Have you ever had a time when your life was undergoing a major change and you have NO idea on the outcome? If you're over the age of 20 you've had this happen on some level whether it's going off to college, moving away, starting a new job or getting married. Life is about change; nothing remains static, but does it ever get any EASIER?
Apparently not! Here I am in my mid-fifties and our life is about to take a major turn. It isn't necessary to go into the gory details because what concerns me isn't what the change is, but rather how my hubby and I are going to adapt to it.
Up until 2 years ago, I'd grown complacent about our life journey and it's outcome. I had a plan that would take me to retirement and then another plan that would carry us through retirement. It was nothing earth-shattering and I fully expected it would move along with few hitches on the way. Boy, was I wrong!
We've had our share of life's upsets and surprises. Each time we've been faithful and adapted to the changes, but this time I feel so much more vulnerable. Part of it is my physical condition. Having a disability and being in constant pain makes adapting very difficult. I haven't even adjusted to the idea that I may never be able to go back to my old job. More change just feels overwhelming and I have to admit to feeling a lack of faithfulness in the outcome.
But then my rational mind kicks in and I realize life offers no warranties at any time. Just because I had a plan doesn't mean it will see fruition. Change is necessary for growth and no doubt these changes we're undergoing are happening because we need growth. I need to do what I've always done in the past; trust that God is in the middle of these changes and He is enough.
It seems change is a constant and necessary part of life and depending how we roll with it makes it easier or harder. I may feel overwhelmed by all the changes we are undergoing, but I can choose to rest in the knowledge there is someone at the helm or I can try to take over. These are my choices. Resting seems the easier approach so, that's how I'll choose to roll.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Update
Just a brief post to fill you in on how my exercising is going. I was Steady Eddy last week and managed to do my `thang` every day. It was PAINFUL, but I must admit I did feel somewhat better afterward. I mostly noticed my energy levels immediately jumped up a notch or two. So I went from coma level to semi-conscious! Yea!
Sadly I missed 3 days in a row and now feel like I`m starting over. DRAT!! Why does it take so little to lose all you`ve gained. So, after a short pause, I`ll dive back in and will not get defeated! Big talk, eh.
Nevertheless, I found several new exercises on a spine rehab website that may be beneficial (assuming they don`t kill me in the process!). It mixes things up and hopefully helps keep me going. It isn`t easy to find just the right kind of exercises that will get me fit, but won`t exacerbate the back injury.
More importantly is discovering a way to keep mentally fit. Trust me when you hurt like HE double hockey sticks BEFORE you even start exercising and you know it`s going to hurt even more during the session; the temptation is to crawl back into bed! The mental effort may exceed the physical. Still I`m determined to find a way to live well with this disability, painful or not. So, I`ll sign off with a cheery ``later alligator,after awhile crocodile``!!
Pain is no evil unless it conquers us.
George Eliot
Sadly I missed 3 days in a row and now feel like I`m starting over. DRAT!! Why does it take so little to lose all you`ve gained. So, after a short pause, I`ll dive back in and will not get defeated! Big talk, eh.
Nevertheless, I found several new exercises on a spine rehab website that may be beneficial (assuming they don`t kill me in the process!). It mixes things up and hopefully helps keep me going. It isn`t easy to find just the right kind of exercises that will get me fit, but won`t exacerbate the back injury.
More importantly is discovering a way to keep mentally fit. Trust me when you hurt like HE double hockey sticks BEFORE you even start exercising and you know it`s going to hurt even more during the session; the temptation is to crawl back into bed! The mental effort may exceed the physical. Still I`m determined to find a way to live well with this disability, painful or not. So, I`ll sign off with a cheery ``later alligator,after awhile crocodile``!!
Pain is no evil unless it conquers us.
George Eliot
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Plan
I exercised yesterday. Well, at least I tried, but having a back injury isn't exactly conductive to exercising. I didn't jump (not that I could jump) into this willy-nilly; I did research on what types of exercises someone like me (over 50 and crippled) could do. I'd hoped my research would discover that all the professionals would recommend rest, lots and lots of rest. Sadly, it seems exercise is just about the finest thing one can do for just about any back injury. Imagine that!
So, thus armed with all this information I developed a quasi professional exercise plan that supposedly will lessen my pain in the long run. It definitely must be in the "long run" because it hurt like HE - double hockey sticks!! It involves a series of stretching, flexibility training and core building.
For those of you who have been under a rock I'd like to inform you that core building is the quintessential exercise. It is the basis behind a strong back. The core or abdominal muscles ( both external and internal) support the back so, if you build a strong core, viola', you get a strong back! If you have a strong back all other exercises are easier and you're unlikely to ever injure your back. So, I take it that I didn't have a strong core prior to injuring my back?? So, tell me if I'm wrong here...but, building a strong core now seems a little like closing the barn doors AFTER the horse got out!!
Nope. The professionals all agree that core building even after a back injury can aid the return to "reasonable" health. What "reasonable health" means to my back, only time will tell. So, core building it is. For you younger gals, I'd suggest you seriously consider doing your core building NOW rather than wait until you're a half century old!
The "Plan" is to do these exercises every morning for a couple of weeks then add some cardio via the stationary bike, swimming or walking. Although I'd love to walk, currently it's far too difficult and I need to use a walker so, I'll have to bike or swim until I get stronger or pain-free enough to walk. My daughters don't know this yet, but I intend to involve them in my little swimming venture.
I've only exercised one day and I have never been one of those exercise nuts; you know the ones who get that glazed look when they talk about getting in the "zone". The only zone I'm truly interested in is the handicap one by Dairy Queen, but I digress... So, I will have to give myself a daily pep talk before I dig out my mat and start sweating to the "oldies"!
In the interest of feeling better so, I can pursue my Eden, I guess I must might the bullet and build a strong core. Yesterday was a start and hopefully I can continue to face adding pain to the pain until that day when I can proclaim, "Exercise is the BEST thing I could ever do for a back injury!" Yea!
So, thus armed with all this information I developed a quasi professional exercise plan that supposedly will lessen my pain in the long run. It definitely must be in the "long run" because it hurt like HE - double hockey sticks!! It involves a series of stretching, flexibility training and core building.
For those of you who have been under a rock I'd like to inform you that core building is the quintessential exercise. It is the basis behind a strong back. The core or abdominal muscles ( both external and internal) support the back so, if you build a strong core, viola', you get a strong back! If you have a strong back all other exercises are easier and you're unlikely to ever injure your back. So, I take it that I didn't have a strong core prior to injuring my back?? So, tell me if I'm wrong here...but, building a strong core now seems a little like closing the barn doors AFTER the horse got out!!
Nope. The professionals all agree that core building even after a back injury can aid the return to "reasonable" health. What "reasonable health" means to my back, only time will tell. So, core building it is. For you younger gals, I'd suggest you seriously consider doing your core building NOW rather than wait until you're a half century old!
The "Plan" is to do these exercises every morning for a couple of weeks then add some cardio via the stationary bike, swimming or walking. Although I'd love to walk, currently it's far too difficult and I need to use a walker so, I'll have to bike or swim until I get stronger or pain-free enough to walk. My daughters don't know this yet, but I intend to involve them in my little swimming venture.
I've only exercised one day and I have never been one of those exercise nuts; you know the ones who get that glazed look when they talk about getting in the "zone". The only zone I'm truly interested in is the handicap one by Dairy Queen, but I digress... So, I will have to give myself a daily pep talk before I dig out my mat and start sweating to the "oldies"!
In the interest of feeling better so, I can pursue my Eden, I guess I must might the bullet and build a strong core. Yesterday was a start and hopefully I can continue to face adding pain to the pain until that day when I can proclaim, "Exercise is the BEST thing I could ever do for a back injury!" Yea!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Start Today!
I have lived over half a century. Wow! Even I can't believe it when I say it, but somehow the years slipped by and here I am in 2011 and have most likely lived at least two thirds of my life.
It's humbling to think in those terms. I was one of those young people who made the mistake of thinking I had lots of time. I lived recklessly thinking one day I would take better care of myself, save for the future, pursue dreams and in general, do more with my life. One day... Well, one day has come and I didn't get ready for it at all. Which is why I've spent the past two years feeling sorry for myself and living in regret. Another devilish lie to help me waste the time I've been given on this earth.
I'm done listening to the lies. The time to do things is now and if you're reading this and are still young enough to be foolish, STOP! Listen to this old broad; there isn't all kinds of time to do whatever you dream about. It will slip away in raising kids, doing laundry, cooking and cleaning. It will escape you while you're mindlessly entertaining yourself with television, video games or gossiping with girlfriends. Do it now, even if it's just small increments. It will add up and when you've reached the half century mark, you can reflect back with satisfaction rather than regret.
If you're an old broad like myself; quit listening to the lies that it's too late, why bother or you're too old. The time lost is lost, but God can bless our mess if we'll just step up and start living our dreams now! Start believing in yourself and stop wasting time. Maybe you may never have the fullness of what it might have been, but there is still time to do something.
So today is my day to start doing what I should have done 20 or 30 years ago. Who knows what this Grandma might accomplish with God's blessing? Whatever comes of living now will be better than continuing to live in regret. Regrets are for the foolish and unwise. It doesn't matter if you're 30, 50 or 75. Whatever it is you've thought you will do "one day", start today. Whatever comes of it is better than wishing on your death bed that you'd stopped wasting your life and letting time slip away with dreams and goals left unforfilled.
I will let my dear readers (I hope you are out there...) in on my progress as I start pursuing my Eden. No more regrets. No more believing the lies. This old broad is going to rock and roll....
It's humbling to think in those terms. I was one of those young people who made the mistake of thinking I had lots of time. I lived recklessly thinking one day I would take better care of myself, save for the future, pursue dreams and in general, do more with my life. One day... Well, one day has come and I didn't get ready for it at all. Which is why I've spent the past two years feeling sorry for myself and living in regret. Another devilish lie to help me waste the time I've been given on this earth.
I'm done listening to the lies. The time to do things is now and if you're reading this and are still young enough to be foolish, STOP! Listen to this old broad; there isn't all kinds of time to do whatever you dream about. It will slip away in raising kids, doing laundry, cooking and cleaning. It will escape you while you're mindlessly entertaining yourself with television, video games or gossiping with girlfriends. Do it now, even if it's just small increments. It will add up and when you've reached the half century mark, you can reflect back with satisfaction rather than regret.
If you're an old broad like myself; quit listening to the lies that it's too late, why bother or you're too old. The time lost is lost, but God can bless our mess if we'll just step up and start living our dreams now! Start believing in yourself and stop wasting time. Maybe you may never have the fullness of what it might have been, but there is still time to do something.
So today is my day to start doing what I should have done 20 or 30 years ago. Who knows what this Grandma might accomplish with God's blessing? Whatever comes of living now will be better than continuing to live in regret. Regrets are for the foolish and unwise. It doesn't matter if you're 30, 50 or 75. Whatever it is you've thought you will do "one day", start today. Whatever comes of it is better than wishing on your death bed that you'd stopped wasting your life and letting time slip away with dreams and goals left unforfilled.
I will let my dear readers (I hope you are out there...) in on my progress as I start pursuing my Eden. No more regrets. No more believing the lies. This old broad is going to rock and roll....
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