Life Goes On

Wow, life just keeps getting busier and more interesting as time goes by.  Again, I cannot believe how long it's been since I've been on here.

These last couple of years have been tough with four deaths in less than a year plus some health problems among other things.  My spiritual journey felt like it has been on hold, yet I realize that everything that happened is part of the journey.

Not everything was bad.  Last year we joined a ghost club. One of the first things we did was go to a cemetery (of course) to see what people could pick up.  I was drawn to the other side of the cemetery so I decided to walk over and see why.  As I approached I sensed a little girl was there.  When I got to the headstone and read it I was excited. The headstone is for a 9 year old girl.  As I left I got the sense she didn't want me to leave and that she either couldn't come with me or felt she shouldn't.  On our way out I had pictures taken with her.  At first I didn't see anything in the pictures but then I saw her. In the picture we 'posed together in' you can see a face with a little girl face peering over the shoulder.  Interestingly, in the photo where I'm asking her to come join me she appears remarkably like Casper the Friendly Ghost!!!  She preyed on my mind so much that the next day I Googled her.  I found her obituary which stated she died from an illness following measles.  That explained how I picked up that she didn't think she could join us! While I feel very sad for her, I was excited as for the first time I had proof I actually sense spirits.

My newest challenges have been aging parents.  I've lost my dad to Alzheimer's and now it appears my mom might have Dementia and my stepdad Alzheimer's.  My siblings have been unsupportive up until now, so I've had to do the song and dance all on my own.  Just how do you bring up to your mom you want her tested for dementia?!?!?   Well, I managed and now we're setting up an appointment.  And my stepdad...that will be an interesting (NOT) one.  He has already refused to sign a HIPPA release because the doctor does not need to be talking to anyone about him!  At least we have the wills updated and the power of attorneys completed.  Whew.

Through what I've gone through so far I've learned I really, really, really need to focus on taking care of myself.  Unfortunately part of that is reducing my fun stuff with friends.  I still plan on doing things but it will have to be greatly reduced.  I have been exhausted.  I cannot imagine what my mom is going through.  We talked last night about getting tested for dementia and my stepdad possibly having Alzheimer's and she's scared.  More about my stepdad (she claims).  One thing I've vowed is that I will hide nothing from her.

Now to get the siblings to step forward and help...

Emergency Stress Kit

I got caught up in life recently...my apologies for not posting something sooner.

I have put together two things...one is my emergency stress kit, one is my prevention plan.  In my emergency stress kit are:

• First and foremost, make sure I am spiritually connected.  Have I been meditating and staying connected with my higher power?  This is the most important one, the rest are tools my higher power provided me.
• Comedy television shows and movies!  When I'm having problems, I need the laughter...it's one of the best forms of stress relief.
• If I am having trouble sleeping due to stress or anxiety, I like Sleepytime Extra.  About the time I am half way through the cup, I can hardly keep my eyes open (I make sure I'm in bed prior to drinking it).  I found the regular Sleepytime does not do quite the job as Sleepytime Extra.  If I am at work, or do not want to do to sleep, I use Tension Tamer.
• Physical exercise!!  This is a must to wear off that energy that is built up!!  Many studies show aerobic exercise is the best, however for me I find that using my muscles works best.  So I clean, rearrange my furniture, etc.
• Yoga/Meditation - or any form of relaxation technique (I've just discovered Qi-Gong and love it).  These relaxation techniques help calm the mind.
• Vitamin B supplement.
• Try to eliminate all caffeine and sugar! The system does not need that when you are trying to calm down.
• I have to admit, I have a teddy bear I sleep with when it's really bad.  It's comforting.
• I have CD's that help reduce stress.  Some have soothing music, such as Enya, Yanni, Kenny G, or are made just for the purpose of reducing stress (found in the book stores), others are affirmation CDs.
• List reasons I am grateful...blue sky, flowers, a pet snuggling with me, the smell of rain on the ground, a child's laughter, hot running water for a shower...the list can go on indefinitely.
• Go to the Do As One site.  This site focuses on breathing (or laughter in one 'room').  I really like this site as there are various length timers, including one for only two minutes.  This is a great resource to use when I don't have much time, such as when I'm at work.
• DRINK LOTS OF WATER!!!
• JOURNAL!!!

This is my stress management kit...so if I can't find my document on my computer, at least I can always come back here!  Next I will be talking about my prevention plan, which will be very similar to the above...

Have a peaceful day everyone!

Anxiety Bloomed Again

Last evening an event happened that reminded me to focus on anxiety prevention.  Recently I became lax on doing what I am supposed to be doing.  One of my beloved cats, Chloe, got out of the yard.  Now realistically, Chloe knew how to get back home.  She used to be a neighbor's cat that kept getting out of his house and coming to mine (he eventually told me to keep her).  So I KNEW she would come back...however anxiety took over.  I thought about all the posters and Lost ads I've seen over the years, and the stories I've heard people tell about how their pet never returned.  And hey, there are cars out there that could hit her...and cruel kids that think it's funny to torture animals, not to mention dogs that attack cats.  My anxiety skyrocketed!

In the past I put together a "Stress Management Emergency Kit" for times such as these.  However, life had been going so well in the last year or so that I forgot all about it.  Then when I did remember, I couldn't remember anything in it, nor the list of what it contained.  This morning I hop onto the computer to redo my kit, as well as put together an official anxiety prevention plan.  Before I started, I search my computer just in case my kit list was there...and of course it was!  In plain site, top level of My Documents.  I shook my head at myself.

So right now I'm developing my anxiety prevention plan, as well as updating my Stress Management Emergency Kit.  I believe in the Mind~Body~Soul connection, so I want to make sure all these areas are covered in my plan and kit.  I'll post my anxiety prevention plan next...need to go finish it...stay tuned...then after that will be my Stress Management Emergency Kit. 

In the meantime, remember to breathe!!

Life's Perspective

I have a high school reunion coming up.  As I was contemplating whether I wanted to attend or not (I have gained a lot of weight, I am still single, and I have no kids) and feeling...well, basically sorry for myself, a friend shared this video on facebook.  It made me pause and consider what the truly important things in life are. I thought I'd share.

Strength from Trials

My life had been a fairly easy one, even though my parents divorced when I was young.  I was fortunate in that my parents worked hard to remain friends.  I have been very grateful to them for that. 

In 1999, it seemed like the ‘powers that be’ took a look at my life and decided I was WAY behind on the trials we all have in life - and they decided to catch me up on them.  For nine years, my life was lived in what I call a ‘black hole’.  Hit after hit came, giving me no time to recover before the next one hit.  During that time I remember reading about how trials make us stronger.  And I vehemently disagreed with that statement.  I felt weaker, not stronger – they were crazy and didn’t know what they were talking about!

I had major anxiety issues from all the stress that was going on in my life.  I had no 'tools' to deal with what was happening.  My mental state...well, while my family has always considered me odd, was now also on shaky ground.  I couldn't take it any more...I had to find a way to deal with this.  I did a lot of researching anxiety.  This introduced me to many tools and resources to help me.  And each thing I learned led me to another one, which eventually led me to my spiritual journey I am currently on.

Three years ago these major events culminated with the death of my eldest nephew.  As sad as I am, I have to be grateful to him - he gave me a last gift in his passing.  It was through that whole ordeal that I recognized that I had become stronger.  The saying was true, we do become stronger through our trials.  I now view it as similar to strengthening our muscles.  We have to be pushed to the point of being a little weaker, in order for the muscles to build and become stronger.

If you’re in a ‘black hole’, believing you’re weaker and will never be strong(er) again, just have faith.  It just takes a little time, but you will come out on the other side stronger. Trust me, I’ve been there. 

Adversity? Stay Optimistic!

I do seem to be in a Dalai Lama/Buddhist frame of mind since this class started.  Of course, with my topic he is one of the individuals that make news happen!  This past week the Dalai Lama had an interactive session with students in Gangtok, Sikkim, India on how to stay optimistic during adversarial times.  His message struck me as information that helps manage anxiety, and I figured it would be good to share.

As some of you may know, the Dalai Lama has faced his share of adversity in his lifetime, starting when he was 16 years old.  He’s lost his country and freedom.  However he managed to keep his mental state calm.  How did he do this?  The Dalai Lama states on his video clip, “when things look difficult, accept that.  When we face a problem, investigate that problem, nature of that problem.  If that problem can work on it through effort, than no need worry.  If that problem no need to work on it, than no use to worry.  Very realistic approach.”

I loved how simplistic his advice is!  It might be stating the obvious; however for those with anxiety issues, it’s not so obvious when in the middle of an anxiety attack.  As the Dalai Lama said, “Try it, in order to keep our emotion mind calm, than no matter what the situation, you can be happy person, and useful for other people.”

Now, I just need to have this advice tattooed on me somewhere I can see it all the time…

Purpose Of This Blog

I am very excited about this blog as I have wanted to start one, but did not know how to go about it.  Then the University of Northern Colorado offered a course called Blogging for Journalists, which teaches how to blog.  I jumped at the chance!  So now I am using this course to get my blog off and running.  While the course will only last four weeks, this blog will continue.

Each of us is on our own spiritual path.  I am creating this blog with the hopes that by sharing what I have learned through my spiritual lessons, I might help others on their own path. 

This topic has become very important to me over the last five years.  I have had problems with anxiety over the years.  It wasn’t until I started unknowingly discovering my spiritual path that I started to make progress with reducing my anxiety.  Yes, my discovery started accidently – more on that another day.  If anything I can say here helps even one person, this blog is worth my time and effort.  Please let me know your thoughts and perspectives during this journey.