Balance Challenges

I’ve blogged lots about balance as it  relates to mental challenges. I’ve blogged about cancer and mental health. I’ve never blogged about MS but I have donated to it. It’s one of those diseases that isn’t obvious when you look at someone so unless you get to know them you don’t even realize what struggles they go through. 

I went to Haiti with a young nurse and mother of 3 who lives with MS. A young friend, Breanne, who went to high school with my son so that’s how young, has MS. She balances her work as a primary years teacher with physical and mental health. She doesn’t let it slow her down and travels extensively despite the fact that MS sometimes makes it tricky to work around. She also regularly goes kayaking and hiking! I’ve also seen the other side of this process when it ravished one of our OR nurses in the prime of her life. 

The story below is of a biking friend who speaks frankly with the MS Society about what it’s really like to live with this disease. So here is  Kate’s Story.

I’m doing a 75 km bike ride up in Waskesiu in September. I’m riding on Kate’s team and am honoured to have been asked to join such an inspiring group. The ride will fun and maybe a bit painful (old tailbone injury) but more important will be the funds raised by team will go to research and treatment for MS. 

This is the link to my Donation Page.

Take care and reflect today on your blessings. I know I am.

Bernie 

Recharging

True story. Balance within all aspects of life is so essential but fragile. Daily choices. Big picture items and the little details. 

Bernie 

Summer Sunday Snap Chat

The calendar reminds me that the days are getting shorter. This wheat field is a visual that reinforces that. 

The sunshine hours are so precious and I’m always happy when I’m outside “puttering”. Both the veggie and the flower garden are a source of food and beauty. 

When I’m not puttering I’m usually beside the mason working on the rock wall. I have a love hate relationship with rocks because after three years of back and arm  strengthening work I’m like so “over it” but I can still see the beauty in the rocks. 

The beauty in the next picture is more than skin deep which is good because the skin is messy! First encounter with an Arrowroot  biscuit and while she really enjoyed it the result ensured a bath at Gran’s house.Whether it’s with the camera or your memory it’s good to focus on the positives and the beauty in life. It’s far too easy to get weighted down with all the negatives and the “busy”. 

Bernie 

Ps I know this isn’t snap chat but that’s what I called my little chat that went with the snapped pictures! 

Equipoise Lost

Sometimes in the midst of chaos there is great beauty. The question is can we stop and recognize it. I think that all the great philosophers must have been gardeners. It gives one time to ponder and draw parallels. 

As I grapple with some chaos in my life I am reminded that it’s all about balance. Madly off in all directions with no moderation at all doesn’t allow for equipoise. We all need to build in a daily reminder of gratitude. Then we can sort through the issues and figure out priorities while always keeping our core values staring at us. 

I found 5 Vimy Ridge memorial poppies amongst the 2′ tall weeds. Helps bring perspective and balance. 

Bernie 

What not to wear

There was a show a few years back where “they” picked apart someone’s sense of style and their wardrobe. Tips were given for shopping and some money and off they went to reinvent their own look but much more tastefully.

Well yes I could have been a participant on it except that I’d bloody well refuse to

The 4 B’s

Turns out blogging, beer, baking and BBQ don’t go hand in hand.

Little Voice

I’m pretty good at ignoring the little voice in my head. As a caregiver I’m quite typical in that I usually put myself last. Obviously when you combine those two factors self-neglect happens. 

Just when you thought you’d seen it all!

Seriously just when you thought you’d seen as far as the mind (not mine) could go something tops it. Then something else jumps out and grabs your attention. Before you know it the list of weird things is longer than the list of classics. 

Not Such Fresh Trails

I came home from work yesterday feeling totally depleted. It hasn’t been harder than any other day at work although that was preceded by a poor night of sleep.

Then today I got the

Manifest 2017

The year typically starts with resolutions; which people then forget or struggle to maintain. 

I’ve personally spent the last few years using a focus word. I used balance for two years as I couldn’t find any! Then I switched to moderation as I don’t tend to go half way on anything and always commit big time. 

I was chilling out on a work break the other day and used

 a social media quiz site. Heck it has as much luck of guessing what my year ahead will look like as I do! I’m assuming that it uses key words of posts to pick up traits etc.

So in the end I gave it three whirls. 

Now I ponder 2017 and what kind of aspirations and activities to plan for the year. Perhaps I should be confident in my creativity and that would allow me to prosper? Or I could be confident that I will prosperity and quit my job for creative time. Hm. 

Who saw what 2016 had in store? Not me so while we can plan ahead and make lists we just don’t know. 

I’ll probably skip moderation because sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and “do it”. I’ll keep my focus on the items below and try to maintain some balance as I approach opportunities. 

• Health
• Family
• Fitness 

Bernie 

Just read an article that my ER Doc buddy posted; kind of speaks to the resolutions and how to live a healthy lifestyle. Worth the read — the link is below. 

Choose one for 2017