catharsis
Catharsis refers to the purification of emotions, particularly through artistic expression, leading to an emotional state of renewal and restoration.
I know, I know. My blog posts have been extremely sporadic over the years. I just realized that my most recent post was as far back as July 2023. Which happened to be exactly one month before my life took an unexpected turn. Most of you already know, but for those of you that don’t, on August 9, 2023 I was admitted to the hospital for bilateral pneumonia and other related infections. Word to the wise, do not ignore chest congestion (or your husband’s warnings “insert eyeroll here”) especially if you’re dealing with mobility challenges. Long story short, I spent a month in ICU and three more months in an acute care facility while being weaned off of a ventilator. It’s quite literally a miracle that I’m here to tell the story and able to breathe on my own. However, it’s taken me this long to share my experiences with you. And this is as far as it goes. Someday I’ll tell you about the many miracles that brought me to this place—it’s pretty astonishing.
Today I just want to reignite my passion for writing and sharing stories with my readers. I recently ran across an interview from a writer’s conference that I participated in prior to spending the fall of ‘23 in the white hotel. The interview reminded me of the reasons I need to get back into blogging. If not for you, for me. I need to regain the perspective that I discovered post contracting Transverse Myelitis (TM) 30 years ago. Joy is starting to wiggle its way back into my life, but what better way to feel whole again than to focus on positive experiences.
Here are a few excerpts from the interview with LDSPMA that inspired me to write again. And develop a new goal of returning to my previous, yet refined, normal.
What keeps you inspired in your daily creative work?
I really hope my messages reach individuals facing adversity. Life can be full of joy regardless of our circumstances as long as we allow ourselves to turn things over to our Heavenly Father. Since the onset of TM I’ve experienced His love and recognized His hand in my life more than ever. The world actually opened up to me and I’ve grown in ways I didn’t think possible. I want to share those experiences with others and maybe lift a few heads in the process.
In what ways do you feel you have been able to be a voice for good in your creative pursuits?
My stories tend to focus on the positive aspects of my life, and I find humor in almost everything that happens to me. By sharing these perspectives in my writing and the podcasts I’ve participated in I’ve been able to demonstrate that we can always find a way to view life from a glass half-full vantage point.
This last trial has really thrown me for a loop—physically and emotionally. I have numerous friends and family to thank for my ongoing recovery, especially my ever-present husband (that will also be a story for another day). For now, I’m looking forward to sharing some positive experiences with you and seeing my life from the glass half-full perspective again. I’m grateful to the Lord for tapping me on the shoulder and reminding me how that looks.
