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Kristin Shannon's avatar

Hi Nancy. Would that finding that bit of serenity were easier! We live in what many of us would categorize as trying times. I think that’s when it’s hardest to concentrate on that exhale, but also most necessary. You’ve got this.

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Nancy Humphreys's avatar

Thank you Kris ..I so enjoy your words…I need to take a lesson from you..

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Lin Morency Buckland's avatar

Thank you so much, Kristin, for this perspective on what we can carry in our breaths. I love your idea of exhaling fulfilment.

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Kristin Shannon's avatar

Thanks so much, Cynthia. Nice way to close the day with your kind words to sleep on.

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Cynthia Scott Aucoin's avatar

I so enjoyed your article today and relate to everything you said. I couldn’t agree more about how a deep exhale feels (wonderful) and how it can relax our mind and body. We have to remember to exhale frequently especially as the world around us feels so hopeless at times

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prue batten's avatar

So perfect...

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Jackie Collins's avatar

This is an amazing blog today. You've captured all that exists in this world today and I often need to be reminded of the blessings I have now and all the years before.

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Virginia Tanner's avatar

Your article spoke to me this morning. Thank you for your thoughtful beautiful words.

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Kristin Shannon's avatar

Hi Virginia. It’s hard these days isn’t it to find that gratitude? I have to look for it in that infinitesimal pause between breaths, and very often it is much too fleeting. Friends from different countries these days however help me realize that most of us are bound by a shared desire for civil exchange, common decency and the safety and security of our families. I’m so grateful to know that those ties are strong and that history shows that madmen fall when faced by the oxygen of a determined resistance.

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Susie Kaufman's avatar

I received this as a way of doing tonglen....breathe in the suffering of the world, breathe out compassion. I can feel gratitude as a way of expressing self-compassion.

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Stephanie Thurrott's avatar

A perfect Sunday morning read! I exhaled after reading it.

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Karen Macdonald's avatar

Thank you for this. What a beautiful reflexion.

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chris's avatar

Thank you. At this moment a very good friend is in transition after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.Your message spoke to me.

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Kristin Shannon's avatar

I’m very sorry to hear that Chris. Following my first surgery, I was grasping for anything to use as a lodestone towards recovery. I asked my nurse if there was anything she had observed that made that glimpse to the other side of cancer more achievable. At first she said no. She paused. Then she said that in her experience her patients who had better outcomes were surrounded by friends and family. Isn’t your friend lucky to have you!

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Barbara Goldbloom-Hughes's avatar

A beautiful and touching piece. I particularly loved “It seems in my limited knowledge of human biology that it is no accident that most of us leave this world on an exhale.” That is an image I shall keep forever.

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Kristin Shannon's avatar

And I know how much you truly understand, dear Barbie.

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david dussault's avatar

Such beautiful prose that reads like sublime poetry. Great work, Kristin!

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Virginia  Fisher Yaffe's avatar

I am expressing gratitude for Kristin.

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Kristin Shannon's avatar

Hi Sylvie and Janet. It’s a snowy morning here and I’m about to do that metaphoric counting of my blessings. You two lovely women will be part of that nod to personal good fortune. Thank you both!

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