Power of Secrets...

I wake up to CBC Radio One every morning. My routine usually consists of hitting the snooze button a few times before turning the radio off and getting up. As I said, I "wake up" to the radio; I don't actually listen to it.

This morning, however, a story caught my attention - and I listened. It was about secrets: their power over us and the healing that comes with sharing them. "We're only as sick as our secrets." How many times has that been heard in the rooms of recovery!

The interview was with Frank Warren, author of PostSecret: Extraordinary Confessions from Ordinary Lives. About 13 months ago, he decided to invite people to anonymously send him a postcard and share a secret. What started as an experiment has lead to this book and a blog.

What struck me the most in this interview was the way Warren honours and cherishes the secrets that have been entrusted to him. This is no cheap thrill-seeking endeavour; this is an exercise in creating community... in healing community. Sadly, I have to agree with him when he says the response to his invitation - over 10,000 postcards so far - demonstrates the degree of lonliness that exists in our world, despite our numbers and our access to communication tools.

I remember all too well the relief I felt when I first shared what I felt was a most shameful and freakish secret. My friend did not laugh at me or draw back in horror. She looked at me with love and accepted me fully. Y'know, I don't see that friend that much these days. If nothing else, perhaps she was put on my path for that very moment - a moment of a secret shared and a wound healed.

Indeed, we are only as sick as our secrets.

A Family Affair...

Seems blogging has become a family affair! My sister has chosen to share her Urban Living Experiment in cyberspace. I'm thrilled because my sister is a talented writer and one of the most creative people I know. I enjoy her quirky insight and her ability to see something worth writing about in everyday experiences. I'm sure you will too...

Way to go, Sister-Friend!

PAX

Trying to find an answer...

It's hard being a recovering perfectionist... especially when - in my opinion - all is not perfect. Which, of course, is most of the time. I haven't blogged during the last month because I haven't had the energy to write the "perfect" post. It finally dawned on me how ridiculous that is, so here I am.

I've been off work since December 23rd. The cough-that-would-not-end lead me to a naturopath, and to the discover that I was running on empty. I gave myself permission to acknowledge my fatigue and do what I needed to do. I'm back at work tomorrow with a modified work schedule. I'm nervous and afraid of feeling overwhelmed. I'm still not as sharp as I can be. (Witness me putting the paper towels away in the oven earlier today! :-)) And I still tire easily.

One of the unexpected gifts from this past couple of months has been a sense of empowerment in regards to my health. I've been blessed with good health in the past and I haven't had to pay too much attention. That has changed now... and I'm needing to get more involved in my own healthcare. Turns out my GP isn't interested in anything a naturopath has to say. I'm free to go see "those people" if I want, but GP won't comment on anything that comes from them. According to GP, blood tests came back normal, ergo, there must not be anything wrong with me. Keep catching up on my rest. No suggestions from GP for further medical investigation. Grrrr... Disappointment. Anger. Bewilderment.

So, here goes. I know all is not "normal". Time to own my own health. I'm motivated, but overwhelmed at the thought of venturing into this unknown territory. I've always leaned towards a more natural, wholistic approach to life, so we'll see where this journey leads... Wish me luck!

PAX