A Journey with Vanessa Chiu

In my last few episodes, I've been talking about the book "How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers" by Toni Bernhard and how it has helped me navigate the physical and emotional recovery process after getting into a car accident recently.

My final episode on this book is another lesson I've been relearning this year...reframing your perspective.

The healing journey continues! 

The book that has been helping me through my recovery process is called "How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers" by Toni Bernhard.

As I'm reading this book, I realize that I cause myself unnecessary suffering sometimes.  I share what I learned from Bernhard's journey that helps me with stressful and overwhelming thoughts.

In this episode, I talk about my progress in the physical, and emotional, healing journey I've been on since the car accident. 

I share what 'wise inaction' means based on the book I'm reading called "How to be sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers" by Toni Bernhard.

I also talk about one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten so far this year!  

My year ended with car accident and an overwhelming number of medical appointments and treatments for the physical pain I was experiencing.  I gradually felt better and stronger, but in the new year, the pain returned.  In this episode, I share what I'm learning as I go through this physical healing process.

The book I talk about in this episode is called "How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers" by Toni Bernhard.

Happy 2024!  It's a new year!  Which means, a new you…right?  Not necessarily!  I believe it's more about sticking to your values with whatever choices and decisions we are making in our lives, at any point during the year. 

This episode was inspired by my friend's son who reminds me to make time for play. I talk about the benefits of play and the 8 Play Personalities identified by Dr. Stuart Brown, the founder of the National Institute for Play. You can find out more about the Play Personalities and Institute at nifplay.org.

Sometimes I feel like I'm running out of time or running behind in life.

In this episode, I share how I find happiness and contentment in this super fast-paced world we live in by practicing mindfulness.

Since it's January, let's talk about goals!

I've been reflecting on my goals and if I should've set new ones for this year.  In this episode, I share why I didn't do any New Year's resolutions and what is actually important to me when setting goals.

I'm such an overthinker!  And I notice that I do so in unfamiliar situations...especially new experiences that are important to me, which is why I pour my heart and soul into the learning process. In this episode, I share some things I do consistently to manage overthinking so it doesn't get the best of me.

Failing doesn't feel good! When you work really hard for something you want, it sucks when you don’t get it the first time. But failing the first time just means I don’t have the thing that I want, yet.

And I know I can choose how to respond to failure. In this episode, I talk about accepting and embracing failure based on the significance of water in Taoism.