by Shelley Taylor, Guest Blogger
I’m sitting on the balcony, enjoying the cool air and the sounds of the neighborhood. The loudest thing I hear is the drummmm of the ancient AC unit a neighbour is using.
Usually the drone of it can be ignored, but there are times it seems to drown out even the grasshoppers. Like tonight–its rhythm is steady and somewhat pleasant, if you can disregard the B flat the squeak makes. Barely can the grasshoppers even be heard!
Life is full. And bountiful. And even joyful at times. But you have to be in a good, somewhat healthy space to see or recognize those blessings. Most often, the difficulties of life and current circumstances can blind you to being able to see ANY kind of light, much less joy.
But…it CAN happen. It HAS, to me, and is still happening daily. It’s taken really hard work; years of it, and much hardship. And much, much prayer. Many times, I truly didn’t know what my next step would be. But I’ve made those steps, many little ones, to get me here, now.
And, I’m getting ‘there’ – living my best authentic life, in spite of my limits and boundaries. I’ve got a mighty toolbox built up of tips and tricks of the chronic illness trade, and a big personal support system to remind me to use them.
I’ve built myself a mighty space where I feel supported and able to live my best, authentic self. I really don’t need for anything. Other than my fresh veg and the occasional bag of Costco Crack (Chicago Mix!).
How blessed is that? Who else can claim that? What value or price can you put onto that? Amex would say Priceless. I do too!
And guess what? Now I can only hear the grasshoppers…no more AC machine.
I chose joy.
It can be done.
Prayers for those who can’t see the light…yet. Its there.
Shelley is a 70 yr old Napanee Ontario resident who is enjoying becoming a Crone and Wise Owl to her friends. She loves art, music, crocheting and is working hard doing the healing work necessary to live her best life. Diagnosed with Fibro after breast cancer surgery and treatment (during Covid), Shelley has found friendship, support and valuable survival tips, while being a member of FSN. Dabbling in personal journals and on Facebook, Shelley is trying to create a routine for writing, and hopes it soon becomes a comfortable habit. Shes grateful for the encouragement from Irene and other members to continue writing.
The photos are from my recent holiday at Dawdle Haven North. Hooking and happy on the veranda, and enjoying a glass of champers with the memorial candle burning in memory of a lost loved one. The background is the glorious terraced grounds leading to the lake.
Hi Rose,
Thank you for visiting our Fibromates blog and leaving a comment about Shelley’s blog!
Shelley provides us all a great reminder to try and enjoy life, one breath and one moment at a time because it in those moments that we can be rewarded a good quality of life. We all need to find ways (even if they are tiny ways) of enjoying our lives, especially on those hardest days when we couldn’t sleep or our pain and fatigue are off the charts. And Shelley captures that beautifully in her blog!
Thank you for visiting our blog Rose! I hope you’ll visit again soon.
Shelley, your blog is just the best! Thank you my friend!
Irene
Hi Magi!
Thank you for visiting our Fibromates Blog! I’m especially glad you enjoyed reasding Shelley’s blog! She is a great writer and a job to have as a guest blogger.
Shelley reminds and encourages me that enjoying all the small things in a day can make a great quality of life!
Thank you for writing such an inspiring blog Shelley!
Irene
Thank you Shelley, we can hardly have too many reminders to notice joy, to pursue joy. Pain and discomfort scream for attention all day long, and sometimes while everyone else is sleeping, so joy is even more important for our mental health that is also at risk of decline with fibro. Writing a list of about 20 things I found nice, pleasant, enjoyable or that brought a spark of joy was a big part of how I clawed my way out of a nasty depression. I learned that my biggest joys are often in the things that happen in a blink of an eye, like the cat’s antics or a leaf falling.
Thanks for the email messages. they help me get through the day, which at times are not great. Chronic and constant pain make life difficult and I am trying to find the right path to calmness but it is difficult. thanks so much.