Jasmine Bina’s Post

I hope that my book (coming in Feb 2025) will provide some orientation to an answer to Jasmine's prompt, along these lines: 1. The care of the dead is critical for the well-being of the community of the living. To understand how to care for the dead, you have to be able to answer the question, who are the dead to you? 2. The secret to living is knowing how to be with the dead. Sometimes this is interpreted individually: you have to know your, have a relationship with your, own death. That's true, but you also have to think historically and evolutionarily. Our cities are built atop the past, our highways run over graves. You have to be with all the dead, not just those of your tribes and families. *All* of the dead. 3. A cultural history of last words shows that we have abandoned ritualistic, culturally prescribed last words to our detriment. The beliefs and practices that have sprung up to mark the passage of a unique individual and their relationships are, in the long run, detrimental. Montaigne led the way; every anthology of "famous last words" has followed. It's better to acknowledge that when people die they become members of a collective--which they have always been, as we are. One way to do that is through ritual last words. 4. That history also explains why the shift occurred -- which is mirrored in first words, by the way. In short, people became anxious about their identity in time, and about the connection between the private experience of time and the public timeline. To get right about grief and death, you have to get right about time. 5. We need to balance the "as if" world making with the "as is" clarity of materialism -- but you can only do this if you know where the "as is" ends and the "as if" begins. I fleshed this out a bit more on my blog: https://lnkd.in/exceXFc4

So excited to introduce you to our newest Lived Experience Storyteller, James. He will be sharing his experiences and perspective every month, talking about life, rehab and everything in between. Hi, I’m James Kirkwood and I’m part of the Heads Together Young Adults community. I was 20 years old when I had brain surgery to remove an AVM (arteriovenous malformation). It was almost completed when a complication caused a bleed leading to three strokes which resulted in an acquired brain injury. The last four years have been a long road but I’m pushing forward every day and I want to share my experience with living with brain injury, rehab and rebuilding my life. I chose the name Different, Not Broken because it sums up how I feel about my brain injury and the message I want to send to other people. My injury changed everything about my life, but it doesn’t mean I can’t live my life or that I don’t have a whole life ahead of me. I chose this name for all the other young people out there with brain injuries, to encourage and give them strength that even though there are a lot of challenges we are not broken. We are all different and no two brain injuries are the same but we all still have the ability to grow and not let these challenges break us. I’m going to share about my experience through the rehab process because I want to show that while I want and need rehab to improve the quality of my life, I also don’t want to sacrifice my life in that process. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #headstogetherforbraininjury #nonprofit #braininjury #acquiredbraininjury #headinjury #traumaticbraininjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #ABIAwareness #ABISurvivor #TBISurvivor #braininjurysurvivor #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #UnderstandMeUnderstandMyBrainInjury #YouCantUnderstandWhatYouDontKnow #understandingbraininjury #20yearsHeadsTogether #differentnotbroken

Remember when we referenced “some other major life things”? Well. Two of those life things were some pretty significant deaths. Jessica lost her dad in Summer 2020 during the height of civil unrest and the Covid-19 pandemic. It was unexpected, we had only a few hours between the dreaded phone call that something is wrong… to he is no longer here. Our whole lives stopped. Nothing else mattered. It’s important to note, our families live in Texas and unfortunately there is no super quick way to get to where our families live. Life was fucking hard. Turns out we have some pretty amazing friends who jumped into high gear helping care for our fur babies, apartment at the time and delivering groceries and meals. We couldn’t have survived without our community. Just as life was beginning to feel normal again… Summer of 2023, Emily got the dreaded phone call that something was wrong. There was a bit more time, roughly two months, maybe, where life was in limbo. Her dad was diagnosed with cancer and everything moved quickly as it often does with death. Our whole lives stopped again and nothing else mattered. Life was fucking hard again. Emily packed her things in early October, went back to Texas while Jessica held down the fort in Illinois so that Emily was able to see her dad through his transition out of this life. Again, it would have been impossible to do without our community. And it became more clear than ever, we have a dream and there is simply no time to waste on waiting for funding, getting things perfectly in order to set ourselves up for success. It was time to jump. This initiated phase 2.. Oyanova Healing. #summer2020 #feelnormal #lifethings #life #deaths #friends #family https://loom.ly/TdHJBwY

For the longest time, I didn't really know how to feel about this day, because to be honest with you I didn't really know who or what I identified as, what kind of relationship I had with who I was pre brain injury or any real concrete answers as to why it happened. Quite a confusing time for me a few years. Filled with conflicting feelings and emotions. and i really on started to use this day as a point or reference for this changing point in my life when I became old enough to understand the concept of what an anniversary represented. Now i know who I am as a person an individual and as a young adult living with a brain injury. i know that my brain injury is only one aspect of the many facets that make up me. I don't look at this day with the level of dread that I once did. I kind of look at it like a day of reflection. Almost like a second birthday. Reflecting on what I have achieved and overcome what I want to work towards. It's also a time to give a nod to the Hailey that was. And all the ways in which I believe that I would have made her proud. It is also a time when I practice a bit more self-care and give myself more time a space to feel the things that i need to feel and to recover from this. i seek to surrounding myself with positive people that i know will understand or offer support and comfort. i tend to become a bit more selfish in making myself a priority at this time and making sure that i am mentally okay as this day can bring up a lot of feelings for me. One really important lesions i have learnt over the years is that it is really hard help anyone else if you are not in a good place yourself. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #headstogetherforbraininjury #nonprofit #braininjury #acquiredbraininjury #headinjury #traumaticbraininjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #ABIAwareness #ABISurvivor #TBISurvivor #braininjurysurvivor #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #UnderstandMeUnderstandMyBrainInjury #YouCantUnderstandWhatYouDontKnow #understandingbraininjury #20yearsHeadsTogether

The stigma of asking for help can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be that way. Some view it as a sign of weakness, while others see it as a positive exchange in life. Recently, I experienced firsthand the impact of offering and receiving help. Taking care of my mom this past month, juggling work commitments, and sacrificing sleep, I realized the true value of support and compassion. As an entrepreneur, I'm on a mission to change how we ask for help. Our platform aims to simplify the process, allowing friends and loved ones to step in without the need for direct requests. Understanding that people want to help, we're reshaping the narrative around seeking support. Let's make life easier for those who need it most. #WiTTGroup #WiTTForever #cancer #mom #entrepreneur #healthtech #fintech

🚀 It is often said that an old dog can't learn new tricks. Let's go ahead and blow the top off this type of thinking! 💥 We are each capable of shedding old thoughts and beliefs, learning new things, and embracing change. 🌱 When we cease to learn and grow, we become bound up and knotted like old muscles that haven't been used. We atrophy. But there's a powerful antidote to this ailment: choice. 🌟 Each day, each moment, we have the wonderful gift of choice at our fingertips. It is infinite in its availability and it makes all the difference. We can choose to learn new ways to think, process, heal, and engage in life. It all comes down to intentionality. 🎯 Choosing to heal is an act of courage and strength. It's about being intentional with our time, our energy, and our actions. It's about making a conscious decision to move forward, to seek help, and to embrace new possibilities. When we choose to be intentional, we unlock our potential and pave the way for growth and transformation. 💪🌿 Our nonprofit is dedicated to helping combat veterans heal trauma and reclaim their lives. Through various healing modalities like breathwork, yoga, sound baths, reiki, eco-therapy, and more, we empower veterans to make the choice to heal and thrive. 🌿✨ We are looking for sponsors and investors who share our vision and want to support our mission. Your partnership can help us make a profound impact on the lives of those who have given so much. Let's join forces and create a ripple effect of healing and growth. 🌊💪 Join us in making a difference! 🤝 #Veterans #Healing #Growth #NonProfit #SupportOurTroops #MentalHealth #VeteranSupport #Community #Change #Empowerment #TraumaRecovery #InvestInHealing #ChooseToHeal #IntentionalLiving #StrongerTogether

WHEN YOUR LIFE FALLS APART, LOOK FOR THE ANGELS... November 2019. I stood staring up, eyes closed in a slice of sunshine outside my Venice bungalow, everything I thought I knew stripped away. My 13-year business in Jackson Hole – sold. My beloved house next to Snow King – also sold. My engagement from that former life – shattered by betrayal. Just two years prior, as a 37-year-old woman who'd always dreamed of family, I'd chosen to rebuild from scratch in a city where I knew exactly two people. But here's the thing about hitting rock bottom – it shows you who's there to catch you. Los Angeles, a city known for its brutal indifference, became my City of Angels. They appeared everywhere – in Al-Anon meetings, yoga studios, conversations in various cafes. While my old life crumbled, a new one was quietly taking shape. Then came the plot twist. That business I'd had to sell? It turned into unexpected abundance. The move that felt like failure? It opened doors I never knew existed. The relationship that broke me? It led me to true partnership and two beautiful kiddos. But walking the streets of LA, this truth hit me hard: Not everyone gets angels when they fall. Some sleep on those same streets. Some fight battles alone. Some never get their plot twist. That's when it clicked. Sometimes YOU have to become the angel. In just 10 days, we rallied our community. 100 street kits for homeless youth. 100 backpacks filled with survival essentials. 100 handwritten notes saying "You're not alone." One Friendsgiving event that changed everything. The Well People was born. What I learned about transformation: Your worst chapter can become someone else's breakthrough. Your darkest moment can light the way for others. Your "failure" can fuel a movement. But here's the real truth... You don't need to wait for your perfect comeback story. You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to start. To show up. To do the next right thing. Want to be part of something bigger? 👉Look around. Someone in your network is facing their own rock bottom right now. They need an angel. 👉Take action TODAY. Nominate them for The Well People's Giving Tree. One simple form can change their holiday season: https://bit.ly/GTNomForm 👉If you're a business owner, become someone's plot twist. Sponsor our Giving Tree ornaments. Show them that rock bottom isn't the end of their story: https://lnkd.in/eZDGxZzP Remember: The Universe has a way of turning our biggest losses into our greatest contributions. But only if we're brave enough to stay in the game. Ready to turn your story into someone else's salvation? Join us at FailedFest on Dec 12th: https://lnkd.in/eaYUG4s9 (use code KIM50). Let's build a community where no one falls alone. Because sometimes the worst thing that ever happened becomes the best thing you could give away. Onwards and Upwards, 💛✨Kim #TheWellPeople #CommunityFirst #FailedFest #GivingTree #RisingTide

This is the weirdest request you’ll probably ever get on LinkedIn… Will you help me grow my family? Yes, that sounded so wild, I know, but hear me out! As many of those following me for years know, I have severe Endometriosis, a chronic condition that causes pain, fatigue, and unfortunately for me, infertility. Over the years, I’ve been through countless treatments, surgeries, and spending thousands upon thousands, all while trying to keep running my business. Unfortunately, in August, we lost our last chance at a child. I’ve spent months trying to figure out where to go next, and finally realized that there is a community here that has been there with me through it all that could actually help me with my biggest project yet. So, here’s the deal. I will not be asking for donations. I am the daughter of an immigrant that came to Canada with $25 and a dream. Ambition runs through my veins. But I need to jam pack my calendar for the rest of 2024 and 2025 to pay for a round of IVF. Here’s what I offer: ☕️ One-on-one LinkedIn coaching/profile reviews ☕️ LinkedIn training for teams and events ☕️ Sponsored collaborations with brands that align with me and my audience ☕️ Copywriting for LinkedIn profiles, content, websites, books, anything written ☕️ I also have LinkedIn courses on LinkedIn for Learning as well as a brand new one on GetResponse’s new course creation platform: https://lnkd.in/evjv_Vgv ☕️ I have my first book coming out in February 2025 but preorder is available now on Amazon and wherever books are sold! If you’ve ever thought about working together, now’s the time. Every project, every session, every partnership brings me one step closer to making this dream of completing my family a reality. And I know that there will be people that hate that I’m here, sharing something more personal than a how to video or bragging about an award. And to that, I say…I think work culture is changing. I felt it back in 2016 when I first started sharing stories and I feel it even more today. We want to connect, but on a deeper level than just “hey, how’s going?”. On a level where can look at each other eye to eye without a customer service voice and see the other person. So here I am, and I hope you’ll help me by boosting this post with a ❤️, comment, or share. Let’s do this 🙌 Love and coffee, Mick

My Brain Injury Anniversary - For so many people with acquired brain injuries, the idea of a birthday or anniversary can have a very different meaning because one of the things that's unique about this complex condition is that there is life before and after. For some this is a specific day, for others it might be a specific milestone, and depending on the age of the young person it might be more of an anniversary for the family than the young person. So this month, we are asking our community to share their perspective on brain injury anniversaries and how they mark these milestones, because just like brain injury, there is no one way of doing things. #ABI #TBI #braininjuryawareness #headstogetherforabi #headstogetherforbraininjury #nonprofit #braininjury #acquiredbraininjury #headinjury #traumaticbraininjury #braininjurysupport #mentalwellbeing #braininjuryadvocacy #inclusivity #LivedExperience #Volunteering #ABIAwareness #ABISurvivor #TBISurvivor #braininjurysurvivor #YouCantBeWhatYouCantSee #UnderstandMeUnderstandMyBrainInjury #YouCantUnderstandWhatYouDontKnow #understandingbraininjury #20yearsHeadsTogether

This SPEAKS to me on a visceral level. What I once thought I understood, I’m now growing in my awareness as I have had multiple iterations of adapting to a new body - most recently life on one leg. Perhaps the most important thing I want to draw attention to at this moment, though, is the cost of private home care - it’s astonishing how much it costs to be disabled in America. As she states - $840/day. “I am still adjusting to life again in a new body and way of life that requires a considerable number of resources, supplies, and machinery to stay alive and avoid institutionalization. The amount of maintenance and administrative work it takes to be disabled in America has also taken a toll—the additional out-of-pocket home care that I need now is $840 a day. With the donations from my GoFundMe dwindling, managing and directing a team of caregivers for my daily activities requires a lot of forethought and clear communication. Being disabled in a nondisabled world is precarious, one of constant adaptation. I remade myself into a new cyborg form that still has a voice, a breath, and a will to live.” To all of my colleagues in home care, we must fix this problem as a moral imperative. We must put our entrepreneurial brains together and start a conversation about a foundation/financial assistance for those who are in the gap between abundant wealth and Medicaid resources.