tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556922753650097964.post5884695505515340363..comments2013-06-27T07:57:32.798-07:00Comments on Shackled Spirit - Disability's Spiritual Toll: Mourning, Discipline and ResponsibilityAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732649567223208659noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556922753650097964.post-32259877623294173872012-07-21T00:15:58.533-07:002012-07-21T00:15:58.533-07:00Dia, I am so glad you are writing about this. I k...Dia, I am so glad you are writing about this. I keep saying this on every blog I respond to... there is so much more to this than weight and making a assumption of health. There is a lot of cultural sensitivity that is also lacking as well. One person's version of health or healthy living may not be the same as my family and my culture. We all do what we can in our own limits and with our own desires or goals. You are a incredible person that shows health despite health issues. Health is not just physical, it is mental, emotional and everything else. We have to stop thinking so narrowly and I am glad you posted this to open up the lines of the box we create in our constricted thinking as a community. Thank you.Crystal Blantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15425202278926947223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556922753650097964.post-69525685636512596112012-07-18T10:59:50.118-07:002012-07-18T10:59:50.118-07:00Well said!Well said!Pagan In Paradisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15422524636182532554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556922753650097964.post-12727089236342545162012-07-17T17:42:11.319-07:002012-07-17T17:42:11.319-07:00Thank you Thorn and Tara. Most of my musings are t...Thank you Thorn and Tara. Most of my musings are that...musings. What turns over in the back of my mind as I attempt to deal with my personal journey. Recently I have come to realize that perspective also plays an important part in this type of discussion. What I have learned most though is that no discussion, isolation and ignoring these critical issues is more harmful than compassion viewpoints brought together to help build a better picture of the issues under discussion. I crave that. I believe strongly that open minds, with honest perspective and compassion hearts will bring us the map to unity.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09732649567223208659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556922753650097964.post-31076327903696971322012-07-17T11:23:09.228-07:002012-07-17T11:23:09.228-07:00Lydia, I do what I can for my health when I can. S...Lydia, I do what I can for my health when I can. Such as walking my dog, doing exercises in a chair, calming breath meditation, and affirmations. It also includes taking my medication on time and eating well. I think the hardest part is not berating myself when I "backslide" Sometimes I just can't take as long of a walk as I want to. I've used several puffs on the inhaler and I must go home. (It gets really humid in Missouri even in the morning and evening during the summer.) Sometimes I get wrapped up in other things such as writing or mindless games to deal with my PTSD and I don't do my meditation even though I know in the long run those important exercises will aid in healing my mind.<br /><br />I would like to be smarter about how I shop so I can have more fresh fruits and vegetables to last the month. Also, as you pointed out, community is a very important part of healing and sustaining that spiritual and physical strength. I live in a small town and thought about attending my mother's Christian church since the people are more open minded. But I feared being discovered as a Pagan and causing social issues for her. I don't think she cared though because she is always inviting me. <br /><br />Thorn, I agree it is a tricky topic and it's important that the community deals with it compassionately. From the posts and comments I've read since Sunday, they have been.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09622967471889859591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4556922753650097964.post-22125501557609457852012-07-17T09:28:01.622-07:002012-07-17T09:28:01.622-07:00Lydia,
I've been thinking a lot about the top...Lydia,<br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about the topic of the obesity article and how it is fraught with a combination of privilege and real concern. There are so many factors we need to take into account, and responsibility, discipline and choice are only one axis. An important axis, to be sure, but when we have systemic hurdles to good health from agribusiness and food corporations who have conspired to load the market with cheap, non-nourishing foods that directly impact our health and our communities, we need to remember that personal responsibility is but one part of the equation. <br /><br />Thank you for speaking your truth, and writing of your illness. I have students - all of whom must have some sort of exercise program that is suited to their health and body ability - some of whom struggle from the aftermath of invasive cancer surgery, or imbalanced hormones. They exercise and eat well - often spending money they can ill afford - and are still not thin. Conversely, I know other people who are actively in bad health, some of it from lack of exercise and good food, who are simply not choosing to make the changes that will enable them to even get out of a chair with greater ease. <br /><br />These are tricky topics and we would all do well to bring compassion to the table. <br /><br />Please write more when you have the energy.Interfaith Tent for Justicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13324169684433454016noreply@blogger.com