Coming to some acceptance...
It used to be that I figured I could just get rid of pain by using Motrin, going to my chiropractor for alignment and acupuncturist for muscle problems, and unclogging my energy circulation (chi). Those are no longer the "simple answers," like popping a pill or turning a switch on & off, or writing a check I can no longer really afford. I am beginning to think I must live with some degree of "chronic pain" now. It'll only increase along with other health problems to plague me as I get older.
And I think, Is this what I have to look forward to?! UGH! And my spirit says Nooooooo! Shaking my head in consternation.
And just posting about The Gift of Fear, I wonder on the days when I am limping and my upper body is slightly bent forward from the waist to ease the pain, am I now entering that stage where I will be considered more of a target when I'm out & about? As always, the Universe and the Goddess sends me resources to help. I think what I will learn from this book about being alert and aware and recognizing warning signs, will be very helpful in the future. When my "physical confidence" is much less than it is right now.
My chiropractor and I looked sadly at each other yesterday, realizing I have come to that point in my life, where her care will not alleviate my pain any longer. She eased it, yes, and made sure there weren't contributing issues like being out of alignment, but we both knew it wasn't just a matter of fixing misalignment and relaxing a few muscles any more. In fact my own therapy of snatches of t'ai chi movements throughout the day, when the pain becomes worse, helps more than chugging another 800 mg. of Motrin every 8 hours. Since I began my t'ai chi "therapy" I am sleeping more soundly at night, without out pain waking me every hour. Now I only awake when my bladder wakes me, LOL! Then I feel the pain as I get out of bed. But before returning to bed, I stand in the darkened room and do some t'ai chi moves. Then I can get back into bed and return to sleep. Perhaps this pain is an instigator to go within, to find my inner resources and to live from that focus? Since t'ai chi is not only a physical practice, but a deep spiritual meditative one as well, perhaps what is happening is exactly what needs to happen ... for me to learn lessons I have been ignoring... And to know that I am more than the sum of my aging parts, LOL! :D To not let what ails me physically suck out the juice of the rest of my life, for living and enjoying and appreciating.
A hummingbird visited the other day, hovering around branches of the silk tree out back, which still has green leaves, but is beginning to change from green to brown, and then to shed the old year's leaves, and prepare for winter. No blossoms with nectar left, to feed this little magical hoverer. Thinking perhaps this little guy had come with a message, as Mr. Opossum had, I decided to look up his possible messages. A short summary is that hummingbird can teach me (remind me) that I can accomplish what seems impossible now, and to remember and experience the joy that is already here in my life, if I take the time to look, open my eyes and appreciate it. It is there, even in small, fleeting moments, waiting to enrich my spirit. Hummingbirds also need lots of rest, as they use up a lot of energy in their search for food and their flying and hovering. Perhaps it is no accident he came to see me, as I am beginning to sleep better, to remind me that rest and good deep sleep, is important for a balanced life. I am giving myself permission to take a short nap during the day, if my body tells me to.
So perhaps my little visitor the hummingbird is telling me there is still much joy to be lived if I don't dwell on the shadowy bits too much. Perhaps he came before my thoughts about pain crystallized yesterday, to soften the blow of the realizations and to comfort and remind me there is much reason yet to enjoy my life. To not get totally absorbed in my physical ailments and forget to live. :D
Bless you, little visitor!
And I think, Is this what I have to look forward to?! UGH! And my spirit says Nooooooo! Shaking my head in consternation.
And just posting about The Gift of Fear, I wonder on the days when I am limping and my upper body is slightly bent forward from the waist to ease the pain, am I now entering that stage where I will be considered more of a target when I'm out & about? As always, the Universe and the Goddess sends me resources to help. I think what I will learn from this book about being alert and aware and recognizing warning signs, will be very helpful in the future. When my "physical confidence" is much less than it is right now.
My chiropractor and I looked sadly at each other yesterday, realizing I have come to that point in my life, where her care will not alleviate my pain any longer. She eased it, yes, and made sure there weren't contributing issues like being out of alignment, but we both knew it wasn't just a matter of fixing misalignment and relaxing a few muscles any more. In fact my own therapy of snatches of t'ai chi movements throughout the day, when the pain becomes worse, helps more than chugging another 800 mg. of Motrin every 8 hours. Since I began my t'ai chi "therapy" I am sleeping more soundly at night, without out pain waking me every hour. Now I only awake when my bladder wakes me, LOL! Then I feel the pain as I get out of bed. But before returning to bed, I stand in the darkened room and do some t'ai chi moves. Then I can get back into bed and return to sleep. Perhaps this pain is an instigator to go within, to find my inner resources and to live from that focus? Since t'ai chi is not only a physical practice, but a deep spiritual meditative one as well, perhaps what is happening is exactly what needs to happen ... for me to learn lessons I have been ignoring... And to know that I am more than the sum of my aging parts, LOL! :D To not let what ails me physically suck out the juice of the rest of my life, for living and enjoying and appreciating.
A hummingbird visited the other day, hovering around branches of the silk tree out back, which still has green leaves, but is beginning to change from green to brown, and then to shed the old year's leaves, and prepare for winter. No blossoms with nectar left, to feed this little magical hoverer. Thinking perhaps this little guy had come with a message, as Mr. Opossum had, I decided to look up his possible messages. A short summary is that hummingbird can teach me (remind me) that I can accomplish what seems impossible now, and to remember and experience the joy that is already here in my life, if I take the time to look, open my eyes and appreciate it. It is there, even in small, fleeting moments, waiting to enrich my spirit. Hummingbirds also need lots of rest, as they use up a lot of energy in their search for food and their flying and hovering. Perhaps it is no accident he came to see me, as I am beginning to sleep better, to remind me that rest and good deep sleep, is important for a balanced life. I am giving myself permission to take a short nap during the day, if my body tells me to.
So perhaps my little visitor the hummingbird is telling me there is still much joy to be lived if I don't dwell on the shadowy bits too much. Perhaps he came before my thoughts about pain crystallized yesterday, to soften the blow of the realizations and to comfort and remind me there is much reason yet to enjoy my life. To not get totally absorbed in my physical ailments and forget to live. :D
Bless you, little visitor!