Learning and understanding

I was asked, as many people were, what I would like to see in the new year.  Being able to explain it simply was challenging... then I watched Doctor Who, and found the answer.  I’ve paraphrased to be more reflective of my thoughts, and I hope that this makes sense.  I also hope that it touches something in you, and that you find meaning. I would like, in the years ahead, if we can agree on some essential items: Be brave, and face the challenges of life.  Never be cowardly, especially when it’s easier. Understand that the important things in life are the intangibles.  We can always make more money, buy new things and replace what’s worn out.  We can’t buy time with loved ones or do-over events that have passed.   Hatred is always, always foolish and wrong.  Never act out of hate. Anger may be justified, but never make a decision while angry, especially one that affects others. Forgive those who hurt you, so that you can be free of negativity. Remain always curious and creati

It’s almost the end of 2017, and soon the news will be recaps of the past 12 months.  It’s also the time when Christmas newsletters arrive either by post (more rarely now) or online. This year has been another challenging one for me.  It’s not quite an annus horibilis , but it’s certainly not fun. In December last year, my doctor confirmed that the “something” that showed on my scans was a recurrence and spread of my cancer into 2 locations.  This year therefore started with radiation treatments, which were not as hard on me as the last time, but which certainly sapped my strength.  I went home to Trinidad in March and did some recuperating, and returned to work until June, when my doctor advised that I would have to stop working and focus on my health. I fought that ruling, arguing that there were some projects that were dear to me that I wanted to finish... and I lost that battle.  I started chemotherapy in June, and worked with therapists to help me cope with the massive loss

This is not about cancer or illness.  It’s something else that is insidious, though. I was having lunch with some girlfriends recently, and we were pleasantly surprised to find how similar our teen years were despite the fact that we were all from countries thousands of miles apart with no obvious links.  We all grew up having crushes on rock stars; being obsessed with fashion and all specialized in science at school.  We also had moments when we were “different” from the rest of the crowd.  What we shared was the times when we were in groups where size — specifically weight and measurements — were the important things.  Sad, isn’t it, that women around the world are taught that their worth relates to their looks? It seems that women around the world all share moments of insecurity about our bodies.  It’s not made any easier when we’re going through sanctioned hatred.  One thing that is in common for all of us are “women’s” magazines, which feature the same articles in every issue:

In the past few weeks, I’ve been invited to at least 5 sessions on mindfulness.   That may be the universe trying to give me a message! As we’re starting the Advent season, the readings for each day focus on waiting, preparedness and the “end of days” — the end of the world.  It’s interesting, because this links to the concept of mindfulness in a meaningful way also. There are times when I slip into “what if...” and wonder how different life would be had I made other choices.  (Cue George Michael’s “ A Different Corner ” here!). There are people who spend most of their lives living in the past, full of regrets, bitterness, anger and disappointment.  But the past is fixed, closed and dead.  Nothing that we do will make the smallest change to what has happened, and we miss so much of what is happening if we spend our lives constantly reviewing the past. Then there are times when I think, “once I get to ,” that things will change drastically.  They don’t, and it’s disappointing.  I