Fragile

@Cuddlebear Lovely to get to know you too. It takes courage to live in a sighted world and I know you have other physical challenges. Tenacity comes to mind. Let us know how your housing situation evolves. Wishing you the best.

I am going for a walk. Glad I can walk, but saddened, as no matter how hard I try, the social world befuddles me.

🙈🤷‍♀️

Hi @Appleblossom

Wishing you joy...

I saw mention Richard Rohr had a stroke last week at 90. Not sure of outcome or prognosis.

And I was going to give you a link to a paper Blue Knot recommended... a big review and metaanalysis on loneliness and concluding working on our own cognition makes a difference... but saw it was 15 years old. I can find it again if you like.

Cheers

Good to hear from you @Dimity

yes, I heard about Richard Rohr. One of the GOOD souls. I recently visited a retired minister but he was resting and so all I did was sit and listened to his laboured breathing, then left a note. He is also in his 90s and on the last lap, but a good man. I felt privileged for the intimacy. Another from our church also came to the aged care while I was there.

I mentioned loneliness today, whilst out walking, but I also am a person who needs solitude, rather than too much empty chat. Which is why I appreciate you. Yes, please share the link. It doesn’t really have to be the latest, the perennial path of wisdom has been going for a long time.

@Appleblossom I trust your friend has a quiet and easy passage crossing the bar. It's good his friends are rallying.

The link is https://pmc.ncbi.nih.gov/articles/PMC3865701

Onward... consulting a solicitor this afternoon. Putting my affairs in order and hoping to see a path through the family maze.

@Appleblossom Hello my friend. How are you today and how was your walk yesterday?

I have good news we signed a new lease today after real estate contacted late yesterday to say we were successful in a little 2 bedroom unit. I’ve spent all day having to do paperwork for it but got it done. Applied for bond loan and rent in advance from housing place. Hopefully they hurry to do.

Thank you for understanding how hard it can be to live in sighted world. I try hard to not let it get to me but sometimes it does. I’m thankful NDIS helps it had improved my life for me.

The social world can be befuddling. I like that word you used befuddling. When social connection goes well it feels so good doesn’t it but when it doesn’t it can affect us a lot. It is very beautiful when we make real good friends. I have one very wonderful friend who I enjoy seeing. We support each other like family. The local mental health place nearby are going to put me in a program where I can meet some people and someone take me out for some lunch a couple times a week. can be very show and worry about people not liking me so I’ll take small steps. Do you also worry about what people think?

down the garden path…. Sometimes is the right way to go… not always…lol

@Cuddlebear we have a blind man in our yearly music festival. I ran into him at the airport once, and was glad he could travel on his own with good staff assistance.

That is fabulous news you have a place. 2 br should work well. Keep us in the loop.

yes, yes, about socialising. I am working on it a lot this year. Maybe next year, I will keep generally socially engaged, but I am not impressed honestly, with the amount of work I have to put in, and people’s lack of integrity. I need to be more cagey about who and what I share and be more discerning… not overly open until they have really earned it. I think I was too vulnerable too early and too needy, even though I am pretty independent. Anyway I am grateful for the friendships I do have, but make very sure I don’t lean on them too often. Anyway, always a work in progress.

thanks @Dimity will check it out soon

@Cuddlebear I'm thrilled for you.

@Appleblossom Oh, a creative writing piece! What does it explore? Please feel free to share some of it with us, I am sure the community would love to see what you're working on.

Your psychologist sounds like a perfect match for you. What psychotherapeutic approaches do you enjoy exploring? I can hear you are very well-educated about mental health.

That's very kind of you to say! I enjoy being as person-centered as I can be. 🥰

Oh my goodness - you are multifacted to say the least. Do you have an instrument you enjoy playing the most? Ah, so you've got a good mix and chest voice, by the sounds of it. I don't know if I told you, but I studied music theatre & writing at uni (still do some performing things here and there), so I love hearing about all of this stuff - feel free to nerd out on me haha

My first job was singing in a cathedral choir when I was 7. Choirs really are magical, I am sure you are healing parts of yourself every time you are in those spaces.

Conducting too! Okay, that is something I have never tried. Very impressed.

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, that must have been so heartbreaking... how do you honour his memory? 💛

@Cuddlebear I am SO happy you found a place, that must be such a huge relief for you. When do you plan to move? 🤩

@Dimity link did not work. Can you describe the study a little so I can do a google search?

It’s huge to take the step of seeing a lawyer. I made a will, but as I get older, I should probably get a lawyer, in case things get tricky.

family mazes and responsibilities…. Weary sigh.

hugs. Gotta go finish beef soup