It’s been a good, good weekend. A time of restoration and healing and returning to the things I love with a stronger, braver, and happier heart.
Bear brought in my cup of tea this morning and said, “You seem very peaceful this morning, very happy. I think it has everything to do with telling your story. You aren’t afraid anymore.” He’s right. I can’t describe the exquisite freedom I feel in body, mind, and spirit, and I’m cherishing it.
There’s something about speaking your truth that dissolves fear. Keeping it all hidden inside, only letting it eek out in tiny snippets, keeps the soul withered and frightened. It makes giants out of bad guys when in reality, they’re only human beings who have fed the darkness inside them instead of the light. They aren’t too big for us to stand up to, and they aren’t too powerful to fight against. Not forever anyways. They do seem to get away with bad things for as long as they’re able to keep up a facade of trustworthiness. But when the survivors of their cruelty heal and regain strength and speak truth, their power crumbles.
“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others.
My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
Jane Austen
I like this quote so much. It makes me smile and stand a little taller, helps me face scary situations with resolve. It also reminds me to keep feeding the light in my own soul. To read, watch, and listen to things that lead to greater wisdom, deeper understanding, more enduring courage. To spend time with those who exemplify the things I cherish: honesty, kindness, bravery, a comfy-ness in being utterly themselves. To make time for the activities and experiences that make my heart swell and my soul sing.
As I rest in this deeper healing, I’ve returned to simple pleasures, nothing lavish or posh – though those things are jolly fun sometimes. I crave quietness and ease of planning marked by deliciousness. Here are a few of the simple lunches we’ve been having lately.
Ripe pears and aged cheddar cheese. Although such a lunch wouldn’t be sufficient on a cold Winter’s day, it is marvelous on these bizarrely hot days we’ve experienced over the last week. Winter arrived today, but freezing temperatures aren’t supposed to show up until Wednesday. Until then, we’re basking in summery warmth and dining lightly.
Mini-skewers. I don’t like to cook every day. I really don’t. Instead I try to only cook every other day and make enough so we have leftovers the next. Mini-skewers are marvelous things for that. I simply thread good Feta and sun-dried tomatoes on toothpicks, and cheddar, olives, and Farmer’s sausage on others. I put them in containers in the fridge and we can pull them out for a nibble whenever we’re famished.
Roast chicken and fresh veggies. With this gorgeously warm weather, I’m still getting ripe tomatoes and good cucumbers. They make a marvelous lunch with leftover shredded roast chicken.
Now I’m off to town for a sunshiny morning of errands and meetings. I’ve got music to listen to and dried apples to snack on so I’m all set.
What is your favorite simple lunch? How do you feed the light in your soul? XO
I’m so pleased that your heart is lighter having shared your story. Good for you!
Thank you so much, Tracy. It truly is a great burden lifted and I feel better able to live in the present. That is a wonderful thing. 🙂
It all looks so fresh and healthy, Krista. Take care and thank you for sharing your story.
And thank you for listening, dear @liz_posmyk:disqus XO
I’m happy for your peace at last, Krista. What lovely, fresh lunches, and I’m deeply impressed that you still have fresh tomatoes – how I will miss them in the coming cold months.
Thanks for celebrating with me, @amandamcinerney:disqus That means a lot to me. xo I’m going to miss these lovely tomatoes too!
I thought of you when I read an article about a woman named Jenna Tracy in the US who is telling her own story of ATI. She didn’t suffer like you did and she’s struggled with it. Keep telling your story until all the hurt is on the outside, Krista.
About this food – what time is lunch? Gosh it looks good.
Thank you so much for your support, @OrgasmicChef:disqus There is a wonderful reporter for Gawker who is interviewing many of us, giving us anonymity if we need it, doing whatever she can to expose the abuses of ATI. I’m so thankful. She’s provided so much validation and healing for us. After speaking with her I felt like a massive weight was off me and I don’t feel afraid anymore. That is wondrous. 🙂 XO
I don’t have the patience to make little skewers! Glad you are feeling at peace 🙂
That is wonderful to hear Krista, I am so pleased you are feeling lighter and brighter. Isnt that just the best?! 🙂
My favorite simple lunch…. similar to yours, ripe tomatoes, a bit of smoked meat, pickles, spanish onion and a balsamic dressing.
I totally agree that talking and sharing about things we’ve been hiding causes them to lose power of us. I’m so pleased to hear you are feeling much more at peace, Krista. And what lovely snacks you have at your table xx
I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling happier and lighter after sharing your story! I feel like by telling others, it helps you to let go!
Nothing beats, simple, tasty, spiced, fresh lunch like this, Krista 🙂 Love it the way it is.
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Love this post Krista 🙂 So pleased to hear that you are doing well. I don’t like to cook every day either (but I end up doing it anyway…) Salad is my favourite simple meal.
I’m happy you’re finding some peace and you are sharing your story. Take care xx
So, so happy for you! Your lunches look fabulous! We’ve been getting so much rain and still quite cool that we still want warming foods. But its getting hot now, so I’ll have to come up with some cooling foods as well. Those skewers look like a great idea!
Just look at those tomato and feta skewers!! I know I couldn’t stop at just two, or three…! Hope you don’t get much freeze. Your weather sounds so similar to our San Diego temps (only the opposite!). Stay warm my friend, I’m glad you have peace. XO