I am writing this for those of you who are going through some pain right now.  I am writing this for a friend who has cancer and has days of hurt.  This is for another friend who recently lost her sister and her mother.  This is for the friends who have overcome cancer and still live with the knowing.  For the friend who is not able to adventure right now and who got a puppy to support his own healing. This is for all of us who are going through something not fun.  We humans do not like to feel weak.

When this happens, you may feel diminished, or even weirdly embarrassed about whatever it is you are going through.  My mother told me that when her father died in 1948 she never told anyone, not even her friends.  “It just wasn’t talked about, you didn’t talk about getting sick and definitely not death.”.  I am so glad we have moved forward in communicating our hurts with each other and we now know how healing it is to share our pain.  It helps us heal and it heals those around us as well.  I am honored when someone shares their pain with me.

There can be times when getting through 5 minutes is very difficult.  We can be anxious, scared and just plan sick.  We lament we are not out doing what we want.

I know you are amazing, so rest, be whatever you are, its hard, and its okay.

I want you to know you are still you, you are still a badass and I am impressed by you.

I  know and I wanted to tell you – you are truly not diminished.  You are actually even more impressive.

And, I get you may not have the energy to even feel this.  You are dealing with the very real things of the world.

When things break they say it allows the light to come through.  And damn, when they break it is crazy hard.  Look for that light.

You rock.  Even on your worst days you are a badass and I just wanted you to know that I recognize that in you.

Badass = distinctively tough person.  And yeah, I am going to keep using this word badass because you are that to me (insert another word if you like).

The reality is you can look and feel great driving a harley in a bikini or leathers, that is cool and all, but Badass is on the edge pushing limits living with very tough issues.

Ideas for embracing your badassery while things are really hard:

• Your body or heart may be sick but your brain is not, give your brain jobs to do in service of your healing.  You can employ your brain in the following :
• I believe Nature supports us.  Tune into earth by looking out the window, opening the window, or taking walks.  Place photographs and paintings of nature in your sight, and rocks, feathers, leaves, plants on your table.  Ask earth for support.
• Look for  good energy.  Your energy is low when you are not feeling well and you don’t want to waste your energy on being phony.  Welcome books, movies and people that make you feel good and let go of the ones that don’t.  If it feels down – let it go.  Animals are good energy, play with pets or ask friends to bring theirs if you are up for it.
• Walk in Beauty – spend time every morning looking for one beautiful thing and feel it – be with it.
• Laugh.  Seek out that which makes you laugh!  Goofy animal videos are my favorite.  Ask friends to tell you their funniest stories, watch your fav comedienne.  Laughter can give you a reprieve, a moment of good medicine.

My crazy soulmate and husky, Luzy agrees with me that no matter how bad you feel, you are awesome.  I do not want to diminish your pain, so I tell this story only to make you smile.

Last summer Luzy was doing her usual, sprinting full force through the woods when she caught a splinter in her shin and it embedded there, and as dogs do, she didn’t let on anything was bothering her but she limped – badly.  She needed minor surgery, they found a piece of wood in her and got it out, stitched her and she had to wear a splint for a bit.  Now, this girl likes to move.  I was miserable watching her, but you know what?  She just went with it, calmly and majestically.  She let herself be in pain, sat with it and was actually strong about it.

Then 2 weeks later…
She still had the splint, she was still limping and she leapt out of my car window in the middle of my little village and burst into the Talkeetna Roadhouse. She smelled bacon. I ran in just in time to see a tourist giving her a slice off his plate and taking her picture!  Then she walked back to the car with me with her head high.  So, you go after whatever you want right now, whatever you would like to make yourself feel better, you deserve it.

The badass in this photo is on meds, she’s out of it, in pain, can’t walk and look at her!  There is no doubt she is a powerful force.  This is how I see YOU.  This is the real you.  Take care and I love you.