Field Notes: Shapes of Sorrow
Today. July 16th marks my birthday. And later this week, the anniversary of Isamu’s death—twenty-three years ago.
These two dates live in tandem on the calendar. Just two days between them. And every year, I feel it—an invisible weight pulling through my chest, my breath, my skin. A kind of cellular knowing that this week hints at more than a passage of time. It’s another threshold.
Mending 11: boundaries
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
Field Notes: The Arc of Aging
In the early morning hours—when the world is quiet and the page is still listening—I often find myself returning to the stories I’ve inherited, those I’ve told many times, and others I’m only just beginning to reclaim. Lately, as I explore the world of longevity, those stories have circled around aging—not simply as a biological process, but as a reflection of culture. A culture that tells those in midlife and beyond: you’re disappearing. Your symptoms are glitches. Your wisdom has an expiration date.
Field Notes: The Quiet Hours & The Stories They Reveal
Last time I wrote to you, I shared some thoughts about the stories we carry—about health, aging, and what it means to live inside a body that doesn’t always follow the script.Lately, I’ve been trying to listen more deeply to my own.
Mending 10: origins
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
Mending 9: thresholds
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
Mending 8: surrender
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
The Medicine in Belonging
Belonging is a deeply human need. It's more than being surrounded by others, part of the herd or crowd. It’s about feeling seen, accepted, and understood for who we truly are. And it doesn’t always require big gestures, grand summons, or the gravitational pull of a mob. Sometimes, it’s just an unspoken understanding, care without question, a connection that quietly binds us.
Mending 7: resilience
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
The Healing Power of Being Moved: Stories, Science, and the Art of Aging
Some moments in life take our breath away—not because of shock or fear, but because they strike a deep chord within us. Maybe the swell of music or a particular lyric leaves you wiping tears from your eyes, or a stranger’s act of kindness momentarily restores your faith in humanity. Perhaps it’s the quiet wonder of seeing someone you love embraced for exactly who they are or a faded photograph that brings a rush of memories—joyful, bittersweet, or both.
Mending 6: connection
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
When You’re Not Getting Better (And Why Protocols are Part of the Problem)
When managing your health becomes a full-time job, it’s easy to feel disheartened. You may have tried the latest diet trends and supplements, hoping that each new approach will bring lasting relief. But instead, it feels like the same place, the same symptoms, like you’re balancing on a tightrope that could give way at any moment.
Mending 5: absence
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
Mending 4: identity
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
Mending 3: longing
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
Exploring Narrative Medicine: A Personal Perspective
“The telling of stories alters who we become.” - Ben Okri What is Narrative Medicine? You might be pondering this question right now or as you engage with my newest offerings. If you are, I applaud your curiosity. You're in good company!
Mending 2: sleep
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
The Web of Interconnections: Unraveling the Complexities of Omics for Everyday Health
“In nature, nothing exists alone.” - Rachel Carson, Silent Spring Imagine a spider's web. Pull one thread, and the delicate structure shrinks, shrivels, or spoils. Each finespun fiber is essential to the stability of the whole. Similarly, the human body is an intricate web of interconnections.
Mending 1: not giving up
Welcome to mending, a monthly haven where words meet inner wisdom, and stories intertwine with the art of health and healing. At the heart of Narrative Medicine is a belief in the power of the human story. Words, among other human expressions, have the ability to enlighten and connect us to our most vulnerable or even seemingly insignificant moments in life.
Beyond the Evidence of Evidence-Based Medicine
If you’ve traveled the landscape of modern medicine in search of answers to your chronic health challenges, you’ve likely encountered the profound influence and appeal of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM).