Squiggle & Heart, No. 63

I’m in a rough patch at the moment with a loved one struggling with some complex medical issues. But this morning I wrote in my journal how grateful I am that in the waves I’m currently facing, my surfboard seems to be robust. I am proud of the grace with which I’ve let myself ride between fine, not fine, angry, grieving, actually quite good at this, totally numbed out, profoundly sad then suddenly fulfilled and joyful. I’ve worked hard for the last ~20 years in both traditional therapy and meditation practice to be able to be present with these feelings as they arise and fall away, and I’m incredibly relieved that the training seems to work. My surfboard is strong.

It was important to me when making this cartoon that both Squiggle and Heart were involved in the existence of the surfboard - that effort from both of them was necessary to manifest it. Though it may cause problems frequently, the mind is a beloved partner to the heart. I don’t surf, but I imagine you need a combination of sensitivities and strengths to do it well, and I need both of these little ones inside me to function and thrive.