I am a wife. A mother. A daughter. A sister. An employee. A boss. A volunteer. A board member. A friend. A neighbor. A fibro-warrior. I am also tired. And I managed to survive yet another year and yet another holiday season, though this year has been quite trying and tiring for me personally and professionally. Tired isn’t just a state of mind for me, it’s a fact of life. Living with fibromyalgia I never know from day to day how I will feel. The last few weeks my social media and blogging presence have been waning, as I have been taking a bit of a self-imposed break. I have been trying to rest physically, mentally, and spiritually.
This morning I started my day writing in my gratitude journal and drinking my coffee, sitting in a quiet and peaceful house. I realized I hadn’t taken the time to properly thank several people, as I have been #blessed recently to have won a variety of prizes from various bloggers and businesses. (Up until recently, I considered myself one of those people who never won anything!)
It started early in November when I won the grand prize gift basket at a ladies holiday event given by a local Chamber of Commerce, with a variety of prizes from local retailers and restaurants. I used some of the restaurant gift cards to bless others with meals. That prize was the result of a charitable donation I made to a local non-profit. You know what they say about the riches you receive when you give…
Next, I won one of the packages from the Chronic Illness Bloggers giveaway. So I wanted to thank Julie at Counting My Spoons and the others involved in that amazing package I won. To all involved a heartfelt THANK YOU for all of my goodies I am still discovering and trying out. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing fibromyalgia. You have to try different approaches and strategies to find what works for you. Here is the package that I won, to help me on that never-ending journey of self-help:
| Looking forward to trying some of these: Complementary & Alternative Therapies for Pain, Your Guide to Over 50 treatments for pain relief from Back Pain Blog UK |
| Tasty! 6 Pack of H-Factor Water |
| (Haven’t received yet or if I did, I can’t find where I downloaded it. 😦 )Self-Love 101 e-book (digital) |
| I wish I had this book sixteen years ago when I was diagnosed and my kids were little. But truthfully, I think this children’s book could be read by anyone to understand in the simplest terms what it’s like to have fibromyalgia. Ravyn’s Doll book signed by Melissa Swanson of Fibro Warriors Living Life |
| I have been using this for my back/hip pain: Oska Pulse |
| I am just starting this course and hoping to lose a few holiday pounds and find some new recipes. I start most days with a smoothie! Smoothie Jumpstart Course |
| (Haven’t received yet) Unlocking Lyme – by Dr. Rawls |
| (Haven’t received yet) Your choice of pattern selection from Bridgwater Crafts |
And finally, I won a handmade sign from Caitlin at Greater Than Rubies and Sarah at Tucker Up and Co. I selected the “gather here with grateful hearts” sign depicted here that I intend to give away to the local Good Samaritans food pantry (where I just joined the board). I am truly grateful to all of these wonderful ladies, bloggers, and businesses who have blessed me with these gifts.
I wanted to wrap up by saying I am not a naturally-gifted writer. Writing a blog takes time – precious time away from everything else I have going on, including staying mentally and physically fit. My priorities remain my personal health and welfare and that of my family; my career; my volunteer and organizational commitments; and then my hobbies, which include writing this blog. While I am enjoying my time to recharge, I wanted to at least end 2016 by counting my blessings and expressing my gratitude. To all reading I am also grateful for you. I wish health, happiness, joy, prosperity, and peace to you and your family for the holiday season and into the new year.
Cheers!
Cynthia
My Inspired Fibro Life 