During my longest break of doing live sessions here on InsightTimer, l've had 3 hospital stays along with 2 major abdominal surgeries and now I’m living with an ileostomy bag along with a PICC line. I have no idea how this session will go, but I miss you all and am ready to get back to our time together! This session is intended to provide the space for all of us to release resistance to what is; to soften our bodies & minds around whatever is occurring in this present moment. Most of my live sessions end with me talking and answering all kinds of questions in the chat, which often ends up being longer than the guided meditation itself! So show up early if you’d like the guided meditation portion, or come about 30 mins after start time if you just want to chat. Or stay for the whole thing! Totally up to you and your needs. Given my current circumstances, I'm dedicating my first live stream back to the topics of grief, IBD, chronic illness in general, and many factors about life in general. Feel free to be active in the chat with myself and others while we share ideas and/or ask me any questions you have. Or just pop in and casually listen to me share readings I find helpful, talk about my experiences with these things, and share coping strategies l've found along the way. And, to be totally honest, most likely cry at some point because I am still very much In the middle of this difficult journey. Brief history about me- I was diagnosed with UC at 14, had my colon removed at 18, lived with an ileostomy bag for 6 months, then lived with a j pouch for 10 years, I got diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and then this past August I turned 29 in the first of what would end up being 3 total hospital stays in 5 months. After spending about 2 weeks of November plus 3 weeks of December in the hospital, I now am living with a new stoma and ileostomy bag which has, of course, been quite the adjustment. I have learned many things along the way and I could talk forever about anything, so feel free to ask me anything! Check out my bio here on InsightTimer for more info on my health history. This is a live guided meditation & chat session hosted by Ruthie Hanan❤️