Message to a

[Guest guest]

Greetings: Earlier today I read a message posted by a lady named

a. In this message she talked about the way life used to be and I

received the impression that her battle with RSD was keeping her from

doing what she used to do. For a and all those having pity parties

[yes I'm aware of what I'm writing] this is for you!

Isn't It Strange?

Isn't it strange?

That princes and kings,

And clowns that caper

In sawdust rings,

And common people

Like you and me

Are builders of eternity?

Each is given a bag of tools,

A shapeless mass,

A book of rules;

And each must make ---

Ere life has flown ---

A stumbling block

Or a stepping stone!

As I have said before to others on this list anyone who has lived and

continues to live with chronic pain is a special person. Do not, I

repeat do not live in the past. Remember the good memories and move

on. Cherie - Ph.d. in her book " If Life is A Game These are

the Rules. " says and I quote " The body you are given will be yours for

the duration of your time here. Love it or hate it, accept it or reject

it, it is the only one you will receive in this lifetime. It will be

with you from the moment you draw your first breath to the last beat of

your heart. Since there is a no-refund, no-exchange policy on this body

of yours, it is essential that you learn to transform your body from a

mere vessel into a beloved partner and lifelong ally, as the

relationship between you and your body is the most fundamental and

important relationship of your lifetime. It is the blueprint from which

all your other relationships will be built.

I am not out to start a war. What I want to do is provide some

perspective, to get you my reader to not take for granted what you have

accomplished. a writes: I no longer drive. I bought my first car

with my own money finally, loved it, loved driving to kid places,

playing taxi. have a family. Well a, I was born with a disability

that didn't allow me to drive period, yet I have survived.

You are not worthless, you have a marriage of 26 years, you have

children. Now is the time to dig deep within yourself and find a new

passion that you can still do even with the RSD. That's what this

message is all about. Moving on. At 53 years of age I can no longer

clean my apartment very well. I applied and currently get someone every

two weeks to come in and clean. Do I feel strange because someone is

doing what I used to do? Of course I do. Do I dwell on it? No!

These words apply to all who read this. This e-mail list was started to

help people have normal lives. To the lady that lives across the pond

who says she can only dream about having help! Do you know how to

barter? Offer something that is legal and doable and figure out how to

get help with cleaning. Here is what I have done. The couple who live

on the main floor of the house I live, well she can't bake to save her

life. Well, I can bake. It is a skill I still can do. So I give them

baking and they help me when I need my laundry basket taken either up or

down the second floor stairs. Now that isn't so hard to think about is

it?

Eleanor Roosevelt said, " No one can make you feel inferior without your

consent. " If you look at the bottom of this message you will see what I

believe in. More than a year ago I started down a road heading to major

surgery. Someone asked me if I was afraid? I said yes, but I also told

them it was going to be and interesting journey, and so it has! In

closing just because we have tough lives to live doesn't mean we should

give up or give in!!

Be Blest, D.

--

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" Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. "

~ Helen Keller ~

" There are no mistakes, no coincidences.

All events are blessings given to us to learn from. "

~ Kubler-Ross ~

These are my three treasures

Compassion, frugality and humility.

Being compassionate one has courage,

Being frugal one has abundance.

Being humble one becomes the chief of all vessels.

~ Lao Tzu ~

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