. We yearn for connection, security and purpose. We want to feel hopeful, inspired and passionate. Sometimes we are wildly successful. We bask in gratitude and…
I’m not exactly sure when this habit started, but I know that it was initially tied to my corporate career. In order to keep what needed to get done organized, I created a very, very simple system that has worked for years. With chronic illness, sometimes thinking, memory and focus…
The term “let go” has been tossed around in self-help circles a lot. Usually as in, “just let it go.” This vague term is used as a prescription for decreasing stress. Because it is fuzzy, it is can also be a frustrating statement. Prompting the response, “if I could just…
Something I have been contemplating for a while finally became crystal clear last night. I could not wait to share. The placebo effect is fascinating. In clinical trials, participants are typically divided into two groups. One group is given active treatment, and another group is given treatment that looks like…
Sometimes when you are coping with illness it is nice to have somewhere to escape to. Maybe you can’t always physically go to someplace you love, but you can certainly take a mini-vacation just by closing your eyes. I have a cherished spot in my imagination that I have crafted…
Life is very up in the air for me and Phillip right now. Everything from where we will be in two months, to our careers, to my health, to our finances is unsettled. Normally this would really freak me out. I love, love, love to plan. I’ve been writing affirmations…
Yes, I procrastinate. At least a little bit every single day. I let the laundry pile up. I haven’t washed the windows in goodness knows how long. I’ve got a huge to-do list and nothing is getting done. Well, except for writing about nothing getting done. Procrastination is a flaw…
At 10PM I opened my internet browser. I guess I was bored. I remembered something my doctor had said and I wanted to investigate. We were discussing kidney disease research and diet. He mentioned that because my kidney issues came from a congenital disorder my case was unique and that…