Magic Wand

When I was a little girl, I believed I could magically modify things that were not working out for me. As I grew older, I learned that this type of magic does not exist, and that real-life magic comes from 90% sweat and 10% luck.

Real Life

I stumbled so many times in the past few weeks with the lupus flares that I am still trying to figure out what is happening with my body. Why has it been so tough to get back on my feet? I am working hard and focusing all my attention to overcome this phase. Nevertheless, I am not quite getting where I would like to be.

For a couple of days, I feel strong and then exhausted. It’s a cycle. Pain and stiffness are back, the restless sensation of not finding a good position is all over my body, and I want to fast-forward time. I wish I could use some pixie dust, open a window, and feel painless again.

My path has been bumpy. Scenery and people around me have changed, and I am still trying to climb to the top of the hill, above the clouds to get a better view of life.

Recharging the Batteries

This week, I started to think of new ideas to raise up my positiveness, bring back my upbeat spirit, and fill my moments with joy, contentment, and hope. While thinking out loud about what cheers me up, I decided to make a feel-good checklist, that I would like to share with you:

1. Be more often in contact with Nature.

I try to spend 5-10 minutes doing my yoga stretches and taking long, deep breaths outside. I remind myself of the beauty and grandeur of the Northwest – the lush trees, mountains, and the beautiful sky. I am so small in comparison to all the beauty around me, and being mindful of it, helps me put my challenges in a better perspective.

2. Don’t be self-defeating.

A negative thought that keeps coming back, a bad habit of focusing on flaws and gaps, instead of my strengths and blessings. Maybe it’s time to put more fun in my day, including things I like to do more often and rely on things that give pleasure and nurture my soul.

3. Friendships.

People are busy, and many times life consumes me to the point that I miss the opportunity of shared moments. This week, I took the extra step to connect with some of my pals here and abroad; to lend an ear, and share a laugh. When I hang out with people I love, and we talk about good memories, share silly jokes and funny stories, a new world opens around me.

Seeds of Love

I am looking for new ways to show more optimism, faith, and joy into my days … cultivate my soul with the perfume of flowers and the colors of spring. I am my own gardener, and it’s my responsibility to build my own happy place, no matter where I am. Still, maybe it’s time to call for extra help to remind myself how special I am, and how much I have accomplished?

I am learning my own limits, one day at a time. Understanding how many activities I can handle in a day, without pushing my body beyond what it can handle and losing my balance. Being more self-aware of my health, my need for sleep, making time for things that cheer me up and prophylactically take care of myself.

Patience is not one of my core strengths, but it is a key virtue when living with lupus. Living self-compassion is accepting my fragility and embracing my bumpy road. My willingness to cut corners will not change the pace of things and move into the direction I need. It’s about the journey, not the end.

Our choices today work like a magic wand to build a new tomorrow. It’s on each of us to make it better.

Yours truly,

Hope

“Life is like an ice-cream cone, you have to lick it one day at a time.”
Charles M. Schulz