21 Comments
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Deb's World's avatar

Hi Denyse, it's so good you joined us again for WBOYC and I'm please to hear you are feeling better and that you're heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, as you well know, these things can take time to heal and acknowledge and I'm glad you're doing all you can to let your body and mind recover. And asking for help! Thanks for sharing with us. x

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thank you! All the steps I'm taking in recovery are helping me heal & this is yet another occasion where my on-line connections & blogging friends make a positive impact for me! Great as always to share to connect. Take care, Denyse x

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Christie Hawkes's avatar

As always, I am so impressed by your resiliency and your courage, Denyse. It's inspiring to see how you put self-help into place, and also how you know when to reach out for help.

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thank you Christie for your kind and affirming words. Always lovely to have your care and support. Denyse x

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Lydia c lee's avatar

I will say bad sleep is enough to upset the apple cart completely so a good night's sleep will do wonders. I also think music and listening to stories lift the mood and declutter the head (Alain De Botton says listening to audio books has the same affect as meditation).

I like this idea of helping your 67 year old self. It's a great idea. Because it will remind you what you need to do when things creep up but also show you how much you have achieved. #WBOYC

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thanks very much for your thoughts and kind words. I’m very grateful for the many lessons that this part of my life has taught me. And I will be using them now as guides as I begin to pick up parts of my life I had to leave alone to heal. Self care & at last self compassion (a very hard concept to get your head around when you “fight” what’s going on health wise) and keeping to my boundaries & limits will be how I live my life now. Been a very challenging time which probably began closer to a year ago this July. Take care, Denyse x dx ss

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Donna Connolly's avatar

Hi, Denyse - May definitely has been a month of gratitude, growth, glimmers and grief for you. I'm glad that you were able to get the help you needed, recognize the journey, and are doing well. Thank you for sharing this with us so candidly and heartfeltly.

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Oh yes it so has been like that Donna! Those 4 G’s are important words for me to reflect on & integrate into my life. Thank you for the link up. Warmest wishes, Denyse x

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Joanne's avatar

I love that list of ways you're taking better care of yourself! It sounds like you are doing very well. Congrats to your son on his Master's!

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thanks so much Joanne! The changes I’ve needed to make will continue to serve me well now and into the future. Our son’s hard work paid off with his Masters which he can use in his psychology practice. Warm wishes, Denyse x

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

You’re definitely a life long learner Denyse.

I’m always impressed with your lessons along the way and your self care. I’m very happy to say that you are inspirational. Looking forward to hearing more about the three ‘Gs’

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thank you so much Jennifer. I have become accustomed now to say “Typical teacher me” here at home too…ha! I’m going to be proud of it now.

You are very kind. Thanks for your care and warm words.

Denyse x

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Saved by Grace's avatar

I love this Denyse; you look so well and have the most beautiful smile. I must also remind myself to allow space for those 4 'G's' too. I tend to allow grief or sadness to take the upper hand at times, when I also experience glimmers and gratitude every day that I could focus on a little more. I don't think we ever stop learning and that can be a little scary as it makes us feel uncertain. Enjoy your weekend and sending love 😘 Karen

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

How lovely of you to share your words here Karen, and I so appreciate your kindness.

I think at times each of the G's can dominate...and I know I "could" theoretically pay less attention to grief of the loss of loved ones (Dad died early 2024, Mum 17 years before) it's been my grief around my losses due to cancer that rise up from time to time.

I am getting a real 'thing' for inspirational and spiritual cards that MAKE some sense to me and help me grow and consider other sides of life...and today I got a beautiful set called The Grief Deck: Rituals, Meditations and Tools for Moving Through Loss.

I am going to post more in the future and I know feeling better is helping me through.

I am really grateful for our connection here on Substack!

Thank you and take care.

Denyse x

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Saved by Grace's avatar

I too am grateful to share our experiences here and love the sounds of The Grief Deck. A lot of my 'issues' have centred around not allowing myself to feel and moving out of my head into my body has been and continues to be challenging. I think we need to acknowledge and honour grief as it arises and allow space for it to pass through us. Suppressing any emotion never goes well for me! Keep getting better and looking forward to hearing more from you x

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Joanne Tracey's avatar

I love that end quote about healing being about learning to belong to a life that is different from the one you left. You're doing OK, Denyse... and that's a good thing.

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thanks Jo. I sure have had to do a lot of learning and teacher me accepts that is part of the healing.

I use some of these words and images on my phone as screensavers to remind me!!

Take care

Denyse x

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Sue Women Living Well After 50's avatar

Hi Denyse, so lovely to see you out and about again with that beautiful smile of yours. It's great you live nearby your grandchildren so you can be part of what they are doing. I know they love seeing their grandparents at school or sporting events. You've done quite a bit in May which is a step in the right direction after your recent ill health. Bring on June and I wonder what you will get up to? Thanks so much for linking up and sharing at #WBOYC? great to have you back. xx

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thanks so much Sue, feels good to be back into things.

It's now my job to choose how much I become involved in again of course, but when I can, I will.

The 2 granddaughters were very pleased to see me. Then when they came back home here had more fun until I dropped them home.

It's been a challenge at times to overcome some of the obstacles to my better health but I have great support here at home and via my on-line friends.

Thank you for being one of those kind supporters.

And for the link up.

Take care, Denyse x

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Leanne | crestingthehill's avatar

Hi Denyse - lovely to see you replacing the old with the new - small joys, happy events, mindfulness, and so much more. We can't change the past, but we can put it in its place and take what we need from it to build on. So glad to see you're doing so well.

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Denyse Whelan's avatar

Thank you Leanne, for your kind words of empathy and understanding. And for being a loyal and loving reader and commenter.

It feels good..for sure..to be moving forward and I honour the past but no longer want it to dominate. Been a really big time of self development, compassion and PATIENCE...

Take care,

Denyse x

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