Glimpse into Motivation Monday - BREATHE - week 20

 

Allow yourself the frustration, the anger, the sadness, the fear, the loneliness.

Allow yourself the hope, the prayer, the optimism, the expectation, the aspiration.

Know that you are not alone in this fight, and if you keep strong, no matter how empty you feel, something good will come. There is no other option. Giving up will not bring happiness.

You are strong. You are loved.

You can make it.

Glimpse into my atricle contribution for Your Zen Life!....ME/CFS International Awareness Day - May 12th

I wrote an article for International Awareness Day for the Your Zen Life website, and it was published last week! If you are interested in reading it, it is on the website at http://www.yourzenlife.com/post/me-cfs-international-awareness-day-may-12th, or read below.

Magnifying Moments

Magnifying Moments

~ See the good...gluten free jelly snakes after a hard day. 

~ Feel the happy...seeing a message from a friend.

~ Brighten your mind...bees keep the whole world alive.
~ Find the moment...snuggling with a puppy. 

See the good (small things to be grateful for)

Feel the happy (small things to be happy about)

Brighten your mind (small things to be fascinated by)
Find the moment (small things to plan to see/do/feel)

A glimpse into changing our focus

Something which I have come to realise is that the small things in life, which we so often overlook, can actually be defining and motivating moments which can change our course, our perspective, our appreciation and our happiness. When the universe forces us to stop, due to something like a chronic illness, it is often then when we realise the beauty and wisdom in such small moments.

Today, I was fascinated by the stunning shape and texture and colours made by a tree's thick bark, slowly bending and shedding itself from the trunk. I would never have contemplated such a simple thing prior to my illness, but now that my body has slowed me down, I see things differently. 

This has made me think, why do we wait until something forces us to see the little things? 

I have decided to start a new blog series. I want to help people see the good in each day. 

If you are rushing about, too busy with life, this is pertinent for you. Start to look at the small things, and make the most of the opportunity to do so without being forced to stop. 

If you have already been slowed down, this is also for you. I have really noticed how ackowledging the small things helps me get through each day, when the big things can seem so overwhelming. Instead of focusing on what you can no longer do, or the financial worries you might have, or the people you don't see anymore, look at the amazing things that blossom within the tiny moments of each day.

As often as possible, I will put up on the blog a short post consisting of the following list:

~ See the good (small things to be grateful for)

~ Feel the happy (small things to be happy about)

~ Brighten your mind (small things to be fascinated by)
~ Find the moment (small things to plan to see/do/feel)

I am calling this series "Magnifying Moments".

I hope you join me on this journey of making time to put more focus on the little things, and gaining the understanding of the enormity of doing so. I would love to hear about what you see along your journey too, and how these thoughts and moments enhance you and your life.

Glimpse into a day in the life of a sufferer of Myalgic Encephalomyeltis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

As part of raising awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) leading up to the International Awareness Day on May 12th, I decided that I would document an average day for me, a sufferer of ME/CFS.

 

Wednesday April 30th, 2014:

11am: I wake up just after 11am, feeling groggy and tired. I lie there for about half an hour, before picking up my phone and looking at messages and social media. I take my blood pressure and heart rate to check how they are due to starting a new medication two weeks ago. The usual spot to the left of my belly button is aching right through to the other side of my body; a sign my food intolerances have been aggravated.

12pm: I drag myself out of bed so that I can get some food to take with my morning medications (which I am late to take due to the unavoidable sleep in). I collect my tablets and food (my Mum makes up my breakfast at the moment, which is an amazing help), and climb back into bed. Feeling tired and dizzy, I eat my breakfast (lunch?!) and, although my bowl of quinoa and chia with raspberries and strawberries is delicious, I quickly move the pillows down again to a position close enough to lying down as possible while trying to allow a position of "I am letting my food go down." I turn my audiobook on (yep, you caught me - I have started our book club book, "Gone Girl" a day early :-P), and snuggle under the doona to get warm, feeling my eye lids fight the knowledge that it is the afternoon. My heart is thumping after the exertion of eating, and my legs are heavy and wobbly after standing when I put my breaky in a bowl, and got all of my medications together.

1pm: Mum subtlety asks me what time it is. Ten minutes later, she asks me whether I think I should really get up now and move about. My impending nap is clouded by motivational guilt, and I turn the audiobook off. By 1:30pm, I drag myself out of bed, pull on some comfy leggings, and migrate to the couch.

Glimpse into part two: things to do when your body doesn't want to play ball -Wellness Wednesday week 16

Last Wellness Wednesday, I blogged 5 ideas for things to do when you are chronically unwell, to keep yourself entertained and happy. You can read them here. This week, I bring you five more ideas!

1. Do a chore. I know, I know, I said that these ideas would entertain you and make you happy! Finding a chore that you can handle without making yourself more unwell however, can be so effective in the healing process. It is physiotherapy, and it helps you feel like you contribute something to the world, no matter how small. It also helps you work towards the elusive and tantalising dream of a Spoonie...that thing they call independence! (Don't know what a Spoonie is? Read the post where I wrote about it here).
Something I enjoy doing when I have some energy is baking, or cooking a simple meal. Hidden in the joy of filling the house with delicious smells, and your belly with healthy treats, are exercises which strengthen your arms, walking and movement as you get the almond meal from the fridge, and squats to empower your legs as you reach for bowls in the cupboards. Find something that you can enjoy which won't set you back for days. Walk with your helper/friend/family member around the shops as they do the groceries. Wipe the kitchen bench. Fold the washing. Load the dishwasher. It might seem like a little thing compared to what you used to do, but from little acorns...

Glimpse into International Awareness Day May 12th