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Xanda Monteiro's avatar

Belated happy birthday, and really nice to meet you today at the shout out. I was touched by your story having experienced a health draw back that almost killed in 2001. I shall write about it too on my Haiku Newsletter coming soon. In answer to your question of what makes me happy is precisely something you also mention: empowerment comes from within. I became a dedicated meditator to get to know my mind and therefore myself. Most challenging and rewarding. Could not go back to the way I lived before I gave myself and my life the attention it needed.

My question is : is it always true that this realization only comes to us humans when we are about to die?

Really happy for you and your family that you survived it. you sounded very upbeat on our zoom gathering. I could not have imagined that all this is so recent in your experience and that you joined the shout out today. Like we say in Ireland, fair play to you! I also am on the third week of COVID-19 and still have trouble breathing although writing and sitting chatting to people is doable, carrying shopping bags and climb stairs is still difficult.

Wishing you a complete recovery and looking forward to walk along side your journey through your newsletter.

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LaNysha Adams, PhD's avatar

Many thanks, Xanda! I am eager to read about your experience, too. I have loved haiku's (and tankas) ever since I was first introduced to them in middle school.

I don't think this realization comes to us when we are about to die. Personally, I have been writing about this concept for years and with that experience, I feel as though it helped to deepen my understanding. There is something to be said about near death or actual death experiences (and being revitalized miraculously) adding a depth to your understanding about life, what truly matters, and why we waste so much time on things that are BS. I think so much of what we believe is unquestioned. When you are about to die OR you "return," you realize there's so little time that you must question and choose well for as long as you can. I've always seen every day as a gift. Now, every fiber of my being knows how true it is for life to be a gift.

I've been wanting to move beyond open-eyed meditation and get into other forms and breath-work but do not know where to start.

Wishing you a recovery, too! I read too much about long-COVID and for some of us, it is a more terrible experience than for others.

Looking forward to staying connected. 💕

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John Trigueiro's avatar

Happy belated birthday!

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LaNysha Adams, PhD's avatar

🙏🏾 So grateful to have you carrying the torch on this journey. So inspired by your story, progress, and continued faith in all good things ahead.

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Laurie Baty's avatar

My friend! Happy birthday and happy blog. I’ve not read before but it’s wonderful.

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LaNysha Adams, PhD's avatar

Many thanks, Laurie! I appreciate your feedback and I'm overjoyed that you like it.

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Iynna Baker's avatar

I'm so grateful for your testimony. I'm so glad you are doing well and on the road to recovery. Goes to show that your work here is not done. You still have so much to bless us with.

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LaNysha Adams, PhD's avatar

Thank you Iynna! Whew! So much work to be done and I am so happy I get to continue on this wild journey we call life.

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Lauren Taylor's avatar

I'm so glad you came through to celebrate your next birthday and hopefully many more! xxooL

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LaNysha Adams, PhD's avatar

Lauren, indeed! We should have an in-person writing session once it warms up. 🙌🏾

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