“my urge to defend someone triggers a flood of emotion, which in turn leads to frustration and shame over not having a kinder, gentler way to be protective and caring”

I’m finding it really hard to put into words my reaction to this comment. Utter recognition. Mental speechlessness. Awe. My eyes pricking with tears.

Thank you. I look forward to reading more about what you did with this.

Your blog is amazing. I love that you can tell us useful stuff without condescension. Zero condescension. Impressive.

I have been trying to find the first post that talks about your arm pain – does it exist? I want to read it because I’m going through something similar in terms of my body being fragile (my immune system has been very weak for about 1.5 years and it seems to be an emotional thing). I thought that if that post was out there, it would help me. Just like so many other posts of yours I’ve already marked on my Del.i.cious account and emailed to a friend who could highly benefit from them.

Thank you so much for your honesty and vulnerability. For being a person instead of a facade or plastic or a machine.

You are wonderful and are helping us be more wonderful than we already are. It’s all about growth. Growth never stops. And that’s good. We just need to learn how to navigate it, enter Havi!

With love,
An appreciative reader

It is wonderful to see others sharing their experiences with pain, to the benefit of others. So often, in my own process, I feel that pain in simply not acceptable in our culture of “perfect”. In any case, I wrote a series of blog posts(to be found at http://everydayyogini.com/index.php/category/the-path-of-healing/) about my own experience with pain and healing – I am still in the process and will be working with some of the ideas you present here. Thank you!

Everyday Yoginis last blog post..Gatha 2.20.2009

I am a new reader of your posts, and I wanted to tell you how much I have been enjoying your stories. Thank you for being so vulnerable and open.

Henna

I’ve always felt that one of the most fun parts of my day were my dreams. I love processes that highlight the “waking dream” quality of life. It’s so exciting and such a privilege to be allowed to observe your “waking dreams”!

I wonder: you say that your arms hurt from holding on to the need to help everyone, but it is also stopping you from helping, too. Maybe the pain is protecting you from the need to help? Maybe in some ways it wants you to have a Stu between you and the world so that you have time to work on yourself? Just a thought that popped up while reading…no preaching intended. Good luck with your journey. Just think how wonderful it will be to understand. =)

Ericas last blog post..Same old, same old

@Dave: The “sofa in the mind” is the best mental image I’ve had all day. I’m totally going to keep that. May also have to turn your “PBS for the grey matter” into a tagline or something because that is awesome.

@Vicki: Hooray! That’s completely inspiring. I’m glad.

@Gilbert: Thanks for the big ol’ southern bear hug – just when I needed it.

@Avital: That was super interesting to read about how the armor theme is playing out in your life too. I’m glad for the added perspective.

@Cynthia: Wow, huge insight with the backbone thing. What a big thing to realize. I’m right there with you.

Everybody else: I love that you hang out here with me, and I appreciate all of the thoughtful things you share and how kind you are to sit with me as I go through this. So thanks for that. I love reading about whatever everyone else is working on – and find it immensely reassuring that we’re all working on SOMETHING.

I am so grateful that I found you. Reading about your journey inspires me to take a deeper look at my own fear and even consider having a conversation with it!
There is so much I have not been willing to look at yet. You are helping me to see that I can go much, much deeper when I am ready.

Thanks so much for being vulnerable with us. You rock!
Love you and everything you represent,

Vicki