2024 was one of the worst and best years of my life, paradoxically for the same reason. I had cancer, radiation, two major surgeries that had me on my back most of the summer. Against that, my wife, family, and friends showed up for me in a truly profound way. Especially my wife. It makes me well up to think about it.
As we turn the corner on the year, my prognosis is, luckily, very good. I’ve regained my fitness and energy. Exciting developments are afoot with the Matter team. My two year old son is flourishing and I can wrestle with him. My relationships with the people who matter in my life have deepened and I cherish them more than ever.
For whatever reason this George Saunders line has been rattling around in my head the past week, a prayer for the new year: “Stay open, forever, so open it hurts, and then open up some more, until the day you die, world without end, amen.” Welcome, 2025. While it’s only getting weirder from here, may we lean into love.✌️
Ben Springwaterx.com2024 was one of the worst and best years of my life, paradoxically for the same reason. I had cancer, radiation, two major surgeries that had me on my back most of the summer. Against that, my wife, family, and friends showed up for me in a truly profound way. Especially my wife. It makes me well up to think about it. As we turn the corner on the year, my prognosis is, luckily, very good. I’ve regained my fitness and energy. Exciting developments are afoot with the Matter team. My two year old son is flourishing and I can wrestle with him. My relationships with the people who matter in my life have deepened and I cherish them more than ever. For whatever reason this George Saunders line has been rattling around in my head the past week, a prayer for the new year: “Stay open, forever, so open it hurts, and then open up some more, until the day you die, world without end, amen.” Welcome, 2025. While it’s only getting weirder from here, may we lean into love.✌️
also a chance to develop the inner resources and love that will serve you well in the years ahead.
Natasha Lunn • Conversations on Love: with Philippa Perry, Dolly Alderton, Roxane Gay, Stephen Grosz, Esther Perel, and many more
Même si ces dernières années ont été à bien des égards déchirantes – et par moment, presque intolérables –, elles restent malgré tout les plus belles et les plus profondes de ma vie car elles m’ont obligée à tenir dans mes bras la vie et la mort, la joie et le chagrin et à explorer les trésors cachés de gratitude et d’amour absolus.
Paul Kalanithi • Quand le souffle rejoint le ciel (Essais et documents) (French Edition)
Although these last few years have been wrenching and difficult—sometimes almost impossible—they have also been the most beautiful and profound of my life, requiring the daily act of holding life and death, joy and pain in balance and exploring new depths of gratitude and love.
Paul Kalanithi • When Breath Becomes Air
Hope Lights the Way to a Full Life Post-Stroke
Life after a stroke can absolutely brim with meaning and joy, no question about it. Each step on this winding recovery road counts as a win—look at survivors who’ve repainted their lives with a brush or chased their kids again, proof it’s possible. Setbacks hit everyone, but they’re just bumps, not the ... See more
Life after a stroke can absolutely brim with meaning and joy, no question about it. Each step on this winding recovery road counts as a win—look at survivors who’ve repainted their lives with a brush or chased their kids again, proof it’s possible. Setbacks hit everyone, but they’re just bumps, not the ... See more