It feels like I’ve been sick for almost all of 2026 so far. For the first 3 weeks I felt very grumpy about it - trapped indoors, antsy, and bored out of my mind. After a brief reprieve towards the end of January, I somehow got sick AGAIN (I didn’t even know adults could get strep throat).
This second round I have been trying something new. I am trying to be compassionate towards my poor body. It’s suffering! It’s trying so hard to get better! It’s doing its best! I try to offer it (me) some gentle loving-kindness.
This is a little intense, but I also think back to the meditation retreat I attended on befriending mortality. Every passing moment moves me towards the end of my life. Bodies are meant to decay. As I get older I cannot expect my body to function the way it did when I was younger. Releasing myself from that unfair standard brings me more ease.
I don’t know if this has made a difference in how quickly I’m recovering, but I hope so. I did go see my doctor this time, which definitely has helped. At the very least, I feel more peace in my present moment.
Sometimes there isn’t anything we can do to hurry through the hard parts. In those moments, I can only practice how to accompany myself with love.
Take care,
Naomi
Announcements/Resources:
I have an opening in my caseload for an individual client. Reach out today to see if we’d be a good fit.
Some recent delights:
If you know me personally you might have heard me wax poetic about Rancho Gordo beans. I received The Bean Book for Christmas and perusing it during my meals brings me so much joy.
My niece now asks to call me daily before dinner. My heart!
On a recent run in Marin I found a few silly unexpected things on the trails, like santas in a bathtub (see above).