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Cleopatra’s Inner Beauty

Chronic illness and pain have a way of allowing us to see the world through a different set of eyes, seeing far beyond surface beauty and the shallowness of misperceived notions. During the months and years of illness, use your time wisely and find what is truly important to you. Beauty can be seen from the inside out, through the art of claiming your inner glow, even during chronic illness. Let’s look at how we can gain that inner glow about us through Cleopatra’s example of truly being beautiful.

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Giddy With Excitement

When was the last time you were so excited you were giddy? I mean actually giddy. The kind that feels like a kid in wonderland. I don’t want to walk. I don’t want to take one step at a time. I want to run towards the light, fling open the doors and soak in all that life has to offer. I can see it right in front of me. I can feel rays of hope surround me. I know that it is just right there, right in front of me.  I can see the opening beaming with sunshine and the inviting doorknob. Let’s go….

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Guys, Dig Roses!

Guys, have you considered buying your lady a rose bush instead of store-bought roses? Are you aware of the difference in scent and beauty? Are you aware that one bush can yield dozens of yearly roses, year after year? Did you know that one plant costs less than 6 store-bought roses? Did you know that YOU will be remembered and given credit for each and every rose that bush produces? Rose bushes can take as much or as little care as you are willing to put into them and still produce beautiful roses. The benefits are something to consider. The clincher is that you can buy them at your local hardware store or big-box home improvement store. Many of you are already there so you are running out of excuses. Dig a hole next to your door or in a pot and make your lady happy. Gals, do this for yourself as a treat. Easy and rewarding.

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Treasured Moments

Treasured moments are etched in our memories and hearts, always valued dearly. There were a couple of times I crawled with my kids through our attic window to watch fireworks from the rooftop. Grateful for our country and our freedom and the many who have fought for it. Without those who have served in this capacity I would not have had those treasured memories on our roof. Those same children would not have their freedoms today to be uniquely who they were made to be as young adults. May all of you find treasured moments this year with a happy and safe Fourth of July.

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The whole world is still in your hands during illness

We live on a planet with more places to visit and live than we could ever get to in a whole lifetime. It is almost limitless. Visiting different geographical locations helps to change our perspective. It is also healthy to explore far beyond our house and beyond our home cities. Great, now how in this big world does one figure out how to get past the front door when you have chronic illness and pain and there is no physical way to get anywhere past the four walls of your own home? No matter how big your house is, there is only so much you can take of it when you are looking at the same four walls year after year. There is always a way to explore and get out of our own four walls. Be adventuresome and explore the possibilities.

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Energy of Hopelessness

“Life is happening to me and there is nothing I can do about it. Life is not on my side. I did not ask to get sick and I have no control over this situation. No one understands, no one truly helps, nobody cares. How did this happen to me, this is devastating, I am stuck with this poor health.”

Been there done that. You will never hear judgment from me on that kind of thinking. Having chronic illness, pain and isolation was by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my lifetime. It stinks, no getting around it. So, I get it, but these thoughts keep us sicker than we need to be, they keep us in a state of hopelessness which feeds the illness.

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Feed Your Freak

If you are a control freak I have some great tips how to feed your freak using daily walks. This morning my “freak” came out as you can see in my nutty picture. I usually try hard not to be controlling but this time I think it can be beneficial. Realizing that I was manipulating my environment and choices this morning, I thought about how many ways we can control our daily walks.

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How to get the most out of “exercise” when you have chronic illness and pain – Part 2

It is truly monumental for a person with chronic illness and pain to move their bodies. The pain and exhaustion from the simple thought of moving our bodies can be daunting. Traditional exercise is not realistic. We covered a few ideas to “exercise” by getting the brain moving when you cannot get the body moving in Part 1. Now let’s look at how to “exercise” when you are able to take a few steps.

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How to get the most out of “exercise” when you have chronic illness and pain – Part 1

When we are in the middle of chronic illness and pain exercise is rarely a consideration. Transporting our hurting bodies from the bed to the sofa takes as much energy as a marathon. A daily shower is laughable but sometimes a requirement so we painfully get through it and need the afternoon to recover from the event. If you have never had chronic illness and pain don’t worry, we don’t expect for your brain to wrap around this. We would never wish for you to go through it. For those of us who have experienced it or have watched loved ones struggle through it, we get it. So, how in the world do you even consider exercise in this state? There is always a way! Continue reading How to get the most out of “exercise” when you have chronic illness and pain – Part 1

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Overflow to a Negative Friend

We have all had friends that are negative and suck the life out of us. We have had to learn how to deal with them and our own limitations. There are times when we don’t answer their phone calls just to avoid the drama. There are times when we are so depleted ourselves that there is nothing left to give much less to someone who will always take more than their share. Yet what do you do when they are a true friend and you really do want to show support and love instead of turning your back?

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