Greetings!
Thank you for your interest in A Cup of Kindness. Your Comments on the Posts and your emails here to Contact Us are great ways to deepen the conversation. I will always do my best to respond in a timely fashion.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Greetings!
Thank you for your interest in A Cup of Kindness. Your Comments on the Posts and your emails here to Contact Us are great ways to deepen the conversation. I will always do my best to respond in a timely fashion.
Love & Light,
Valerie
You can follow all the replies to this entry through the comments feed.
Your site is wonderfully gentle and welcoming. It does feel very much like I’m sitting in your kitchen and having a quiet and joyful conversation with you. As I’m writing this, I feel your gentle and smiling presence.
I LOVE your salads. They will be a great addition to our table.
Count on me as a regular visitor.
If I can support you in any other way, please let me know.
Dear Luanne,
Thank you! I can see us together, with mugs of coffee (or tea!), just chatting away. Your support through sharing A Cup of Kindness with your friends would be very welcome… as well as any guidance that you are led to share with me.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Valerie,
What a wonderful and beautiful gift this website is. I recall us talking about the site but I had no idea you had it all in motion … just fantastic. I hope it is not too corny coming from me to heat that I am so very proud of you.
You inspire me.
Love and Light and more love and more light,
-R
Dear Richard,
Thank you! I love that you are proud of me. It’s quite a nice feeling. Reminds me of my dad.
Will you and Gwen stop by the house this evening? You know about our celebration, I hope.
Love & Light,
Valerie
🙂
Mmmmwaaah!!
So beautiful! Just like you, dear one. I love you. <3
Such a compliment from one so radiant. Love & Light, Valerie
“menus and meditations on a weighed and measured life”…love the misssion statement. You are a living breathing miracle because you daily choose to find the good in all things. May the Creator continue to bless you. Aho!
Thank you for your benediction, dear friend Elayne. Love & Light, Valerie
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing your story (really, your stories!) Even though you say that you feel you have lost part of you, the you that was the helper (the nurse, the leader, even the 7th floor safety officer) here you are sharing your feelings, your struggles and – of course because you are Valerie – concrete helpful information with others. See, you are still helping others, after all.
Your words encourage me, LaDawna. Thank you! Love & Light, Valerie
I think you do lose a part of yourself in trauma. but wherever there is a void, something else will fill it up. What is lost will become something else. The challenge is to make that new part a positive reflection of your experience. That can be difficult when the trauma is great. A friend once told me, you are given these experiences because you are the one meant to teach how to survive them so others can benefit. I had to sit with that one for a while. I am learning how to read the reflection of life’s events in the feng shui of a home and birth charts and with that, learning how to share that info in a positive way. the feng shui and birth charts each impact 1/3 of your life’s equation. the final third is your decision making. with that, your free will makes a huge difference. love you valerie!
Dear Patricia
Yes. I felt so empty when I was deeply in the trauma state. It still revisits me at times.
I love what you say here, “The challenge is to make that new part a positive reflection of your experience.” I’ve been told that those who are on the path to recovery find gifts along the way.
There is an excellent book “In an Unspoken Voice” by Peter A. Levine, PhD. He says, “Trauma sufferers, in their healing journeys, learn to dissolve their rigid defenses. In this surrender they move from frozen fixity to gently thawing and, finally, free flow. In healing the divided self from its habitual mode of dissociation, they move from fragmentation to wholeness. In becoming embodied they return from their long exile. They come home to their bodies and know embodied life, as though for the first time. While trauma is hell on earth, its resolution may be a gift from the gods.”
I see that in your Acro Yoga and your feng shui practice. What an inspiration you are!
Love & Light,
Valerie
What a great way to share your love and experiences with many. I have enjoyed reading and am sharing the blog widely. You are such a strong and inspiring person. Thanks for being you and being so willing to share with all of us. You are truly amazing. Keep up the good work!
Hi Terri! This encouragement, from one whose judgement I trust so completely, means a lot to me. Thank you! Love & Light, Valerie
A truly amazing website, thank you for sharing your heart and stories. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it and have been touched by every word. I whole heartedly agree with Terri, you are such an amazing, strong, and inspiring person. I consider myself blessed to know you. May you continue to grow, heal and spread love and hope. You are truly an inspiration to all…an overflowing cup of kindness!
Alyson! How wonderful to hear from you. You have been an inspiration to me, too. I’m so glad we are friends. Love & Light, Valerie
I love the website. I have already shared it with many friends, and will continue to do so. I plan to check in regularly. Its a great suppport. Be well. xoxo Roberta
Dear Roberta, I’m so glad you feel that way! Thanks for sharing it and let me know if/when you think I’m off track. Love & Light, Valerie
Thank you for sharing your life journey with us. It means a lot to have a calm place to go and find comfort and inspiration.
Dear Karen, I’m so touched that you would experience A Cup of Kindness as a place to go and find comfort and inspiration. You put into words the yearning of my heart. Please keep coming back and sharing your own inspiration. Love & Light, Valerie
Valerie,
I think I understand now what you mean.
Here is what I would say.
I have had some health issues where my doctor ORDERED me to exercise DAILY. I didn’t think that was doable, and it seemed self indulgent. After reading some of the stories here, I realized how I should relish just being able to do it and get over the mental laziness and whining. My son suggested I go to the Acro Yoga class with him at his Jiujitsu school. I went along because I wanted to bond with him and because he is alive (he had a life threatening accident and the doctors say medically, it is a miracle he is here. For this I give thanks and pray often). I had never heard of AcroYoga and thought it was some mild form of pulling and stretching. I was faintly surprised when I showed up and discovered what it was. I was convinced there was NO WAY I was going to be able to do it. Most everyone was in their 20’s and 30’s. I am 60 so it seemed crazy. I had fear of falling. It turned out, the teachers are very supportive and giving. And strong too. With their help and spotting, they taught me some amazing moves and flow, I never thought was possible at my age. Yoga has all these not obvious health benefits and every pose does something to strengthen you internally and keep your organs functioning. I discovered that the inversions (anything where your head is lower than your heart) is extremely good for the brain. The balancing moves can extend your life for 10 years. Merely, because many older people fall because they do not have balance. The recovery is slow and can quickly deteriorate the body and spirit. So now I’m flying and being upside down!! Valerie asked me to post this and she will put up the video of what I just learned! Bless all of you for your strength and love you extend to others. BTW, I have learned to become a really good cook over the past few months!
Dear Patricia, Thank you for your inspiring comments and video. I definitely want to feature it in a post and will do so soon. My heart is flying across the country to you and yours on the Left Coast. Love you. Valerie
Dearest V, I have read all you have written and all the responses you have received, and I am overcome! As always, I find your description of your food and how it fits so satisfyingly into your life, inspiring and very tempting! The journey we are taking with you through your terrible accident, your long arduous treatment and your ongoing recovery makes me realize even more fully, what you and those like you who have been so badly injured in war, are living through. Knowing you as I do, I believe you have the strength and courage it takes to forge a new life after such a traumatic event What you are doing in A Cup of Kindness is very important. You are showing us how to live. thank you, m
Thanks, Mom. Everywhere I go, people ask me about how you are doing. I need to write down everyone who says to send you their love so that I remember to share it with you. Love & Light, Valerie
This is a fabulous blog! Thank you, Valerie! You write beautifully and explain your program so very well. Bill and I are thinking about doing more vegetarian meals for health reasons. Thank you for your suggestions.
Love, Beverly
Dear Beverly, I’m SO glad you like the blog. I do enjoy my vegetarian meals and, at the same time, I know it’s important for my health reasons to have a certain amount of animal protein. I offer a special prayer of gratitude at every meal for all that went into bringing the food to my table. You probably know vegetarians in the program. Feel free to give me a call if you’d like a referral. Love & Light, Valerie
Hi Valerie,
It was really wonderful to see you this morning and to tell you in person how much I love A cup of Kindness. You are such an inspiration to me and this blog is wonderful and, as your mom says, you are showing us how to live. I read it often. I was one of the ones who asked after your mom. Give her a hug from me.
Dear Sandy, Such funny timing! I was just telling my mom about your greetings. She sends you a big hug, too. Love & Light, Valerie
Valerie,
Loved meeting you at Melanie and Barry’s. I hope to see you again soon. Your blog is FABULOUS!!! I am loving reading each part slowly and really savoring it all. Thank you for sharing and being so inspirational!!!!
Rachel
Dear Rachel, I really enjoyed meeting you, too! I’m very happy you like the blog. Phew! Are there any blogs you like that you would recommend to me? Hope to see you again soon. Love & Light, Valerie
Dear Valerie,
First of all, I need to ask your pardon for my broken English.
My neighbor, Myra, the elegant lovely lady, who brought me to your beautiful web blog , which full of love and light. I am so touched by just reading your insights of your life.
I will spend more time to explore your blog and would love to learn more from you when my strength gets better (assuming Myra briefed you about my health already).
Thank you for sharing
God bless you.
April
Dear April, Your English is beautiful. Thank you for making the effort to write this wonderful note. I’m very grateful for your compliments. I hope we can meet someday soon. Love & Light, Valerie
Hey Valerie,
I love your blog! Please add me as a subscriber.
Blessings!
Dear Francesca, DONE! Love & Light, Valerie
Hi Valerie,
We did not manage to get together the last round. Want to try again? I will be there 8/7-8/23. We will baptize baby Royce. Let me know if you will be around.
Would you be ok with adding me to your blogsroll? I am in process of all this so intend to get to that on my new site also and would like to add your blog.
Hi Patricia, Yes! Let’s get together. Sooner is better. And I would love to add you to my blogroll. Is this the site? http://patricialee.me/ Love & Light, Valerie
Valerie, I have deleted my FB acct and just wanted to make sure you have my only email addy. Love,
d.
Hello Valerie,
My friend Catherine C has introduced me to your website . Perhaps I can benefit and receive insight into the world of recovery from you. Maybe my story may help someone. Please le & t me know if you are interested. I am a sober alcoholic for the past 3 years 4 months. I feel as if I am not living up to my recovery. The need to become more active with others is huge but I seem to be stuck and cannot start my motor. I am also a cancer survivor (13 years) and have just completed surgery, chemo for another recurrence which started this past May,. Currently I am still healing and waiting for test results. I need to move on and past Me in order to help others. Your suggestions will be welcomed.
Thank you
Ruth
Dear Ruth,
Thank you so much for your messages. Let’s get together by phone soon. I am getting ready for a quick dinner and then going to a 12 step meeting. Fancy that!
Would you have time to talk on Friday?
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie
I hope you received my message. Catherine C gave your name and website infor. I do hope we can get together by phone or email.
Ruth
301-345-5563
How wonderfully timed to be referred to you……on Thanksgiving Day…..I am forever grateful that Alison has facilitated this meeting. I am participating in an OA Marathon today at
St Chas in Arl, VA…..however, I most need your light …..experience, strength and HOPE ….when not at meetings….plus interestingly creative recipes. Hugs, T
Hi Teddy,
How delightful to receive your warm message on Thanksgiving Day! I love it.
Please feel free to call any time. Allison has my number.
May we all have a glorious and grateful day.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie, found this blog from the FA FB page, you are an awesome inspiration, I thank you for taking the courage your HP has given you to share and give to others. Through all your struggles and difficulties what comes over is a need to give… give… give. What a wonderful response to the terrible time you have had since the accident.
I have read much on the blog, I hope I have now subscribed, thought I had but had not received email confirmation, maybe you could check? I added my email address and clicked ‘subscribe’
I read about the grocery shopping list which you and Gregory use – just wondered if you could share a copy with me? I need to get more organized, keep finding my yoghurt and veggies eaten by other members of my family – want to encourage them to also heat healthily but also want to protect my FA weighed and measured meals, particularly as we live 15 km from nearest store!!!
Thank you,
Sally
Hi Sally,
Thank you! Your message was so welcome this evening. I was feeling a bit down… probably just too tired. Your note really perked me up!
I appreciate what you said about the courage from HP to share and give to others. It does seem to take courage. We risk so much when we engage with others. We can easily feel hurt. And yet many of us keep coming back… for the sake of… what? Love.
Thanks for taking the time to follow up on your efforts to subscribe. I added your email to the subscribers’ list. Hopefully it will work. And I’ll follow up with my tech guy, George, to see what might be the problem.
Thank you for requesting the grocery list. I’ll send it to you from my email. Then I’ll check with George to see how I can attach it to the blog for others.
If others in your family are eating your good food I’d say you are doing something right! They must want to emulate you.
Where do you live? I’m so curious.
Isn’t it amazing how we get connected to each other!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
I am also a member of the Open Heart Project and the survivor of a horrendous auto accident. Thank you for sharing your story and your journey.
Love,
Tammy
Wow! That’s amazing, Tammy. I would be very interested in a conversation with you.
Glad you are still with us.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Yes! I would love to be in touch. Can you see my email address?
Hello Valerie!
I have been thinking of you and hope this message finds you well. I am super excited to have printed out your recovery food plan and am giving it a go. It’s time to face facts.
How are you feeling? I hope your recovery (from the accident) continues to progress and that you are comfortable and at ease.
With much love,
Tammy
Hi, I found you through syncronicity. I have a business dream I want to name _A Cup of Kindness-
And, I found your page. How wonderful. I would love to follow along as you grow and heal. I am
among the twelve step healing myself. I will also attempt to share your site with a friend or two who I believe are kindred spirits.
Not to worry about my business idea now. It is all a dream at present.
Sherri – in North Carolina, Also beginning my first CSA experience this new season. Love and light to you
Dear Sherri,
How delightful to connect with you! Your beautiful spirit fills your note. Thank you for responding to this potentially unhappy discovery with such a positive outlook.
What is your business idea? I’m curious.
I’ll bet that your North Carolina CSA will be delicious. I can’t wait for ours to start up again.
Love & Light,
Valerie
I’m just guessing but I think you just may be one of the tools in my Carpenter’s tool box.
Thank you, Andrew. The feeling is mutual.
Love & Light,
Valerie
I can literally feel your serenity through my screen. What’s the name of the program you’re in? I know there are several 12-step programs for food, but you sound like you have what I want! Where did you get it?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for reaching out! I’m touched by your kind words.
I generally don’t share the name of the program since none of us should be seen to represent it as “the poster child.” I will email you privately with more information.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie,
I have been introduced to you and your site by my good friend Emilia in Sacramento. I have read many things on this site and I am truly inspired. Emilia heard that I was going to visit Baltimore to teach a training this month and thought perhaps we could meet if time permitted. I’m not sure if I will be able to manage it, but Emilia is so special to me that I wanted to reach out to you just to see what is possible. I have 3 days following the training where it could possibly happen, Sept 16-18. If life doesn’t allow this meeting, at least I had a chance to say hello and tell you how much I appreciate your courage and the information that you have shared with the world.
Warmest Regards, Jerrigrace
Dear Jerrigrace,
If you can swing it, I would be delighted to get together with you! We already enjoy several connections.
I love my pen pal, Emilia. Hopefully, I’m going to get to catch up with her in person when I travel to the Pacific Northwest this fall.
I know that you do great work on behalf of the home funeral movement. My good friend Sally Craig is an activist on the issue with her friend Beth Knox.
And my husband, Gregory, knows the farm where your workshop will be held. He is a former farmer in Howard County… now a massage therapist.
Will you be staying close to your training? I could come out that way if it makes it easier to plug me in to your schedule.
Feel free to email me at valerie@acupofkindness.com.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie, love your site.
I’m a psychotherapist and if you are willing to email me backchannel with the program that you’ve found to be so successful I’d greatly appreciate it. I would like to share it with clients.
Thank you!
Robyn
Hi Valerie,
I follow the same 12 step program you do for food addiction. Our fellowship is very small and I have been struggling lately to actually do all the things I need to do to help ensure I can keep going. I’ve cried, yelled, thought about quitting, cried because I know I can’t quit, and then finally talked to my sponsor about it. Through the grace of God… because of a chain of emails… I stumbled upon your site. THANK YOU GOD!!
I just read “I’ve got this – Cue failure”. It’s EXACTLY what I needed to hear (see).
This is the answer. Four years out from my start date, and I start to forget that. You just gave me a big dose of hope. And, I just felt a sense of calm come over me that I haven’t felt in a long time.
I can’t wait to dig into this blog and see whatelse there is to offer!
Valerie,
I am the “newbie” from the meeting this morning at Leisure World. Thanks for sharing your blog and website with me. I have barely scratched the surface of all your incredibly informative material and am finding everything so educational and inspiring. I am really enjoying your “food” section and have read it word for word. It is so nice that you have gone to so much trouble for our benefit in documenting everything you did and how you have evolved during your weight loss journey.
It sounds like a perfect plan, although I know it is going to be difficult. But I really need to become more healthy, so I can enjoy life more with my husband, children and grandchildren.
Thank you so very much. I’ll let you know how I do.
Yours, Nancy B.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you so much for your kind words!
I’m inspired by your clarity of purpose. To enjoy life with your husband, children and grandchildren is a beautiful motivation for health.
Please do keep me posted on your progress. Feel free to call any time.
See you soon!
Love & Light,
Valerie
It was lovely to meet you and Gregory a couple of weeks ago. I am enjoying taking a peek at your blog when I have a few minutes. Hope all is well. ~Melanie
Hi Melanie,
Thank you so much for reaching out and connecting.
I’m enjoying your blog, too. Your writing about writing is inspiring me to take another look at what I’m doing with A Cup of Kindness. I just shared your most recent post on Facebook. There are many writers in my family and among my friends. When I was a child, my grandmother — a writing fellow at Yale among other things — sent our thank you notes back to us corrected in red ink.
Your post http://www.23skies.com/2014/06/dilaudid/ was intimate, honest, powerful and beautiful. It’s so moving to me when writing about death and dying offers a personal experience that is true. A friend and I were just talking about how the departure of a person can crystallize their essence in our hearts. Is crystallize the right word? Embolden, cultivate, give root?
And what is a miracle after all? Is it that and that and that… ? Is there anything that… that is not a miracle?
By the way, I love Tintin, too!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Are you still in FA? I have been for a while but for various reason find myself “unwilling” to do everything required of me. I love your blog and would love to talk with you. Is that possible?
Dear Mary,
Yes, I am still in Program and I would be happy to talk with you. I’m currently in the midst of a very big family event, so now is not the best time. Please do get back to me in a couple of weeks. In the meantime, all I can say is, do whatever it is that you are willing to do.
Love & Light,
Valerie