Day by day, gaining control over sciatica proves a step-by-step process—slow and in need of patience ...
It's not as though I'm back to running around ... definitely not ready for full swing mobility. Even so, this week proved a turning point in that my mind was less occupied with managing physical pain, much more ready to work at encouraging others to soothe emotional pain in hopes that logical problem solving can begin. As timing is everything, luckily, I fielded several calls and emails requesting help. Knowing one can be of help is good for the spirit :)
Though expressing frustration may take only a minute, an astute reply, discussed in depth, can require an hour ... Whether conversing or writing, as the case may be ... so the less the intensity of my pain, the more my minds-eye feels ready to focus on the serious work of encouraging others to discover and heal emotional wounds buried so deep within the subconscious as to emerge, feeling as raw as if those tender years of childhood were upon us, once again.
Though pain management can be an energy drainer, encouraging others to embrace courageous and thus non combative, inter connective communication techniques injects my spirit with renewed bursts of energy. And as a good portion of this past week has seen my mind engaging with exactly that, my attitude, conscious of pain turning a corner, emanates an energetic sense of well being. Why? Well, it's plain to see that each time I take good care of myself and pain decreases, I feel less inclined to bench myself, more likely to run bases, again. :) I've also come to see that though I've learned to request physical help, I'm still hesitant to reveal a need for emotional support when pain is great, and perhaps that's true of many of you, as well. Unfortunately, we are taught that exhibiting honest need for emotional support is ... weak.
Fortunately when I am down, Ellie, my right arm for many years, offers huge amounts of her time, which increases my mobility, concerning appointments. Though Ellie's not led an easy life, her generous smile ignites so readily that I delight in her company.
Though in the past Angie had been a consistent companion when physical pain kept me housebound, in recent years her work leaves little down time; however that change offers me no problem, because I've always occupied myself with reading, writing or creating surprise gifts for several children, who, though living in a variety of states, continue to delight me as though they lived across the street and came knocking on my door eager for play dates, every few days. Recently, a harried friend, several years younger than I am, said Annie, if you can create so many small gifts to send to a slew of kids that means you have waaay too much time on your hands. I responded with a smile and food for thought:
Too much time? At this stage of my life? Not at all ... more like just the right amount of time to divide between working at what I love and entertaining myself while touching loved ones in heartfelt ways. I mean, if I can't enjoy the best of both worlds at this stage of my life then when might anyone expect to experience a healthy sense of balance? These are my golden years, indeed :)
Actually thinking back to those hurry-up years, when I was teaching, writing articles, sitting on boards, volunteering—all while raising a passel of 'wild and crazy', independently minded, little guys—guess what? Neighborhood children actually rang my bell, hoping for playdates—with me :) In fact, next week, I'm looking forward to enjoying a play date with one of my favorites, who's coming for lunch with her one year old in tow ... so if you and I were ever lucky enough to meet, it should come as no surprise if you see sunbeams of spirited high jinx shining forth from within my eyes, because my heart has never learned to cover feelings of pure delight :)
Here's another situation, which, while fueling my spirit, pushes physical pain onto a back burner inside my mind—all six of my mom's grandchildren have taken it upon themselves to plan the momentous occasion of their grandma's 100th birthday festivities. Seriously—the fact that all six are planning this gala at a time when my energy source feels taxed injects my spirit with a healthy dose of smiles. In addition to taking care of my sister and me, their heartfelt call to action offers my mom sound reason to feel the depths of their love. Though leadership comes naturally to me, I'm thoroughly embracing my role of watching my sons and their cousins step up to the plate.
Long ago, I read a study, surmising that *it's not how much you love you child but how loved your child feels that matters. This study suggests leadership's role in injecting healthy doses of love into each relationship, daily, while at the same time learning to discipline our young, effectively. And as friends and family come together in celebration of our loved one's younger-than-springtime, hundredth year, it's heartening for our beloved centurian to breathe in and feel such an abundance of love flowing from heart to heart to heart—pulsing through her veins :)
The fact that I've resumed stretch sessions with my trainer, Mike, is another plus. And I LOVE experiencing the water's gentle resistance each time Angi and I (in new bathing suit) spend half an hour gabbing away, uh, I mean walking, twice weekly, in her pool. My recent purchase of bathing suit and an aqua pro, which allows me to walk, weighted, in water, adds to my growing sense of well being :)
All things considered (including the fact that I am driving short distances, again, which had proved beyond my reach for six weeks) the bigger picture painted, today, offers sound reason for my ending this post by summarizing my spirit's choice of consciously summoning naturally sunny smiles because—Life is good :)
It's not as though I'm back to running around ... definitely not ready for full swing mobility. Even so, this week proved a turning point in that my mind was less occupied with managing physical pain, much more ready to work at encouraging others to soothe emotional pain in hopes that logical problem solving can begin. As timing is everything, luckily, I fielded several calls and emails requesting help. Knowing one can be of help is good for the spirit :)
Though expressing frustration may take only a minute, an astute reply, discussed in depth, can require an hour ... Whether conversing or writing, as the case may be ... so the less the intensity of my pain, the more my minds-eye feels ready to focus on the serious work of encouraging others to discover and heal emotional wounds buried so deep within the subconscious as to emerge, feeling as raw as if those tender years of childhood were upon us, once again.
Though pain management can be an energy drainer, encouraging others to embrace courageous and thus non combative, inter connective communication techniques injects my spirit with renewed bursts of energy. And as a good portion of this past week has seen my mind engaging with exactly that, my attitude, conscious of pain turning a corner, emanates an energetic sense of well being. Why? Well, it's plain to see that each time I take good care of myself and pain decreases, I feel less inclined to bench myself, more likely to run bases, again. :) I've also come to see that though I've learned to request physical help, I'm still hesitant to reveal a need for emotional support when pain is great, and perhaps that's true of many of you, as well. Unfortunately, we are taught that exhibiting honest need for emotional support is ... weak.
Fortunately when I am down, Ellie, my right arm for many years, offers huge amounts of her time, which increases my mobility, concerning appointments. Though Ellie's not led an easy life, her generous smile ignites so readily that I delight in her company.
Though in the past Angie had been a consistent companion when physical pain kept me housebound, in recent years her work leaves little down time; however that change offers me no problem, because I've always occupied myself with reading, writing or creating surprise gifts for several children, who, though living in a variety of states, continue to delight me as though they lived across the street and came knocking on my door eager for play dates, every few days. Recently, a harried friend, several years younger than I am, said Annie, if you can create so many small gifts to send to a slew of kids that means you have waaay too much time on your hands. I responded with a smile and food for thought:
Too much time? At this stage of my life? Not at all ... more like just the right amount of time to divide between working at what I love and entertaining myself while touching loved ones in heartfelt ways. I mean, if I can't enjoy the best of both worlds at this stage of my life then when might anyone expect to experience a healthy sense of balance? These are my golden years, indeed :)
Actually thinking back to those hurry-up years, when I was teaching, writing articles, sitting on boards, volunteering—all while raising a passel of 'wild and crazy', independently minded, little guys—guess what? Neighborhood children actually rang my bell, hoping for playdates—with me :) In fact, next week, I'm looking forward to enjoying a play date with one of my favorites, who's coming for lunch with her one year old in tow ... so if you and I were ever lucky enough to meet, it should come as no surprise if you see sunbeams of spirited high jinx shining forth from within my eyes, because my heart has never learned to cover feelings of pure delight :)
Here's another situation, which, while fueling my spirit, pushes physical pain onto a back burner inside my mind—all six of my mom's grandchildren have taken it upon themselves to plan the momentous occasion of their grandma's 100th birthday festivities. Seriously—the fact that all six are planning this gala at a time when my energy source feels taxed injects my spirit with a healthy dose of smiles. In addition to taking care of my sister and me, their heartfelt call to action offers my mom sound reason to feel the depths of their love. Though leadership comes naturally to me, I'm thoroughly embracing my role of watching my sons and their cousins step up to the plate.
Long ago, I read a study, surmising that *it's not how much you love you child but how loved your child feels that matters. This study suggests leadership's role in injecting healthy doses of love into each relationship, daily, while at the same time learning to discipline our young, effectively. And as friends and family come together in celebration of our loved one's younger-than-springtime, hundredth year, it's heartening for our beloved centurian to breathe in and feel such an abundance of love flowing from heart to heart to heart—pulsing through her veins :)
The fact that I've resumed stretch sessions with my trainer, Mike, is another plus. And I LOVE experiencing the water's gentle resistance each time Angi and I (in new bathing suit) spend half an hour gabbing away, uh, I mean walking, twice weekly, in her pool. My recent purchase of bathing suit and an aqua pro, which allows me to walk, weighted, in water, adds to my growing sense of well being :)
All things considered (including the fact that I am driving short distances, again, which had proved beyond my reach for six weeks) the bigger picture painted, today, offers sound reason for my ending this post by summarizing my spirit's choice of consciously summoning naturally sunny smiles because—Life is good :)
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