I wrote this piece about a moment during a brain MRI shortly after my metastatic cancer diagnosis. At the time I was terrified of what the scan might reveal. Instead, something unexpected happened that changed my relationship with illness and survival. I’m sharing this here as a reflection on fear, identity, and the stories we carry about what it means to survive. https://www.tendingthesoul.life/blog-1-copy-1-2/the-lotus-is-born-in-the-mud

This community is a space for those facing mortality to explore grief, meaning, and what comes next. So let’s begin here: When you turn your attention toward your own death — even for a moment — what feeling rises to the surface first? There is no right answer here. Just noticing. - Fear or anxiety - Curiosity - Acceptance - A pulling away: avoidance, numbness, shutting down - Peace - Sadness or tenderness - A mix of emotions that shift depending on the moment For me, it used to be fear. Now, more often, it’s curiosity. You’re welcome to comment with one word — or share more if you feel moved.