Remember: Just who you will be is up to you. These are the words that Maria Shriver leaves us with in her book
Just Who Will You Be? It is a very powerful and scary statement.
I have received various emails over the past couple of months from persons who express a strong desire to move beyond the physical and/or emotional pain they are suffering. They want to know how I am able to wake each day; write so positive and keep moving forward, after everything that I have and continue to go through.
Well, let me tell you – I am no better, nor different from any of you and I have no magic wand. I still have days, where getting out of bed is a huge struggle be it due to lack of energy, pain, or just feeling at a loss. When I started blogging I made a pledge to myself to write less about these more challenging days, and more about the better days. To be honest there are some days that I still do not make it out of bed all day – thankfully these have become less frequent – and I also have days where I do not leave the house, pajamas are the day’s attire. Like you I search for the Holy Grail of Healing.
I have found in the struggle to keep moving forward the support, encouragement and help I receive from family, friends, care-team, pets, my new Blog friends and let’s not forget my pride and vanity; play a huge role in my day to day functionality.
It is important to surround yourself with POSITIVE people. This unfortunately, may require you to distance yourself from love-ones, who are always focusing on the negative effects of this detour in your life - or who always talk about how your situation affects them - instead of trying to encourage you to move forward. This distance may be temporary or permanent, that is up to you.
To further expand on the above points and to share tools that have been instrumental in getting me this far and others that keep me going; my Monday posts will be dedicated to “Picking up the Pieces”.
I look forward to your continued emails and post comments. Know that the comments you leave encourage not just me, but also others who stop by for a visit and read.
I have received various emails over the past couple of months from persons who express a strong desire to move beyond the physical and/or emotional pain they are suffering. They want to know how I am able to wake each day; write so positive and keep moving forward, after everything that I have and continue to go through. 
I'm so sorry to hear of your struggle, but so happy that you are sharing it with others who need encouragement with their day-to-day struggles. I live with a chronic illness that has brought me much pain and suffering through the years and began journaling about it as a way to vent. A couple of years ago I decided that perhaps what I had learned could help others too. My book was just at the New York Book Expo in May. Come visit my site or leave me a message. Although we don't share the same struggle, I think we can understand the journey.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you.
Mary
It is so hard to compare life NOW to life how it used to be. I do that too. And it makes me sad. I am sorry you struggle, and trust me, I understand. Let us readers know when you need some encouragement and we will be there. You are not alone. XOXO, J
ReplyDeleteOh dearest, you are so right here. POSITIVE PEOPLE are a treasure, and do you know that many bloggers have challenged me with their own positive and encouraging posts, that I make sure that I never vent out on my blog. THAT has shaped even the way I am in "real" life.....there is a saying you know, "Fake it 'til you make it", in other words, PRACTICE and PRACTICE and then we start changing our habits. However, I know that you often feel physical pain, and for that I am soooooooo sorry. You are so sweet and kind to come to visit me for my farewell. I am leaving early Friday morning, so I won't be around really, after tonight! Tomorrow is packing day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you dear friend. Anita
You are always so inspiring and for that I thank you. I cannot begin to imagine what you have and continue to go through. I'm very grateful that the worst issue was PMDD which ruled my life. But that's a scratch compared to the challenges you, and so many others, have faced and continue to face. I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteYour attitude is a continuing inspiration for me, honestly. And you're so right, sometimes it's necessary to distance yourself from negative people even if they are family members. They can be most toxic without meaning to.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment on my 100 followers post, and all your kind words that came before. :)
It's a wonderful thing that you are relating to your readers what you went through and how positive thinking can get us through the rough times! I for one, need to stop and remember that complete strangers I come in contact with daily might be suffering in one way or the other!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. Thank you so much for all of your love on my blog. It blessed me so much to meet you through Frenchy. I was so pleasantly surprised she did a post about me!
ReplyDeleteOn the subject of being positive, you are SO right. You are wise for knowing that it is vital to be around the right people! I am just learning this myself, with God's help.
Anyway, just wanted to stop by and thank you again for all of your love. Your kind words were such a bright spot in my day, today. I am a new follower and can't wait to stop by more often.
Lots of love to you : )
Laura