Tag Archive | hope

Stop waiting for something good to happen…

Sep23

Every day God gives us the ability to make choices about many things in life, including what we think and say. Our thoughts affect our moods and actions. We all can control our thoughts and actions; therefore, we all have the ability to control whether we are happy and full of joy or sad and gloomy. We can also affect the way our bodies react to stress and pain by controlling our thoughts.

People who are negative in their thoughts and words are usually unhappy and rarely satisfied with anything for very long. Even if something great happens the moment flees quickly, and they tend to return being tired, upset, and sad once again. If they deal with things such as chronic pain, they are likely to have many higher pain days than those who focus on positive thoughts and words.

Thoughts and words are used because they go hand in hand. For example, when talking about recovery, if the focus is, “I can’t, I remember when I used to, I wish I could, and etc.” not only are these thoughts that run through our minds, but they are also spoken out loud which perpetuates the negative thoughts. They help keep us down, unsure, and unhappy. They make improvement impossible. We probably are unaware that we could be happy if we simply change the way we think. We wait around for good things to happen instead of fighting back to guarantee that positive things will happen.

When we work on controlling our thoughts and words, we can change our daily lives. Not to say that every day will be perfect, but we can still be happy even on the bad days. When we change our thoughts and words to, “I can, I will, or Look at what I can do now, etc.” We focus on the good, therefore, changing the narrative in our heads allowing our moods to be uplifted. When our moods are uplifted, we can deal with stress and pain much easier. We shift our focus to getting better and doing things like walking again. In turn, our lives are filled with joy and happiness instead of turmoil and sadness.

Regardless of life’s circumstances we all can have more joyful, peaceful, and healthier lives.  Instead of waiting around for good things to happen take action to ensure that something good will happen. Negative thoughts creep in and steel our joy and often take over. God entrusts us with making many decisions every day which include our thoughts and we must not take that lightly. Ask Him to help you choose positive thoughts and words which will allow Him to give you a more abundant life.

Our pain is real

Sep7

www.instagram.com/p/CEzIOshjxSX/

Every day can bring something different. Sometimes days start with low pain only to have it increase throughout the day. Living with chronic pain is draining not only for the body but for our mind.

Because you never know when pain is going to go from 3 to 7+ you worry about where you are going or who is going to be around. Are you going to be in public? Are you close to home? Is the a place where you can attempt to get some relief?

When living with chronic pain there are so many things to consider. Yes, medications do help some, but they never relieve the pain fully leaving us to find ways to cope.

Yoga and other forms of exercise can be beneficial. Learning to breathe and stretch can help during spasms allowing some relief. Everyone is different and we must all find what works for us.

Our struggle and pain is real even if we don’t look ill. Most people living with chronic pain do there best not to show it and to stay positive. But when we have high pain days and can not do much don’t call us lazy or think we are faking it . Instead show compassion and understanding. Pray for us in those moments and let God’s healing hands do the rest.

Our world has changed, but we can unite

Aug26

So beautiful! Our world has changed and so many have been affected by Covid, but we can still unite. Please watch this beautiful unification of our everchanging world and share it with others.

May His grace be with us all!

Little steps

Aug21

Yoga continues to be a must for continued progress in regaining more stability. Because without proprioception and balance just standing is difficult. Each day continues to bring challenges whether it is high pain, increased spasticity, or both. Yoga helps with reducing spasticity through stretching while reducing pain through breathing and relaxation. There are times on high pain days where all I can do is rest, but whenever possible taking time to do at least 30m mins. of yoga seems to help me to continue to progress. 

When I first started I could barely lift my leg/legs and had to hold on with both hands. My body is gradually regaining more balance and proprioception allowing me to tell where my leg/legs are in space. This is crucial for walking.

Being able to balance and lift my leg behind while holding for 3 full breaths is such an improvement. I can feel my leg and ankle adjusting while I hold the position. This is also being done without engaging the breaks on my walker making use my core.

As you can see, I can elevate one leg high than the other. Because of the loss of proprioception and balance on the left side of my body it is much more difficult to engage fully.

Yoga continues to be a must for continued progress in regaining more stability. Because without proprioception and balance just standing is difficult. Each day continues to bring challenges whether it is high pain, increased spasticity, or both. Yoga helps with reducing spasticity through stretching while reducing pain through breathing and relaxation. There are times on high pain days where all I can do is rest, but whenever possible taking time to do at least 30m mins. of yoga seems to help me to continue to progress.  I am so thankful for all God has brought me through over the past few years. All glory belongs to Him!

 

 

Getting back to “normal”

Aug16

Having the ability to cook without worrying about falling has helped me feel more confident. Using my LifeGlider has given me the use of my hands while having better balance. I have always enjoyed cooking for my family, but when I lost proprioception and balance it was almost impossible to stand and cook using a regular walker because I had to constantly had look a my legs/feet so that my brain could register where my legs were at all times otherwise any slight weight shift would send me falling. So blessed to have found a great device that allows me to stand up straight, walk more correctly all the while being safe.