A Humongous Thank You to the People who have Liked, Commented and/or Followed this Blog
Month: September 2014
Poetry Day – Monday, September 15, 2014
(Graphic Design is also a new trail, I am venturing down. Please excuse typo (for), trying new graphics program. After saving, could not figure how to edit and correct. PicMonkey is still a work in process.
The uncertainty of writing this first poem was less stressful after reading a quote by William Wordsworth who defined, “poetry as the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
This poem is a strong expression of fear and anxiety for the safety of not only my grandsons; but, the grandsons and sons of all Black mothers and grandmothers in this country.
There were three reasons why I decided to write this poem:
I was Challenged by Imani a blogging friend who challenged me to try. Grateful to Imani who encouraged me to step up and give it a shot.
I was Prompted by this quote by Ella Baker, a Civil Rights Activists in the 1960s:
“Until the killing of black men, black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a white mother’s son, we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.”
I was Provoked by the unusual circumstances surrounding the deaths of Trayvon Martin (Hoodie), Michael Brown (Jaywalking), Jordan Davis (Loud Music), John Crawford (BB Gun), and Eric Garner (Selling Untaxed Cigarettes).
After writing this poem, the next step is to try to remember what I learned about poetry as a high school student.
Okay, reality check; the likelihood of remembering what I learned more than fifty-five years ago is nil.
So, as a start, I will begin a Google search on poetry writing — starting with http://www.dummies.com.
Grateful to Karuna: As I Journey to Live, Learn and Let Go
Almost two years ago, I created this blog to voice my opinion and share my life experiences. And, this I have done.
However, in the course of following other blogs, over this two-year period, I read about their opinions and life experiences of other bloggers.
And, through the world of blogosphere, I have become wiser and more understanding of the people, places and things that exist outside of my limited environment.
One of the bloggers that I have connected with, in a special way, is Karuna over at Living, Learning and Letting Go. Our lives are different in so many ways:
- She is white; and, I am Black.
- She is divorced; and, I have been married for 55 years.
- She lives in the northwest; and, I live in the southeast.
- She follows Amma (one of India’s foremost spiritual leaders); and, I am a baptized Baptist and attend on-line church services at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
- She is a vegetarian, and, I eat meat.
- She is a practicing psychotherapist, and, I am retired.
Despite these differences, Karuna’s blog resonated with me from the beginning. Her posts opened up my space to explore and receive the “new and different;” and; I am confident that going outside my comfort zone is a part of the journey, in this season of my life, to Live, Learn and Let Go.
Right, now I am reading Karuna’s book “Getting to Joy: A Western Householder’s Spiritual Journey Amritanandarmayi.” This book as well as Karuna’s blog:
- Motivated me to go outside of my comfort zone;
- Exposed me to a different spiritual practice;
- Educated me on recycling and climate change issues;
- Introduced me to Ashrams in India; and
- Inspired me through her writings, musical lyrics, and beautiful photographs.
I am grateful to Karuna for bringing something “new and different” into my life.
When I Live, I Learn — and, even if, I Let Go — I believe what enters my space remains.
Gratitude Sunday – September 13, 2014
Saturday Morning Date
I express gratitude for all that enters my space — whether it brings me:
- happiness or sadness;
- order or turmoil;
- panic or serenity.
Because, I believe everything is in accordance with God’s Plan.
Today, I am grateful for yesterday; and, the early Saturday morning outing with Hubby.
Our Saturday Morning Date begins with a stop at Panera’s Bread:
Our order is the same week-after-week — decaf coffee and a cheese bagel. The bagel (33 carbs/330 calories) is our weekly treat. While, it violates the healthy eating low-carb, low-cal diet plan that we follow during the week; we, make this choice without guilt. After all, we could have had:
When we finish breakfast, it’s off to the Neighborhood Y to fulfill the last of our four-day per week exercise program commitment:
We arrived when the doors opened at 8:00 a.m.; and, surprise our Friendly Greeter, who normally welcomes us with a beautiful smile at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays, was staffing the Front Desk.
All checked in and ready to workout. My first stop is 20 minutes on the Pre-Cor, followed by circuit weights, and ending with 20 minutes on the stationary bike.
Hubby deviated a bit from his normal workout, which includes 20 minutes on the bike. Instead, he did 20 minutes on the treadmill; and, then allowed the extra time for weights — circuit and free.
After our workout, we chose to relax and rest for the rest of the day. He watched football; and, I wrote the first draft of my weekly Monday morning post.
I am grateful for my wonderful Saturday Morning Date with Hubby. Though some may see this as an ordinary Saturday morning; for me, it was an extra-ordinary morning. Even after almost fifty-five years of marriage to my teenage sweetheart, I treasure every moment spent with him.
FMS | Yoga in Bed & ATR Challenge Update!
After living with Fibromyalgia for 20+ years, I am grateful for the information shared in this post. And, I wanted to reblog to share with others. Than you –www.diedreblake.wordpress.com
Image found: http://blackyogis.tumblr.com/
Today, the yoga mat looks too far away–to be honest, for two days I denied the existence of my mat…What mat?–and I don’t know that I feel like excessive movement is an option for me today, much like yesterday and the day before that.
Still, I am into opposite action, so I unroll the mat. Like the walls and most everything else in my room, the mat is pink, a nice loving colour, and I need some unconditional love right about now.
Image found: http://blackyogis.tumblr.com/
Fun fact: I’ve practiced yoga since the age of 3
I take a moment just to be in tadasana, listening to and regulating my breathing while centering my core…
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Thankful Thursday – September 11, 2014
I Am Thankful Today for:
- The beautiful flowers and plants in my Healing Garden.
- A wonderful Hubby who assembled my new potting table this week. It definitely will make what I love to do, potting plants, a little easier.
- The imanikingblog for inspiring me to take part in Thankful Thursday, which I plan to continue weekly.
A must read if you want your Gravatar to work for you!
Are you lost in the cyberspace of the blogosphere? Most everybody knows what a Gravatar is, right? It’s that little image you inserted that tells people who you are. However, if you “like” something on my page, but you have not commented, I have no way to check out your site to see who you are. (BTW, if I have a lot of likes/comments on something, the notifications box has probably scrolled you away before I had time to check you out, especially if I wasn’t sitting by the computer.Checking archives can be a pain.)
Make it easy for me! We might could become good friends and have a nifty online relationship…if I can find you.
So help me out, if you have not done this already! I would love to check out your stuff, chances are, if you “liked” mine, I would “like” yours, too.
- Go to…
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Wordless Wednesday – September 10, 2014
Why De-Stress With Meditation
I have experienced a decrease in both my blood pressure stress level, since I began meditating almost two years ago. My day starts at 5:00 a.m. with a morning meditation, it grounds and prepared me for the remainder of the day.
BY: Dinndayal Morgan Yogi Priest/Life Coach/Speaker/5 Rings Movement Therapist & Executive Director at Pathfinder Institute.
Meditation has been practiced for as long as anyone can remember. It’s still being practiced now as a means to promote better health and well-being and has been integrated as part of therapy programs for various conditions. One of the most popular applications is to de-stress with meditation.
Stress seems to be one of the primary things that people are battling these days, and with good reason. Stress can be triggered by a number of things: health, emotional problems, relationships, major life changes, your job (or for some people, the lack of one), or even the environment. Sometimes, involvement in a traumatic event can even cause prolonged stress disorders that may require professional help to deal with.
To de-stress with meditation is a practical exercise that more and more people are getting into. Proper…
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Thankful for the OLOGISTS in My Life
Before Breast Cancer Diagnoses
For more than fifty years, the only OLOGIST in my life was the GynecOLOGIST.
Annually, I scheduled appointments for three health care examinations. One with the GynecOlogist; and, the other two were for a yearly physical examination and mammogram.
For years, I chose to ignore the potential health hazards of being:
- a smoker;
- overweight;
- overworked;
- an exercise abstainer;
- stressed out;
- sleep deprived; and
- spiritually undernourished.
In 1993, I was diagnosed with two chronic conditions — Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. Now, I needed a second “OLOGIST,” the RheumatOLOGIST.
With these two diagnoses, the frequency of visits for health care treatment increased from three followup exams per year to monthly followup visits, bi-monthly lab testing, and a host of prescribed medications.
After being diagnosed, with two chronic health conditions, I made some healthy lifestyle choices. I —
- no longer smoked,
- found outlets for spiritual nourishment, and
- committed to a formalized exercise program.
But, I failed to address some of the other health hazards —
- Stress;
- Overworking;
- Weight Fluctuations; and
- Sleep Deprivation.
Despite the continued health hazards in my life, for more than fifteen years, my two chronic health conditions were adequately managed and controlled with —
- Medications;
- Self-Management Tools;
- RheumatOLOGIST Medical Management; and
- Lifestyle Changes.
Then, the Breast Cancer diagnosis came in 2008.
After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Medication Side Effects
Between 2008 and 2013, I was diagnosed with five different health care conditions.
Each diagnosis, including breast cancer, was attributed to a side effects from a different medication; and, all were prescribed to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis.
To treat these conditions, I had to add five more OLOGISTS to my healthcare team:
- OncOLOGIST;
- PulmonolOLOGIST;
- CardiOLOGIST;
- PsychOLOGIST; and
- OphthamOLOGIST.
There may even be a sixth OLOGIST, after my consultation visit in two weeks with a DermatOLOGIST. A cluster of bumps appeared on the right side of my face several weeks ago. This may be a side effect of a new Rheumatoid Arthritis medication; which, was added to replace one that was discontinued because of a side-effect that affected my lungs. I will share the results of this visit in an upcoming post.
Despite the side effects and added health care conditions, I AM Thankful for the OLOGISTS in My Life
And, when, I Grow Tired of the OLOGISTS, I
- STOP
- BREATHE
- EXPRESS GRATITUDE
And, quietly say, “I LIVE Because of the OCOLOGISTS in My Life.
What I Want for Everyone
I WISH that every underinsured or uninsured person, in this country, one day will have access, like me, to OLOGISTS and other health care providers.
SeasonedSistah 