Finding Balance in Your Life

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope that you are all doing well and feeling your best, enjoying the warm sunshine and long of summer!
I have been doing my best to enjoy these warm days, since it has finally stopped raining. I love being outdoors with the sun on my face, but no wind in my hair please and thank you. Wind has become an enemy of mine since my diagnosis with syringomyelia. The nerve damage that I have makes the feel of wind on my skin comparable to that of sharp blades, or tacks, prodding me. You can imagine how uncomfortable that would be. So I avoid windy days, living in Kansas, that means a lot of time indoors. That's where I have found the importance of hobbies. Writing, coloring, zentangles, reading, word games ...these things have saved me. Well, that and Amazon. I love being able to have almost anything delivered right to my door. I just need a small elf to come in and help with chores!

So, today I write from my bed. I have been sick for a couple of days and struggling to do the slightest activity.

This added to the muscle I pulled in my neck about a month ago, I feel as good as someone who has been run down by a steam roller ...twice. This muscle in my neck has gone up the back of my head, creating limited movement, excessive pain, and activity limitations that I'm not too happy about. I was fishing with my husband when I pulled this muscle, it happened when it was still fairly cool outside, I began having spasms in my neck and shoulder area, I immediately set my pole down, and went to lay in the truck. I have been paying for that night ever since. Catching the largest crappie that night is no consolation for a months worth of suffering. Now, I wait until I know it's warmer outside, still in need of a light jacket even when it's 80 degrees, and I take a book to read. I have become a spectator. I won't be bitter (entirely) I have a lot to be thankful for and without those thoughts, I would go insane over the changes this disease has brought about. I pray each of you are able to find some normalcy, or peace, amongst the battles of your life.

Finding balance in your life when you have a chronic illness is extremely difficult, everyday presents a new challenge, sometimes it is those unknowns that knock you off of your feet. Let them. Let those unknowns bring you down but only a little. Enough to allow your body to rest and to feel what's happening, it's your bodies way of telling you something. I knew that I shouldn't have been outside in that weather, but I had to, I have to push myself to do things that I enjoy. Even when the consequences will knock my bodies defenses down. I don't recommend doing this on a regular basis, but sometimes a person just has to remember what it's like to not think about how everything they do will make them feel tomorrow. I never engage in anything that will harm me permanently, but getting out and doing ...keeps your mind strong. A strong mind and spirit will do wonders for a persons health.

I hope you all find what you need to put a smile on your face, and the faces of others! I'm off to rest now.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, I truly hope it helps you in some way. Follow me on facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more posts, pictures, and sharing!

I wish you plenty …of love, understanding, support, spoons, and dreams come true!

Monica Reents