Be Brave, My Friends (Guest)

Dear Fellow "ChronicBabes",

Today I want to share with you a short, simple message: Be brave in the face of chronic illness. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by fear or sadness. It’s easy to get confused, or to feel swamped with questions about the unknown—or to be angry about having to live with something you didn’t plan for, or don’t want to face. These feelings can weigh you down, and can fester and turn into fear.

Fear can hold you back. Fear can stop you in your tracks. Fear can keep you from being the truly awesome Babe you are meant to be.

I know this because I’ve let fear stop me before. I can tell you this because I’ve been there myself—I’ve experienced times in my life when fear overwhelmed me and stopped me cold.

But every day, I recommit myself to stand up against my fears and to live an incredible life in spite of chronic illness. And today is really one of those days—a day when I am truly standing tall and meeting my fear face-to-face, looking it square in the eye, saying hello to it, and then walking right on by. Fear is not going to stop me from being an awesome ChronicBabe, no matter how sick I am. I am going to rock this life!

Maybe this fear-fighting idea is old news to you; in that case, let this simply be a gentle reminder from a good friend. On the other hand, maybe this is a fresh idea for you; in that case, I hope you’ll consider printing this email and carrying it in your pocket for a few days, re-reading it each time you feel fear tug at your sleeve. (This is a favorite trick of mine.)

Feel fear? Face it down. Don’t let it stop you. I believe in you! And if you want to talk about your favorite fear-busting techniques, come on over to the Forum and we can have a chat about it.  I’ve already started a list there of some of my favorite fear-fighting techniques and I think our Forum members will be posting lots more.

Thanks for sharing this moment with me, friends. Be AWAP… (As. Well. As. Possible.)

XO,


Editrix Jenni

chronicbabe.com 

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Passing the Invisible Boundary (Guest)

Passing the Invisible Boundary

If one advances confidently in the direction of their dream, endeavoring to live the life they are imagining, he will put somethings behind. He will pass the invisible boundary. ~Emerson

I dream of being whole. I dream of healing. I dream of living with passion and with purpose and without pain. I am not there yet, but I am headed confidently in that direction.

After one month of yoga teacher training, I am certain I am on the right path. In this short time I have learned that although suffering exists, so too does happiness, and I have the ability to nurture my happiness, which in turn diminishes my suffering.

I have learned there are specific causes of suffering I have control over – what I eat, what I think, how I react. I can choose to nurture rather than deplete. We can all make this choice.

I am learning to live a mindful life – mindful of how I contribute to my suffering. Awareness is key. I am aware of my suffering, and aware that in me is the ability to acknowledge suffering while not living in suffering. It is imperative that I acknowledge my suffering if I ever hope to move past it. I can never understand a part of myself that I ignore or that I deny. Cessation of suffering comes only with awareness.

With awareness our actions are liberating and creative. When we are unmindful, we become caught in our conditioning and reactivity, and this conditioned reactivity keeps us bound to the cycle of suffering. ~Frank Jude Boccio, Mindfulness Yoga

I have been aware of the physical benefits of yoga for some time. That is why I made the decision to enroll in teacher training – I knew it would continue to help me heal, and in turn I could continue to inspire others to do the same. But I was not expecting the spiritual growth I am now experiencing. I was not mindful – but I am heading confidently in that direction.

Yoga is mind-body-spirit.
Yoga is all encompassing.
Yoga is life.
Yoga is gently leading me through the invisible boundaries.

What is your "Yoga"? ...

I’m NOT alright – A women’s perspective of FM by Graceful Agony

Graceful Agony

But you don't look sick?

FIBRO... There is no treatment, cure or even an accurate diagnosis ... :(

Fibromyalgia has changed my life... Although it is not all bad; given a choice it is not something I would have chosen for myself or have wish on anyone else.  It has however; given me a good reason to take care of myself, a gratitude for what I do have and an appreciation for what I still can do. (this acceptance has been a long process). 

As National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (May 12th) approaches... I wanted to clue you in on a few key points:

There still are NO diagnostic tests available... (how frustrating?)
"Currently there are no laboratory tests available for diagnosing Fibromyalgia. Doctors must rely on patient histories, self-reported symptoms, a physical examination and an accurate manual tender point examination."

Diagnosis is delayed and expensive... 

"It is estimated that it takes an average of five years for an FM patient to get an accurate diagnosis. Many doctors are still not adequately informed or educated about FM. Laboratory tests often prove negative and many FM symptoms overlap with those of other conditions, thus leading to extensive investigative costs and frustration for both the doctor and patient. "

Other issues may complicate diagnosis...

"Another essential point that must be considered is that the presence of other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, does not rule out an FM diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is not a diagnosis of exclusion and must be diagnosed by its own characteristic features."

Currently we are limited to only two criteria...

"To receive a diagnosis of FM, the patient must meet the following diagnostic criteria:

1- Widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months.

2- Tenderness or pain in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is applied

My particular petpeve; the medical community is so quick to prescribe drugs and recommend invasive treatments ... even without a diagnosis...

We still have so much work to do. Fibromyalgia is a debilitating, life changing illness effecting millions of people; and many that may not even know it's name.  For those suffering ... "a name" can make all the difference.

Your thoughts...experiences???

Please mark your calendar: May 12th

From Haiti to hospital beds... to perspective...

I was thinking that it was a rough week for ME... returning to work and the daily routine after a long vacation. I was even feeling a bit sorry for myself; my fibromyalgia was particularly bad, acting up due to my changes in diet, routine and sleeping schedule.

While in a particular self-focused moment; crying and venting with my hubby... about how unfair life is and how it sucks! His response was a calm "it could be much worse..." yeah his way of trying to make me feel better. lol ... Got to love that man!!!

Well... as the week progressed...

Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake; I learned that old friends of ours were there on a missionary visit... their family didn't know if they were dead or alive...

my brother in-law was rushed to the hospital .. he almost died.

I was driving home and had to swerve to avoid a very serious collision ... if one element was different (if I didn't see the car in the road in-time, if the guy behind me didn't stop and swerve also, if there had been anyone coming in the other direction..etc.)

So yeah... my life could be worse... I am surrounded by a warm loving family, I have the best friends anyone could ask for ... my fibro is manageable most days, with healthy lifestyle choices... I am blessed.

(BTW: My friends are home safe from Haiti, my brother-in-law is on the mend & 4+ cars did not collide in a split second on Friday night changing dozens of lives forever.)

Please pray for all the devastated lives in Haiti... I will be; while gratefully counting the blessings... it is all in perspective...