Simone Yemm

WHERE HAS ALL THE EMPATHY GONE?

There are few things more comforting in this world than feeling understood and accepted. I am not sure if the world has more or less empathy than it used to. But I find that as I get older, it seems like there is less around. Now, that could be because of the personal journey I have walked, or simply because I’m ageing and I look around in search of it more than I used to. But whatever the reason, empathy is something that is becoming as rare as rocking horse shit. Perhaps it always was and I never noticed before.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Since last I wrote, I have aged a whole year. Quite literally. I had a birthday. I am now 59 years old. Where that fits on the spectrum of “old” completely depends on where you’re currently standing. To my two-year-old granddaughter, I’m just a few short steps away from the grave. To my elderly patients at work, I’m just a youngster who is full of life and verve. From where I sit, it looks awfully close to 60. And I do not like the sound of that at all. Not one little bit.

HAPPINESS

Who doesn’t love a touch of happiness here and there? It is such a soul-quenching joyous thing. I used to think the pursuit of happiness was the point of my life. But I have learned differently. It is a beautiful thing to have in the moment, but a life spent searching for happiness is a life spent living elsewhere and not in the moment. Happiness is found in moments – and they are fucking beautiful moments to cherish and hold onto. But everything passes in life. The heart-warmingly good, the bad and the very, very ugly. Life is a conveyor belt of emotions. It never stops and you really can never tell what’s going to be on offer on any given day.

MY PINK IDENTITY

So folks, I had a new experience on the weekend. I went to the Pride Parade. Dressed in pink. Well, kind of dressed in pink. I was actually dressed in a black jumpsuit with a warm pink jacket because it’s now the only pink thing that fits me but it was a hot Hobart day so it was a little bit sweaty marching down the streets. But it was worth it. It was my first ever outing as somebody who no longer entirely identifies as straight. But I don’t identify as anything else either. Maybe my identity is pink.

MY OPEN DOOR LIFE

For nigh on fifty years I was like most people – very quiet and private about my personal life. I barely shared my inner world with myself, let alone anyone else. But now I live my life like the door to my house is wide open and everyone can see inside. And there are reasons for that profound change. Let me see if my humble words can explain a little bit.

January 30, 2017

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80

30 January

Personal Prompt: Write an instruction manual for taking care of yourself.
Creative Prompt: Plan a surprise party for a friend. Who is the party for, what are you celebrating, where is the event being held and how will you decorate?

January 29, 2017

17 mins
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105

29 January

Personal Prompt: Write a letter to someone who has treated you poorly. Explain to them how their actions hurt you and strategize a […]

January 28, 2017

5 mins
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114

28 January

Personal Prompt: You sign up for a pen pal and are connected with someone who lives in a country on the other side of the globe. Tell them about your life and where you live.
Creative Prompt: You are on a baking competition and have to make a dessert that will impress the judges. Describe your prize-winning dish.

January 27, 2017

5 mins
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97

27 January

Personal Prompt: Name one thing that scares you? Discuss why it scares you and think of some ways you might be able to […]

January 26, 2017

7 mins
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110

26 January

Personal Prompt: Describe a time when someone treated you poorly. Looking back at the situation, is there a way you would have liked […]

January 26, 2017

5 mins
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101

JOY

Ahh… Joy! Today, for the first time in a very long time, I feel the first fleeting stirrings of joy. It feels […]

January 25, 2017

7 mins
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101

25 January

Personal Prompt: For those living with health issues, if you could cure yourself, would you? Why or why not? I don’t have health […]

January 24, 2017

5 mins
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90

24 January

Personal Prompt: Describe a time when someone treated you kindly. What made this interaction so special? Leading up to my hospitalisation last May, […]