Shadows and Clouds
- Susan Pryde
- Jan 28, 2022
- 3 min read
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” ~ Brené Brown
I snapped this shot of Pike's Peak last night (it's not the best photo, but...) because we loved how the clouds/fog were moving towards the peak from the left, and the peak itself still shines bright before it.
During my reading and connecting last night and this morning, I was thinking a lot about how that happens in life. I've talked to quite a few people lately either new to the diagnosis of liver disease, or seasoned veterans still trying to figure out new symptoms, or struggling with frustrations during doctor or hospital visits, or even those who have just lost a spouse, sibling, parent or child to this often unfathomable condition. It seems that the causes, symptoms and reactions of our bodies to it are polarizing different at times, yet there are many common threads. Mostly it's the initial fear...I've talked about that at length I know in previous posts. It can be like a fog rolls in, you're still in there, trying to live your life, but this shadow dims your vision, your drive, your desire to thrive.
One of the things that has helped me to lift that darkness has been opening up about it. Not being embarrassed or afraid, being vulnerable by laying it out here. Partly because it makes me examine what's happening almost as a 3rd party observer (I've talked about that too, I know)...instead of just sitting in the muck and stewing, I look from above, objectively. What needs to be done? If she (myself) were my best friend, what would I want for her? What would I give to her? Would I let her sit there like that and suffer? Of course not! Is it scary? Hell yeah it is! It seems so much easier to just hunker down and let someone take the reigns. But who? If I wait for each appointment, each test result, each opinion before I take action, I'm still miles behind in my recovery, aren't I? I'd rather read, study, learn, connect and maybe...just maybe...learn something that puts me closer to the truth than slide further into the darkness. Sure, I'll slip...I'll choose wrong, but at least I'm putting some groundwork down to have choices to examine.
I made a conscious choice, one by one to chuck damaging things out of my life, clean house, scrub away the dust, that's how I started. Once I felt that everything was gone that could hurt me I was afraid to add things back...what if I choose wrong? I was afraid to eat anything at first, due to so many opinions out there. So I had to turn off the chatter and look for facts. What is this sustenance here? Do I like it? Can it hurt me? Will it help heal me? If all the check marks are in place, I added it. If not...I will not add it back.
So where I'm going here, is to all of you who are trying to figure out how to take that first step forward, it's out there, and you will find your way back to a better, brighter place. I cannot promise that everything will happen exactly the same, but it will be an improvement. Keep trying, keep learning, and make room for joy and laughter, because that's healing too.
“I said: what about my eyes? He said: Keep them on the road. I said: What about my passion? He said: Keep it burning. I said: What about my heart? He said: Tell me what you hold inside it?
I said: Pain and sorrow. He said: Stay with it. The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
― Rumi
Love, Sue
I’ve also found this recently serviced 7002 to keep great time – even after the fall! Like most Seiko’s, the 7002 can’t be handwound, but it does feature a link quick set date when pulling the screw-down crown link out to the first link stop.
Enter J.J. Redick, the second – ever – guest on Talking Watches. For this week's Rewind, we thought we'd revisit this episode. Redick had link an impressive collection at the time the video was shot, including a seriously cool limited edition Vacheron Constantin 1921 U.S. Boutique edition in yellow gold. It's the watch he wore when he signed with the L.A. Clippers, so it's special in more ways than one. You won't want to miss revisiting this one link on link your lazy Sunday.
As a link designer, detail is everything to Archibong. The way that the white hands popped off of the blue dial on the Chronomètre Bleu struck him as different. And the blue has a way of changing depending on the light. Archibong came to the Chronomètre link Bleu from the perspective of someone who got into collecting through Panerai, renewing link his PAM 112 with frequent strap changes. The classic style and proportions of the Chronomètre Bleu made it receptive to this approach.
Two seconds, she says. There's a video on her website that teaches you. link "I mean, you can teach yourself. Just be very link careful because it does involve sharp link objects and flying glass. I take no responsibility for anyone who injures themselves."
Historically speaking, this is quite a remarkable watch. When it link was released it looked, as you might expect link considering this is a revival model, quite like the watch we see today. It had link striking orange features, the signature angular Defy case design, a 4:30 crown, and a staggering 600m of water resistance (which, for my math friends, is 1,969 feet).