Wait For It, But Go Get It...

Do you know what you want in this life? Have you taken the time to answer this age old question or have you just asked yourself a million times only to give up because you get impatient? Patience is a virtue that some of us still have yet to learn. Sometimes it feels like "I don't have time to wait," or "I'm fine the way things are, I don't need anything else." Knowing what we want is an inside job. What happens when we don't take the time to figure it out?

I find that throughout my life I have displayed a history of impatience. If it wasn't the fact that I gave up on an art project because it was taking too long to finish, or the short cut I decided to take off the bike path even if I risked the chance of getting a flat tire. I've DONE THEM ALL!!! I think back now and even as a kid I learned to manipulate what I was tired of waiting for. I found that this worked out perfectly as long as I rendered the same result I desired. This is a terrible habit and I don't recommend it because you know what I DISCOVERED?? That not everything in life is able to be manipulated. HUMMMPPHHH! Childbirth....un-manipulable! Too much weight to lose by Sunday....really unable to manipulate. Wrong relationship? Job that is unsuitable? ? Wanting that apple to be an orange? All bring negative results when trying to manipulate the outcome. The insanity always bring the same...a very unsatisfied and tired ME! I usually sit alone afterwards at some point and reflect. When I am finally able to see clear enough I usually come back to the same discovery.  I wanted this....I got impatient....I settled. Then I get to suffer. It's like teaching your kid to hit a baseball. They can't always predict the exact speed or curve it will have so you learn the basics and CRACK! Once you make contact....you know. It feels good, it looks good, and everyone cheers!!! Well, something like that anyway. It's a hard lesson to learn but giving up, settling, or simply not doing anything to get what we want is just INSANE!

Bottom line is, we can't afford to settle. Nothing in this life is fulfilling if it's just O.K. Think about what you want, know that you deserve every bit of it and GO FOR IT!

Avoid the Avoidable Irritants...

  
  It seems are bodies are like cars. You have to keep up on your fluids, fuel, and do the necessary maintenance in order to get the most miles out of it. Every time you take your car out of the garage, you expose it to factors you have no control over. Weather, other cars, and road conditions are all outside factors that can affect the outcome of your trip.

     One of the first things I think of when I get "crabby" is, Where did this come from? One of the biggest offenders for me is HUNGER! Plain and simple. If I'm thirsty, hungry, or tired, my mood is directly the first thing affected. I suppose that is why I was so attracted to this poster. While I cannot control who crosses my path and what they choose to present to me or determine the weather, I do have factors I can control. If I keep my nutrition levels up and exercise what I can then my body feels better and I operate better physically and mentally. I have to focus on what I can do and not what I can't.

    Is there ONE thing you can change today to make it better and easier? Focus on what you can control in your life and not what you can't today. One minor adjustment at a time can make a big difference once you recognize it and follow through. Be your own driver today....and feel the BENEFITS!

    

A Change In What Comforts You...

Recent visits with the doctors have brought about another change in my lifestyle. I know it's for the better, but I am independent and slightly resistant to change. Since I was diagnosed with a connective tissue disease that features abnormal immune system activity with inflammation in my tissue (LUPUS), I have been told I am a lung transplant is not an option. When surgeons consider doing transplant operations, they look at the odds. Those of us with connective tissue disease generally have a very low success rate as our tissue will not connect and accept the new organ. Being faced with that, you look at what CAN be done.

Well, I still have 48% total capacity left that is still good. What can I do to improve that or keep it from deteriorating? I get to try pulmonary therapy. This is generally for patients with Emphysema in which they breathe "differently" than I do but we are going to see if they can adjust it to fit my need.

Next....is diet. Relieving the body of excess weight and certain ingredients will allow daily tasks to become easier and build muscle instead of putting all the burden on the lungs. Basically, I have to go low carbohydrate and gluten free! I didn't realize it but since this "ruling" I have been taking in all the carbs and gluten I can find!!! All of these foods involved have been my comfort. I couldn't help but throw my own little internal FIT because I feel I have been stripped of everything that soothes me over the past year! Figuratively speaking, I had to take the time to bang my spoon on the high chair and cry it out. Now that that was over, I had to start looking at the positive. I was going to live, my health is going to improve, this will enable me to feel better overall. This new lifestyle is going to be my NEW comfort. Is this the kind of thing it takes before we get up and do something GOOD for ourselves? The thought is a little alarming...but its true. I would have never given these things up on my own.

Think about what it will take for you today? Is there a small change you can make today that will make a difference in your health? Is it worth it to exercise a couple of times a week now to lessen the chances of a heart attack later? I used to think I was an exception to a lot of life's rules. I found out.....I'm just HUMAN. Make a change for you today....YOUR WORTH IT!