I had an interesting conversation yesterday with a new member of my local FibroHaven support group. Like so many who are learning to come to terms with their diagnosis, she is struggling with her current state of being. Repeatedly throughout our conversation she stated "I can't accept... (fill in the life changing aspect of chronic illness here)." Sitting before me was a former athlete and high-level executive who had the rewarding life she worked hard to create stripped away when she crashed with chronic illness. Everything she had once identified herself by is gone, and what is left is a … [Read more...]
Failure is Simply Opportunity in Disguise
Today should be day 24 of my 30 days of meditation. Instead it is the day I recommit myself to my personal goal of daily meditation. I do not consider it a failure that I meditated for the first week of May, and then let myself get away from it. Instead I think of it as a learning opportunity - a chance to examine my goals and purpose further, and to ask myself some thoughtful questions. Why did I stop? The easy answer is - I stopped because I went on a family trip, and with all the travel and socializing it was difficult to find the time. And when I returned home I had a lot of work … [Read more...]
The Language of Fibromyalgia
I have been thinking a lot lately about language, and about how our thoughts and words influence our beliefs and actions. If I say "I am in a lot of pain today," does that influence the way I deal with my pain that day? I think it does. Pain is not a static mass. Sit quietly and pay close attention to your pain. It moves, it fluctuates, it varies. Now if I state to myself or out loud that I am in a lot of pain, I may not allow myself the awareness to focus on and appreciate the moments when the pain is less. Sometimes I will find that I am in a good frame of mind - despite whatever … [Read more...]
Learning to Be Mindful Through Meditation
Book Review and Giveaway Last May I challenged myself to a 30 day writing project. My thought being, it takes roughly 30 days to develop a habit, so for each day in May I wrote a blog post. It was a success on some levels, but I failed at making writing a daily habit. Writing is a form of meditation for me. I write more than what you see here on my blog. I do not always enjoy the process of writing, but I enjoy it most when I am singularly focused on it and my only purpose is on finishing my current sentence and thought. I love those moments when I am completely absorbed in the act of … [Read more...]
Happiness is a Choice, Not a Condition
When I bought my husband tickets to the Carlos Santana concert in Vegas, I was excited because I knew how much he was going to enjoy and appreciate the experience. I had no idea that I would get so much out of it as well. Carlos Santana is much more than a talented musician. He is a spreader of joy, love, and happiness, and he uses his wizardry with the guitar as his platform. Throughout the evening he stopped the music and spoke from his heart. He spoke of the energy that is within each of us, and how we can choose to focus it on the good in the world. He spoke of the beauty in humanity … [Read more...]