Be A Source of Encouragement

I remember years ago that it only takes one person to make one feel important or as important as the next person. 

In my experience, it was my twin sister.  My mother would always, always treat us as equals.  Most twins, as with any sibling, have different personalities.  But, somehow with twins, one might think that they are alike in more ways than they really are.  In my case, my twin sister was the extrovert and I was the introvert.  So, since we would do most things at a certain age, this would sometimes create a conflict.  One particular time sticks out to me.  It was when we were at the age to begin driving a car.  Mother would let us take turns driving around in our driveway.  Mother's plan was to take equal turns.  However, my twin sister would want to take more turns in a roll and I would tell her that was ok, to go ahead.  But, our Mother would speak up and say that it was only fair to share equally. 

I share this little story with you to express how important I think it is for everyone of us to Be a Source of Encouragement.  My sister was just expressing who she was and so was I.  However, when it happens even in times of innocence, it is still vital to be there for another to speak up with words of encouragement. 

My Mother was being a Source of Encouragement.  You know, as parents, we do this all of the time or so we think/hope that we do.  But I feel it is very important to be a Source of Encouragement to another in all walks of life. 

I have never taken my Mother's Source of Encouragement lightly.  It has helped mold me into the person that I am today.  She was a great Source of Encouragement in our families' lives and many others.  I thank God for allowing me to have a mother as she was to me.

I will conclude my post today with words of wisdom from the following. 

Flowers give Encouragement

Always stay connected to people and seek out things that bring you joy. Barbara Johnson

A single word, if spoken in a friendly spirit, may be sufficient to turn one from dangerous error.  Fanny Crosby

The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, or the kindly smile, or the joy of companionship.  It is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.  Corrie ten Boom

It is when we come to a 'higher power' of belief in our nothingness, our powerlessness and our helplessness that He than enables us to live in a way which, without Him, would be absolutely impossible.  Elisabeth Elliot

Today is mine.  Tomorrow is none of my business.  If I peer anxiously into the fog of the future, I will strain my eyes so that I will not see clearly what is required of me now.  Elisabeth Elliott

Cheerfulness is its own reward---but not its only reward.  Criswell Freeman

Be so preoccupied with 'good-will' that you haven't room for 'ill will'.  E. Stanley Jones

The attitude of kindness is everyday stuff like a great pair of sneakers.  Not frilly. Not fancy.  Just plain and comfortable.  Barbara Johnson

All kindness and good deeds, are better kept silent.  The result will be an inner reservoir of personality power.  Catherine Marshall

Yesterday is just experience but tomorrow is glistening with purpose---and today is the channel leading from one to the other.  Barbara Johnson


Little things in life give Encouragement

Kindness in this world will do much to help others, not only in happiness and joy, but also to grow in grace day by day. Would it not be great, if every day could be a cause for celebration?  By celebrating the gift of life, we can protect our hearts from the dangers of pessimism, regret, hopelessness, and bitterness.
Kind words have echoes that last a lifetime and beyond.
We all have much to be thankful for.

Until next time
God Bless
Doris

'TO ALL RSDS/CRPS PERSONS'

I penned sometime ago that I spoke at a symposium in South Bend, Indiana in the late 90's.

The committee's president of this particular symposium had asked me to speak from my view of living with this disease, RSDS/CRPS. 

First, I do not consider it a disease.  It is a 'dis-ease' and an' inconvenience' in my life.  It comes and goes and when it is in my life in a more vibrant way; I HURT, MY LEGS BURN AND THEY BECOME WEAK.  I become frustrated and it prevents me from doing most anything that I want to do during those times. 
However, I have learned to redirect my thinking and acceptance toward 'this too shall pass'.  Sounds easy but everything that I have learned during those times, my thoughts just automatically kick into gear, so to speak.  Just as if an EMT person comes upon a person that needs his/her help.  They do not dwell upon their skills all day but when the need arises, it just automatically kicks in to what they need to do. 

Now, I can just imagine anybody that is reading this that are hurting and frustrated at this time, might be thinking something along the lines of: 'SURE, THAT IS EASY FOR YOU TO SAY', 'WELL, YOU DON'T HURT LIKE I DO', 'YOU PROBABLY DON'T REALLY HAVE RSDS/CRPS'.  And, if there is anybody thinking along these lines, THAT IS OK!!!  ........ As long as you don't 'chalk up' what I am sharing to, "forget it, nobody and nothing can help ME!"  I will now share more of my story.  Please stay with me.

As I shared with many people there at the Symposium, I took my monkey puppet, George, with me.  You see, in my research on RSDS/CRPS and searching within myself with much prayer, hope and perseverance; I have found ways to learn, cope and, hopefully, help others in their coping.  I found these techniques brought 'purpose and meaning' into perceptive. My puppet, George helped me clarify as to how anybody can easily get RSDS/CRPS with a slight injury.  In this case, George came to the Symposium with an ace bandage on his elbow with RSDS/CRPS from running to third base in a baseball game and hit his elbow.   Plus, George has given many people some laughter.  Laughter is healing and releases endorphins.   

In my next post, I will pen a poem that I wrote for all persons that attended the Symposium.
The poem is titled: 'TO MY FRIENDS IN THIS PLACE' 'RSDS/CRPS SYMPOSIUM'

Please remember as we walk this journey with whatever has become our dis-ease and/or inconveniences, there is purpose and meaning in it.  I have found for me, seeking something bigger than myself in helping others has been a vital key in living life on purpose.  First, and foremost, remember, in the beginning of being diagnosed with RSDS, I could not make it on my own and I had to reach out to others.  Now, I can reach out to others to help them and 'in turn' it helps me.  WE NEED ONE ANOTHER.  RSDS/CRPS has become a part of our lives but IT DOESN'T HAVE TO CONSUME US. 

Acceptance says: True, this is my situation at the moment.  I'll look unblinkingly at the reality of it.  But, I'll also open my hands to accept willingly whatever a loving Father sends me.
Catherine Marshall

As we encounter situations that we cannot change, we must learn the wisdom of acceptance .....and we must learn to trust God and/or in a higher being. 


Until next time,
God Bless
Doris

Hello Friends,

 'MAKING FRIENDS-PRICELESS & GIVE THANKS FOR PROBLEMS-PRICELESS'

Problems are inevitable on our journey.  Every problem can teach us something.
They can transform us little by little into the masterpiece that the Lord created us to be.
Or, by our choices, they can be stumbling blocks by which we fall when we react with distrust, defiance and lack of hope. 

Believing comes from the very depths of who we are.  When we believe, it comes from our heart, not our head.  As we look at our loved ones, do we want to embrace them and do we want to be with them?  Of course, we do. Do we learn from our Friends and grow with/from them?
Of course, we do.   Do we not, think and pray for them that we will grow in His Love and fellowship with our Friends for the good of everyone?  I do!  So, I feel it is fair to say that we become a better person/persons when we bond and stay close to our friends.  Would you not agree?  Why else would we want to be with them, embrace them, and give thanks for them.

Friends are gifts from our heavenly Father, our Lord, our God, a higher power and/or whomever you believe in your heart that provides all things in this world, to those that choose to accept.  This ultimate belief that we know in our hearts that friends nurtures us and allows us to be a better person for ourselves and others is truly a gift.  
MAKING FRIENDS-PRICELESS.

Have we ever thought of Thanking our Heavenly Father for OUR PROBLEMS?  NOT SO MUCH, I am sure.  Well, let me share a little of my story that gave me pause to do just that.
I Thanked God for my Problems! 

You must understand as you are reading my posts that I will repeat myself in various ways from time to time.  And, I give myself permission to do this because this is my story and it is very difficult to have everything in order over a 20 plus years.  So, bear with me.  I am just a simple person, remember me stating this in my profile? This is all relevant.

I shared with you that I had a 'near death experience' in the 1990's.  So much pain, stress and what I had thought and felt was a 'world of hurt' in my life over the past two years of my RSDS/CRPS, I had awaken from a 'near death experience'.  The first thing that went through my mind was: 'where am I and what am I doing here'.  I had been in this wonderful vibrant place of colors, light and a sense of  'awe'.  I looked around and saw a doctor standing over me, oxygen on my face, an IV tubing in my arm and I knew just one thing; I didn't want to be in this place!  After recovering from that episode and some very difficult days that followed, I truly started questioning where God was and why in the world he would bring me back to this! 

Soon afterwards,  with help from others, mostly from an awesome pastor, I searched, prayed, listened and chose to rethink and discern that God must have a reason for allowing me to go through these experiences.  Many reasons, in fact.  One, He had allowed RSD to become a part of my life.  Secondly, He allowed me to go through the 'near death experience' and thirdly, He allowed me to return back from the 'near death experience' for a reason. 

Instead of my becoming angry with God, which I did for quite a while, I chose to focus on the positive and would 'counteract' every negative thought that came into my mind with a positive thought.  I was making better choices each day and as I did this day after day, I begin to BELIEVE in my heart, not my head, that there was a mission for my life right where I was. 

I believed in my heart that 'God allowed in His Wisdom What He Could Have Easily Prevented in His Power.'  This quote is by Graham Cooke and I cannot take credit for it but when I read this, I believed/believe in my heart that this was/is my mission.

If I had never traveled this path without RSDS/CRPS, (a problem), I BELIEVE that I would have never growth into the person that I was Divinely Meant to Be.

I THANKED/THANK GOD FOR PROBLEMS-PRICELESS

I will share very soon on my post: How Problems can transform into Inconveniences.

Until next time,
God Bless!
Doris

Sunday evening

Hi Friends,

I am sharing with anybody that wants to read my posts.  Some of the things that I write is positive and some is just reality that I feel is important to reflect on and learn how to cope and accept in our life and living.

I am sure we all have heard the statement: It doesn't take long to look around us and see somebody worse off than we are.  Have you ever heard this? I have and I have felt this.

I am grateful for what RSD has taught/is teaching me.  I feel that I have learned volumes about life and living and if RSD had not crossed my path, I wouldn't be the person that I am today.
I can honestly say that I enjoy my life and living and from hence I have come.  Pain, sorrow, lessons, setbacks; yes, but I am a more rounded, deeper caring, spiritual person now. 

I read somewhere that if you walked into a place and there was a huge table with crosses all over it and each cross represented your burdens/crosses to bear in life, that you would most likely pick up the one that was your cross/burdens in the first place.  It is good that we have no control of what comes our way.  I feel and believe that there is a 'higher power' greater than ourselves that knows what is best for our journey in life. 

Now, perhaps, what we can do to make those burdens/crosses lighter would be to reflect/focus on what they might mean to have crossed our path and learn from them.  Just maybe, they were put in our path for us to slow down and listen within as to what it is that this 'cross' is trying to teach me.  Sometimes we need to refocus and go down a different path on our journey. 

I remember many years ago now when I was diagnosed with RSDS/CRPS that I was just doing my thing. I didn't think too much about what was going to be happening in the future.  Just living my life and enjoying most of it, with my ten year old daughter.  I was a single parent with a good job and enjoying my work. 

And, than one day, it all changed.  Trauma from a previous surgery started to tailspin and that is when RSDS/CRPS entered my life and living.  The only thing that I really knew that I wanted was to survive as a good mother for my daughter for I was a single parent.  I HAD TO WORK AND I HAD A PURPOSE BESIDES MYSELF.  After crying the 'why me' and started focusing through support.  The 'Why Me' changed to 'Why Not Me'. My family, neighbors, church family and my work family were awesome!

I just want to say that I would never have made it to where I am now if I would have tried to handle RSD on my own.  EVERYBODY NEEDS SUPPORT.  RSDS/CRPS persons need support when all that they feel is  PAIN.  Empathy from another is the first step in healing.  Sympathy got me nowhere.  I wanted somebody to understand me and NOT feel sorry for me. And, if they haven't experienced RSD, they can still be there in love, caring and allowing you to just 'BE in the Moment'.  That heals and comforts pain.

You know, sometimes it is hard to cope and share and even get up in the mornings but if we don't keep trying we cannot help ourselves or anybody else.

So, on those days that we find it so very hard to move, move anyways!  Yes, call somebody and share ANYTHING with somebody.  This is the first thing that I found that helped me the most from going into a depression.  And, even if you don't say a word other than, "Hi, this is ______, I am not having a good day."  And, your friend or whomever you have chosen to call will take care of the rest for awhile.  BUT, WE HAVE TO START TO MOVE AND TRY TO REACH OUT.  The rest will follow.  Believe me, I am not sharing anything that I haven't experienced myself.  I didn't/don't want to just hear stories that sound good.  I always wanted to hear the truth even when it hurt. 

If I could wish anything today that I could say or do to help any person in pain but especially, to RSDS/CRPS persons since having RSDS has inspired me to start my blog; it would be to first and foremost, search for a purpose to live for, look for a passion to fulfill and keep your focus on something that is bigger than you are and/or your pain.  Take up a hobby and/or do something that fills your head/heart and life.  And, secondly, KEEP MOVING! 
I was told if I ever sit and did not move, I would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life.  I truly believe this because if I get the flu or I am off of my feet for days, I hurt and I know and reflect on what I was told.  WE MUST KEEP MOVING.

I worked for several years after my diagnosis of RSD.  The only reason that I could do this was because I had an awesome employer and I worked with some awesome co-workers.  I will never forget their support.  They allowed me to be an equal in the midst of my struggles and treated me the same as before I was diagnosed with RSD.  If any of you are reading this post, thanks, once again.  You all know who you are.  You're the best!
I remember having a button attached to the wall of my cubicle.   The button had a picture of a penguin on it.  The reading on it read: I can't fly but I get around just fine!  And, so DID I! 

Most importantly to remember, we can't go it alone.  It's ok to ask for help and than we all win.

Until next time,
God Bless!
Doris

February 23, 2013

TIME FOR CLARIFICATION

I find a need to clarify my writings regarding RSDS/CRPS.  FIRST, and far most, my wish is for anybody reading my posts to realize that anything on my posts are coming from my view and experiences.  My only intent in taking this leap of faith in sharing, as I am not usually this bold in the public eye, is my hope to help somebody in some way. 

As one reads my posts, they will read many emotions and ups and downs regarding this condition called RSDS/CRPS.  I pen as I think, feel and have experienced at variable times during these 25 years that I have been diagnosed with RSDS/CRPS.

This last post where I penned the poem RSDS/CRPS PERSONS were written from the view of a person that has been going through terrific pain and this is their thoughts and feelings expressed.  The latter part of the poem is written from the view and feelings from a person that has RSDS/CRPS but has allowed it to become a part of their life and have learned skills and is leaning on a higher power than themselves to cope.  They are living a life that they see is worth while and on purpose. 

I will not linger in my clarifications of the posts but just wanted to share this as there might be persons out there reading these and have a misunderstanding of the intent in my heart as to why/what I am writing.  I feel this is worthwhile in penning because I do not want to leave any room for any help to be missed or interruption in the flow of my intent. 

Life is better or worse many times in the way we make our choices and accept what we have no control over.  I feel when we are willing to always and ever think and act beyond ourselves and look for ways to help others in the process of living, the rest will fall into place.  Hopefully, at the end of our journey, we will have come full circle.

Have a thankful day. I know that I am.
God Bless!
Doris

Challenge Mind, Refocus, Changes Attitude

Good Morning, 

Thanks for a Blessed Thanksgiving fills my heart this Holiday Season.  Soon the celebration of Jesus birth.   'Happy Birthday, Jesus' and many 'Thanks', once more.

As I begin in my sharing, I want to express to everybody that is reading this that I am certainly not a scholar in knowledge of some of the topics that I share.  However; the experiences that I pen are from my heart to your heart.  Therefore, this alone frees me up to share more with ease. 

I spoke recently with someone that has contact with an RSDS/CRPS person frequently.  In my next writing, I will point out the stages of RSDS/CRPS. This is very important to understand.  It can change our attitude in our healing process and everyday depression and give hope to us. In light of this, I want to share views of thoughts, feelings, attitudes and the importance of an 'open mind' in any and all research, hearsay, experience in dealing with this condition.  I have found that once we are open and our hope is renewed in a way to cope and feel and believe in our heart that we can refocus, our life has purpose and we focus on the things that moves us forward. 

I have learned that the mind is a powerful thing.  Therefore, the brain can trick our minds in thinking and believing what we are feeling is real without any room to reevaluate our circumstances. I remember in my treatment after many pain blocks and over 30 different medications that the doctor wanted to perform a test to analyze my pain level in comparison to the brain impulses.  He injected a medication in a IV drip to numb most of my surface body from the wrist up.  He would inject needles into my flesh after the numbing solution supposedly took effect and study my reflex response. 

My first reaction was that he thought this was all in my head.  I was insulted and resentful. How dare him to do this or even think that I was making this pain up. After a long process of my choosing to have an open mind and trust in the doctor, did I settle down to listen and take in his knowledge as to how this medical procedure works. 

The result of this particular visit was one of many visits that helped my treatment to progress.  No, the pain wasn't in my mind, yes, I still do have RSDS, medications and pain blocks did follow, but I had a different thinking process starting to unfold. 

We all know that what we 'feed' something is what it will become.  An illustration of an Indian family goes something like this.  One child was good and another child was evil...the third Indian child ask his father which one he would be.  The father stated:  Son, it will depend on what you 'feed' your mind with the most. 

I shared with the doctor as to how I was coping and introduced to him how I had been receiving counseling through my pastor.  My doctor was impressed as I shared with him some of the Attitudinal Healing studies that I had experienced in our church setting.  My doctor, in turn, asked to speak to my pastor and as a result: A study was created in sharing, teaching and helping similar persons to copy through the mind set of: Body, Mind (patient/person), and Spirit.  To illustrate; my doctor/physician represents the study of the body, Mind was me as the patient/person experiencing the condition, and my pastor, representing the Spiritual side.  This was tremendous.

I share with all who read my experiences in living with RSDS/CRPS that these techniques can be used in any life situation.  We all experience hurts, losses, conditions that effect our living everyday.  Our thinking, our emotions, our pain, our grief are all a part of our makeup.  However; we are all similar in 'the very middle' of our bodies.  We might have different colored skin, live in different houses, have different wealth but we all are still alike 'in the very middle'.  God made us this way and He also, can give us joy, peace, love and hope in the midst of whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.  We will all find ourselves a little more whole and human and happy when we share and work together. Perhaps, each of us at some point, can say but more importantly feel like saying: Let it start with me.  Remember to hang on to the 'Golden Rope of Hope'.

In closing, when we challenge our minds, refocus our thinking; it does Change Our Attitude.
Until next time, May God Richly Bless and Keep You In His Care.