Marching forward
I have to admit, I have been quite disappointed in myself lately. I'm trying to make today better, but being kind to yourself isn't as easy as it sounds. Especially when dealing with mental health and chronic pain in stressful conditions.
I have great goals of standing on my soapbox and raising my voice for awareness and answers for CRPS. I want to be the change that I need to see in the world. I want to make a difference for others.
I want to be happy, healthy and successful (so mote it be). I say it to the Universe everyday like it is real.
I want to feel my smile go from my nose to my toes. An inner smile, pleased with myself and my surroundings. I want to feel the positivity.
Health is something that kind of disconnected me from my spirituality. It's also something I am trying to fix. But I want to be healthy, mentally and physically. Although my list of chronic conditions continued to grow over the years, I continue to find the lessons in each one. Even CRPS. (Side note- CRPS changed everything for me. It makes everything a struggle and most things seem impossible. But it also reminded me of my inner strength and intense desire to help others.)
Success has been one of those impossible things to accomplish. I give myself credit for the things I manage to accomplish, but I am not a successful person. Even today, I had to leave my 2.5 hour work shift early because my shirt and hair invisible cuts, my arm and everything attached, changes in the weather on top of stresses that I can't even touch on these blogs.
Life is messy. My pain and brain seems to be getting in my own way. My pain is enough to drive me crazy sometimes. More often than not lately.
But I was reminded that I am not alone. Although CRPS is rare, there are other people with it and they are AMAZING people. Most struggle with the same hiccups that I seem to be struggling with.
Most of us have a common quality of confusion and being overwhelmed. We know what we need to do, we have a srcribbled post it note somewhere that says it, CRPS just doesn't allow us to do it in what our normal bodies would consider good timing.. we then feel bad for it and feel less accomplished.
We mean well and want to correspond with each other often, and to communicate with others properly, on top of doing everything else on those post it notes plus what we have to do daily. We all seem to be limited with 'focus time' where we can focus on these goals we want to accomplish and actually see them flourish, instead of focusing on how to "jimmy rig" a situation to make it work for us. Or just straight up being miserable in pain, can't be touched, can't hear loud noises or see bright flashing lights, no vibrations.
We can't beat ourselves up over it. We are human beings dealing with extreme circumstances daily according to our brains.
WE ARE WARRIORS.
I am trying to focus on the positives and the things that I can accomplish while living in this physically limited body. This is what we are all trying to do and this alone is an incredible accomplishment.
We must be kinder to ourselves. A good friend and fellow warrior reminded me of this. The fact that we are trying is what makes us superheroes. It's what makes us warriors <3
So for all of my fellow warriors that I have met along the way, I love each of you in a very special way. For you I fight for better days and to finally Conquer CRPS. Because there will be a cure someday.
Support group starts in May, we will be meeting in Nova Scotia. But you can join the monthly conversation online if you are not in the area. Email [email protected] to register :) or find us on Facebook : Conquer CRPS NS <3
The second annual Walk to Conquer CRPS is happening in September and I cannot wait to see what funds we can raise towards the medical research happening in Montreal. One step at a time, we will kick CRPS in the butt.
Also, I will be collaborating with a few warriors on an e-book and inspirational calendars. Portion of proceeds are also going to the medical research happening in Montreal. This is a new concept that I am incredibly eager to expand on!
Make each day a great day with positive thinking, you can do it :)
Positive thoughts,
-Kristen Sparkle
Hey there, @thehippierays! My husband struggles with everyday pain and I have seen how this could just take your whole life away. It takes so much stamina and strong will to do the simplest thing. I think one of the things which really helped him get back on his feet was the acceptance that his body was not acting the same as it used to. That there would be good days and bad days. That sometimes feeling good and being able to enjoy life is the biggest success one could accomplish.
Best is yet to come!
PS: I found your post thanks to @ajorundon who featured you in her Pay It Forward Contest Entry.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out. Chronic pain can take a toll on a person on so many levels, your husband is lucky to have you by his side. I definitely have a hard time understanding and accepting my new physical limits, but one day at a time I am becoming ok with it. Everyday is a new challenge. I find the greatest gift I have found so far would be neuroplasticity. Practiced at home in everyday life and self taught from YouTube. It teaches you to rewire your brain. It's not a cure all, but it helps get through the difficult minutes. Positive thoughts for your husband to have lower pain levels this week and for you both to have much to smile about. I am going to start following you :)
Thanks for sharing your experience, @thehippierays. I will recommend him to look at some Youtube videos on neuroplasticity. Although he is struggling with Hiatal Hernia which requires some other specific set of exercises. For some time now he's been trying to meditate every morning and practice mindfulness. I would say that I can clearly notice a change in his attitude and behavior. Maybe it has something to do with these two mentioned above :)
He is lucky to work from his computer at home, so in bad days he can just call the day off. So I really feel for your struggle with working hours.
I also followed you earlier to accompany you on your journey to healing :) See you soon!
Mindfulness is an amazing step in the right direction! Good for him! Mindful Based Stress Reduction was my introduction to neuroplasticity, I think he might already be there but definitely remind him. Everyday is a challenge, but with excellent support like you and the positive direction in self help he is taking, he is very lucky. You are very strong as well, I try to imagine the situation from all perspectives and believe you deserve kudos too :) positive thoughts for a great day for you both! :)
Thank you for your nice words, @thehippierays! You are right that it's been very difficult for me, too. However, what's easy anyway :)
Moreover, I meant these words when I said them: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
:)
I guess our struggle made me do my How to Cope with Stress series. I would recommend you reading this article of mine. I have described a very curious case in it. It's about a person who dealt with ankylosing spondylitis, a degenerative disease causing the breakdown of collagen. He suffered a great deal of everyday pain but found a way to cope with it and promote his health (there are some scientific research references in the article that you may find helpful).
Have a great day! I send you positive thoughts in return :)
Wow, I just read your article and have to thank you again for taking the time to connect with me. You are on a similar positive mission as me but have an incredible talent for reference and writing! I look forward to reading more from you! I have been told to believe that in turn for dealing with all of these medical conditions in this life, next life I get to be majestic like a unicorn lol these silly but positive thoughts DO help. Your husband is on the right path for positive thinking days, laughter is key and is luckily contagious ;) I love that about laughter. You are amazing Miss, I greatly appreciate you connecting with me and I look forward to learning more about you and your husband's journey. Make today a great day with positive thinking :)
Thank you so much for saying this! I am glad I met you, too. Everyone has their own struggles and sometimes the "symptoms" may vary, but the perception and the feelings are the same. I do believe that sharing and talking about stuff helps!
Your post was featured in an entry into @pifc's Curation Contest:Week 49. Posts are selected because the entrant felt you are producing great content and deserve more attention (& rewards) on your post. As such your post has been upvoted and will be visited by other members of the PIFC Community.
We are always looking for new people to join our curation efforts. This is a great way to meet new people and become part of a community that focuses on helping one another.
Want to promote a post for free and have a chance to find some other great content? Check out this week's Pimp Your Post.
The Pay It Forward community also has a Discord Channel if you are interested in learning more about us.
Be strong 💪 and keep fighting
I came to your post because it was featured in an entry to @pifc's Curation Contest:Week 49
Posts that have been selected by the entrant will be visited by other members of the PIFC Community and given support.
You are welcome to submit other author’s post in future contests. The PIFC community has a support Discord Channel that you are invited to join. For more information about the PIFC family along with a great way to meet new people. We are a group of like minded people that focuses on assisting one another.
Thank you so much :) I appreciate your support and the information! Hope you have a great day with lots to smile about :)
Thank you 🙏 and a good day to you also.
Good for you to continue to fight the difficult fight with so much positivity and stamina. My husband struggles with chronic pain, so I see first hand the strength it takes to stay positive. You are a superhero!!
I found your post because @ajordundon featured you in a Pay it Forward Curation Contest entry; feel free to join us with an entry of your own any week. We'd love to have you!
Thank you for your support and for sharing that with me Lynn! The way I think, it is what it is. The pain is not going away. I can either let it take me mentally as well, be miserable and sad with the situation (which I often am), or I can be ok with who I am and shine one to help others. Inspiring one person at a time to think with a positive filter, regardless of our situations <3 your husband is lucky to have you and I hope you learn the lessons through him ;) stress can do awful things to our neurological systems, smile often <3 I'm going to start following you to learn more, I hope you have a great day!
You are most welcome @thehippierays! Brian and I have our down times, but normally, it's only one of us, so the other's there to pick up the pieces :) We make it a point to laugh and smile daily; if you look closely enough, there's always something positive to focus on.
Me and Brian (@briancourteau)'s blog have been empty for a few months now ... just focusing on each other instead of our laptops. Time is way too precious :)
Cheers!
It sounds like you two have developed a perfect support system for eachother, I am very happy to hear that. I have found that the strongest warriors are those with the greatest support. Brian is lucky to have you, I will definitely follow the blog even if it is empty for months to come :) enjoy every moment as the gift it is, the present :) "being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect. It means we decide to see beyond the imperfections." :) Make today a great day ith positive thinking :)
...ain't that the truth!!
Thank you <3
Thank you for sharing this post. I have learnt alot ftom it and i have been reassured that living on this earth is amongst the accomplishment of every humans.
Moreso, i have decided to feature your post in my entry for the payitforward curation contest by @pifc. You can check it out with this link. Thank you
https://steemit.com/pifc/@ajorundon/my-entry-for-the-payitforward-curation-contest-week-49
Thank you for your support! One of my favorite quotes is "life is tough darling, but so are you". Be kind to yourself and thank you again for featuring my post, I need all the support I can get! :) Make today a great day with positive thinking :)
Congratulations @thehippierays! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOP
Do not miss the last post from @steemitboard:
Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!
Thank you @thehippierays for sharing your life with us. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is no joke and I commend you for having the courage to share this difficult journey with the Steemit community. You are a FIGHTER, a WARRIOR, and so incredibly STRONG. I wish you all the best and will be sending you lots of prayers and good vibes your way.
I was able to find your awesome post because you were featured by @ajorundon in the Pay It Forward Curation Contest :)
Feel free to join us every week! We are a supportive and open community :)
Thank you for supporting
Posted using Partiko Android
Thank you @shari-loveurlife! Your support and words mean a lot to me! I do my best to make the best out of each day to hopefully inspire people and eventually connect with other warriors like @creativesoul <3 I love that the pay it forward contest has connected me with so many wonderful people, I will definitely be joining and appreciate all the support I can get. Thank you again for reaching out and for the kind words, I will be following you now to learn more about you :) hope you make today a good day is positive thinking :)
You're a survivor and a thriver. I'm grateful for people like you who are up front and honest about the difficulties being experienced - and still manage to put on a brave face for us.
I came by because @ajorundon featured you in the pay-it-forward curation contest. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for supporting
Posted using Partiko Android
Thank you @viking-ventures for the support! I share some of the difficulties I face so others can be inspired to try positive thinking for themselves, regardless of their situations :) I put on the brave face for myself, and it's kinda working after 2 years :) neuroplasticity is amazing. Thank you for your support and I hope you have a fantastic day with positive thinking :)
Hi! Hugs! I found you in the comments of a post by @chbartist. I will be following.
My blog has also been quiet as I am doing inner quest work. The time is coming to be writing here again, so I'm getting more involved. Happy to find you.
Suggested edit to some of your words above... Loving on you like I love on myself. I believe that the lesson I am applying here originally came from the late Wayne Dyer.
Becomes...
Be... not want to be...
The universe may just be giving you what you are asking for... The want to be...
I am so glad you found me and thank you for your support! I will be following you for once you become active again :) and I agree 100% with the Universe giving me the want of these things if I throw the wish out in those terms. That's why I said like it is real :) "I am happy, I am healthy and I am successful so mote it be" is how it is sent out daily :) the rules of the Universe are interesting but amazing once amplified without other static <3 my thoughts are so jumbled from all the neurological disorders I have, I'm lucky to make a sentence somedays, so bare with me :) thank you again for your support and I look forward to reading your new posts once published :) make today a great day with positive thinking :)