Facets of Smiles and Tears

Don't cry because it's over.

Smile because it happened.

~ disputably attributed to Dr Seuss 

Which is why it's perfect for this post.

Calm in "The Diagnosis Vortex of Doom"

        Last week, I shared a link to an article by Michelle Auerbach which resonated with a lot of people who are struggling with illnesses which either cannot be, or simply haven't yet been diagnosed, and an adequate treatment program begun.  The fact that so many agreed it was an issue of importance, both in public and in private, has had me thinking about my own situation, and so, here we go again!  Something a little unusual, but hopefully of value to someone, as well as doing right by Ms Auerbach and her article.

The Non-Post Post

        This is a non-post post.

        Because sometimes it's just appropriate to have a non-post post, and this seems like one of those times.

The Genuine Troubles of Heartaches and Battle Scars

        The premise of the PB Project has been, from the very beginning, that we all have our own challenges, and yet we all have commonalities in our experience.  Love, joy, fear, heartache, pain; all the emotions, thoughts, vulnerabilities and quirks that make us human, may be somewhat different in details, but make us all similar in one way or another.  Even when we are strangers to one another, we have bits and pieces that can connect us and help us feel a part of something bigger.  Our hearts yearn for this, as humans are communal creatures for a reason.  It is in our DNA to crave the safety and security that can come from being connected to other people.

Ignorance Isn't the Bliss You'd Like It to Be

        I'm not usually one to directly share links to other entities, here on this blog, partly because I am very aware that there are a LOT of "awareness" days, weeks, months, etc.; but this one is different. This one is important to me, in a very personal and unique way.

What I Want to Be, Every Day, for the Rest of My Life

        Sometimes it's nice to have no sense of clearly-defined structure for this blog.  Because honestly, who wants to be tied down to superficial rules based on false pretenses about goals and processes, anyway?  I mean, that sentence alone is almost painfully heavy!  By the end of this month, I'll have finished the personal challenge I made for myself, having only missed one week, that I can remember, and that one was with special circumstances. Otherwise, I've been true to my goal and... wow!  How on earth did I do that? lol!

        Okay...I started this post before I realized what this week's section of Christine's book actually is.  I looked at the section, re-read what I just said to start, and smirked.  And why not? Hah!

Hey! Come On Down! The Ground Seems Very... Grounded.

        The topic for Week 31 is a bit of a solid one, as some things go, but I think we can handle that, here.  Last week we discussed misusing our imagination by using it to feed fear, and this week we are hoping to use imagination to overcome pessimism, which I never really thought of, in that way.

Up, Down, All Around...Get Me to the Ground!

"I went on a roller coaster once.  You know, it was just so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited, and so thrilled all together!  Some didn't like it.  They went on the merry-go-round.  That just goes around.  Nothing.  I like the roller coaster.  You get more out of it."

~ Grandma in the film, Parenthood

It's Just a Matter of Life and Death...Chill Out.

I'm not one to deny reality; it's part of the foundation of this Project.

                                   ...So here's some, for you.  It isn't pretty, but it is real.

A Matter of Moments, Milestones, and Mental Meanderings

        Here we are, at Week 18 of my Motivational Mondays, personal challenge, and I must say that this past week, as I compose this, I'm doing a whole heckuvalot better than I was last week!  Actually, better than I have been for...a while. 

        This week's question is perfectly timed, actually...so let's get into the fun, hmm?

Play It Again, But This Time Shake It Up a Little!

        So, it's Monday (when I likely will post this anyway), and so, as is my tradition, I'm here working on my personal challenge of taking on Christine Morgan's "Motivational Mondays" topics for this week, Week 16.

"The Power of Thought"

        Woohoo!  Attempt number two at the "Motivational Mondays" challenge brought to me in an ebook by the same name, written by Christine Morgan, which I mentioned last post.  And of course you read that post... but I'll wait, if you need to jump back and read it, quickly.  

The War of The Worlds... The Inside and Out

Dear Body,

        I don't know what the problem is, what started it nor why you are so bent on being at war.  Quite honestly, I don't really care.  Get over yourself!  Literally!  This autoimmune stuff affects more than just you, so knock it off.

                                                            Sincerely yours,

                                                                                Myself

An Honorary Doctorate...Or Two

        I had no idea that when I grew up and began the journey for myself, that things would go the way they have, so far.  Not that anyone ever does, really.

Phenomenal Umbrella Research!

        Yesterday at the pool clinic, there was some interesting discussion on Fibromyalgia that proves that no matter how quickly modern medicine find answers, there will always be a problem getting the answers out properly to everyone, no matter the topic.