I love this one. I see the tree gripping some sort of cosmic whale creature with its branches flowing back as they go for a ride.

Oh my yes! Still working on not doing that but it happens automatically for me alas.

But what I’m thinking after that experiment, and realizing I’m neuro diverse (I’m late to this knowledge) is that perhaps I am who I am and I can be more compassionate about that. I’m thinking of my brain more as a lovable but sometimes exasperating pet/companion. It’s calmer as a result.

I’m not sure. I’m more aware of being optimistic in the last 10-20 years or so. Part of that was a habit of practicing gratitude for some years and I like to spot little hearts everywhere (even in toast crumbs and oils stains!). Silly yes. But we find what we practice seeing.

A while ago I experimented with some supplements for brain fog, they all modified neurotransmitters in one way or another. All of them made me sad or incredibly irritable. It was eye opening for me to realize how much of who I am is just chemistry. I now feel more compassionate for my quirky brain.

I’m neuro diverse and I think I’ve always been pretty content, say quietly optimistic, although I can tip easily into being sad or overwhelmed. [1/2]

As always now I read your alt text and it never disappoints :)

Ooh! Please share more once you’ve had some time with it.

Thank-you for working through this so clearly and patiently. The lived experience of so many are still so easily and quietly erased.

Thank-you for this. It’s been on the back of my mind a while and you’re right, it doesn’t matter which. It’s just heartbreaking that people think that this is an issue and can’t let people simply live their authentic joyful lives.

I am deeply sorry to hear that Freya didn’t make it. Losing a constant companion is so very hard.