Getting back in shape physically, mentally & emotionally in 2020

With 2019 being a thing of the past, I've decided to enter 2020 with a positive attitude. There's so much to look forward to in life and we need to embrace it. I will do everything in my power to focus on the positive and stay away from the stress and drama of negativity.

I started meditating. A practice I've never been able to do in the past but I'm in a different mindset and it truly seems to be helping. I downloaded this really cool App called "Headspace". The narrator takes you on the meditation journey,  step by step through the process. It's not as hard as you think and the rewards are plenty.

12 Science - Based Benefits (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation)

1)   Reduces Stress
2)   Controls Anxiety
3)   Promotes Emotional Health
4)   Enhances Self-Awareness
5)   Lengthens Attention Span
6)   May Reduce Age-Related Memory Loss
7)   Can Generate Kindness
8)   May Help Fight Addictions
9)   Improves Sleep
10) Helps Control Pain
11) Can Decrease Blood Pressure
12) You Can Meditate Anywhere

I also started to do Yoga again. https://yogawithadriene.com/30days/  Who knew just by stretching, you could get so sore!! (LOL) Slow and steady is the goal, and trying to stretch this 63 year old body isn't as easy as one would think. I'm very sore but it feels so good, it means I'm alive!

Set goals, and take steps towards accomplishing each and every one. It makes you feel great when you do!   ~Namaste~

Retired and loving it! 

Growing up and growing into adult hood, I wondered how it would be to retire. Guess what? It's great! I get up at my leisure, no alarm clock, (for me, it's still 7:00am) and enjoy a cup of coffee and sometimes even make a second cup. I putz around looking for all the little projects I used to wish I had time to take care of, and now I can. I could do anything...why? Because I'm retired!!

The skies the limit! I am the master of my day. I could blog, read, draw, paint, try wood working, fishing, travel, volunteer, etc. It's in my power to do anything and everything my heart desires.

I decided to take up blogging. I've never been a blogger so this should be interesting and fun. I'm not even sure what exactly I want to blog about. I suppose, time will tell.

I want to enjoy this journey and see where it leads.

2019 a thing of the past; let's see what 2020 will bring

FAMILY TIMES - HAPPY TIMES

2019 was not a good year and I'm happy to see it gone.

The way to get through any bad time, is to remember the good times. Focusing on happy times with family and friends, got me through 2019.

I have Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve in the face. The trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the face to the brain. This is a rare disease with fewer than 200,000 US cases per year. Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured. You can only pray for remission.

I was first diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia back in 2014. My affliction lasted 2 1/2 months. It came on with a vengeance, I didn't know what was happening, I just knew the pain was intense. It felt as if a hot dagger was being shoved through my ear/face, again and again, for the entire 2 1/2 months.   Multiple medications were prescribed by my physician. With those medications came side affects, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, etc. I finally went into remission and stayed that way for 5+ years. 

December 12, 2018, my first pain, 5+ years later. My affliction decided to keep me company for the entire 2019. Physicians prescribed multiple medications. With each new medicine came side affects. I was up and down for the entire year, each day brought new challenges. 

I ended up taking an unexpected helicopter ride to Santa Rosa Memorial. The helicopter landed right on Portuguese Beach. Not a great way to end a beautiful day on the beach.

I also took an ambulance ride from Keysight Technology to Sutter Hospital. 

Physician's said I was dehydrated, anemic, my potassium was low. They gave me IV fluids and sent me on my merry way just to end up in The Queen of the Valley Hospital two days later. My problem; my sodium levels were dangerously low. 

My doctor said it was like drowning from the inside. My major organs weren't functioning properly. My blood pressure was dropping. This was all caused from the medications prescribed to me from my Neurologist, for the Trigeminal Neuralgia. My neurologist neglected to have any blood work done, which is an absolute must when taking anti-seizure medications. "Note to self"! 

I left 2019 and all the medications behind. I welcome 2020 and all it has to offer, as I am once again in remission. Thank you LB, family and friends for your love and support. I wouldn't have been able to get through this without each and every one of you. "I love you and Happy New Year". 

How I live my life

Do the next right thing...

Many ask, why? I respond with "Why not?" It may not be the most popular thing to do but it's the right thing to do.

If each and every one of us did the next right thing then peace would truly be on earth. I teach my grandchildren this because I believe "if" we each do our part then we can change the world.