Quote

Be Kind.  It Matters.

Well, it's new year, and I am feeling pretty positive about life.

I started following an art challenge, and am happy with the progress I am making. I started off the year by going to an art retreat with a good friend who is very talented.

My word for the year is LEARN.  As in learn new things. 

Learn Acrylic painting - I am signed up for a class that starts next week. I have a bit of aphasia when I get overstimulated, and I am now at the point where that won't stop me.  If I explain that I had a stroke, it will be ok.

Learn Watercolour painting - This is something I have been doing for the past 5 years or so, and the stroke slowed me down, but I am working on regaining what I lost.

Learn to be gentle with myself - This is a really hard one, as I beat myself up when I can't speak or can't figure something out. As a fellow survivor said he says to himself "Back off!  You had a stroke!!!" Most days are good, but I am always thrown when something happens to remind me that it happened at all. I need to remember that it is a minor setback, not a permanent loss.

Thanks for reading this.  

SueC