Phew...Thank you steroids! I made it!

"A strong woman stands up for herself.  A stronger woman stands up for everyone else."  ~  Author Unknown

Hello my friends!
It has been a month since I wrote
for all of us!
What a crazy, busy, fun,
but sick and painful month it was!

Here is my quick rundown of
what I had going on...
~My daughter graduating College
an hour away~
~Celebrating afterwards
~A three hour speaking engagement
to write, publish and present as
the "Motivational Speaker"
~My cousin had an Art gallery opening
and had two night events
~getting our basement finished (construction)
and decorated, because my in-laws are coming
from England...
~that included shopping, hard tasks for people
like us.  (never a problem in the old days)
~And finally
~ my son graduated High School
and we had a gathering here to celebrate
his accomplishments!  PHEW!  What FUN!

Trust me, there are more things that I
had on my plate, but you get the picture.
Problem was, my friends, I was back in bed
again...sick.  Having a hard time walking (still am),
and just no energy.  How on earth could I
make it to my children's graduations?
Truly, I was petrified to miss them.  I have
friends with RA that have missed big events
like these - hubby's 50th, children's weddings,  etc...
we can't control our bodies.

What was I going to do?  I called all 4 docs -
Rheumy, Podiatrist, Neuro, and PCP...
All agree with my idea of getting on steroids
again.  4th time this year.  
We believe it HAS to be part of my
regimen or I will be up and down ALL.THE.TIME.

I did make it to all.of.the.events!   PHEW!

It was exhausting, painful like never before,
but so worth it!
I used to worry about the side effects of
steroids, esp. the weight!  My partner said
he loves me just the way I am inside.  He is
battling with me.  When you can't
even get out of bed now...you will take quality
over quantity...as my mom used to say.
I had a decent quality of life this month ~
and it was filled with JOY!
and FEAR!

Those with RA know why...I constantly feared
would I be able to make the graduations?
Would I be able to fufill my speaking engagement?
blah, blah, blah.

So, I have decided to add a little something to my
business cards ~ "The Sneaker Speaker!" HA!
Hey, we have to laugh...our lives are tough, so tough.

I am hoping that this blog brings you a little understanding,
a little hug, a little smile, and most of all ~ knowing that
someone else in this big world is walking in your shoes...
I mean sneakers ~ representing us the best I can.

Healing hugs,
Alicia

The difference between Illness and Wellness©

"The Difference between Illness and Wellness is WE!" ~ from a meditation I heard from Tara Brach...

Hello my friends!
I hope this blog finds you feeling well.

I love, love, love this quote!
If you haven't noticed, many of my blogs
discuss the isolating issues that Chronic Illness brings.

After writing 60 or more blogs ~
I hear this quote....
The difference between getting well
and being ill is WE.

WE.
Friendship.  Family.  Laughs.
Company.  Dinners.   Giggles.
Games.   Support.  Talking on the phone.
Texts.   Emails.  Walks.  Deep belly laughs.
WE.

In the last few weeks, a few friends
have reached out to me to really get
me out...or to come over ~ or to chat.
WE.

Did it make a difference?
YUP.  Why?   Hey, do you love to laugh?
Remember fun times?  Make great new memories?

Think about it today.
Are you more about you?
Or are you a WE person?

Pick up the phone ~ Call a friend,
email someone that you know you miss
and will make you smile.
Make a lunch date with an old pal.

Change the world...yours and someone else's!
WE CAN!  WE WILL!  

Listen, we all know EVERYONE is busy...but ~
we all need to pay it forward...make the time.
You, me, WE are worth it, aren't WE?
Then ~ share your great stories with us!

Healing hugs,
Alicia

Life Happened...now what? Choices: 10. Embrace every single day ~ or ~ wish you had someone else's life.©

"Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own." ~ Harold Coffin

My friends, what a joy it is
to write for you ~ for me ~
for all of our families.
I write for understanding ~ clarity
empathy ~ smiles ~ laughs ~
but mostly I share tools I use for
our "Toolbox for Life"© and because
writing and coaching are my passions.

"Life happens" to all of us ~
News that brings unexpected changes.
Whether it be, finding out we have Rheumatoid Arthritis
or we lose our careers, perhaps a relationship ends~
we sadly watch a loved one pass away.
If we are living ~ "Life Happens".

Now, my friends, we have all been guilty
of wishing and hoping for other's great luck ~
good health ~ nice jobs ~ grateful children ~ nice homes ~
great marriages, great health...
wait I said that before...good health...
OK, you get my point.

Where does that leave us?
What good does that do for our soul...
our health and wellness...and for those moments ~
moments of envy ~ they are wasted time, aren't they?
Yes.

We can't get that time back...but we need that time.
Time is our gift.   It is priceless and precious ~
Even if we are in pain and struggling, sometimes it seems like
other people aren't and we just wish for something else.
Nope.   It won't help you to wish your life away.

Action will help you.   Positive action.   Every.single.day.
How are you going switch your thinking next time
you wish you had someone else's life?
Do something YOU LOVE!  That is the cure.
Surround yourself with people and things you love.

I am listening to Three Dog Night - Joy To The World...
Now I have readers from all over the world...but everyone
should look up that song and play it.
"Jeremiah was a Bullfrog...was a good friend of mine..."
Oh Yeah.   Don't you always have a nice memory or story
to go with songs?

I am going to give a little list of simple joys to finish up our Top 10 Choices!
Feel free to comment and add some of yours!   Who needs someone else's life?!
Ours is full, joyful, complex, and yet brilliantly simple, full of potential, love and
support!   Thank you for following my blog!

Ways to Embrace Every Single Day With RA ( or for anyone!)
Listen to your favorite music
go for a walk on a new trail
listen to the birds singing to each other
go to the Audubon and see the animals
call a friend
make a nice cup of tea
always have a book, a beach chair, sunscreen and be ready to go and sit anywhere your body takes you!
On that note - a nice road trip
pack a picnic with your partner, or a friend, or your child
start a hobby
sent a note or two to people you love to let them know you care
plant flowers
make a great desert
re-decorate on a small scale ~ at your speed
start a journal
buy a new CD that a friend recommended
get into a book club!  It gets you out too!
give and get 12 hugs a day!
smile wherever you go!  It is contagious!
do a random act of kindness everyday!
eat ice cream!
Always, always be kind...especially to yourself.   You are worth it!

Now, my friends ~ this finishes up the Top 10 Choices!   I hope you have enjoyed this journey with me!

Healing hugs,

Alicia