Obviously this post is a little late, as we are now in the 3rd month of 2021! I have started so many posts the last few months, only to get pulled away into something else. I am juggling some extra duties at work these days, as well as helping care for my mom after moving her across the country to be near me. So writing, painting, and other hobbies that give my life a sense of normalcy have taken a back seat.
And then 2021 has been a bit of a kick in the teeth for those of us living in Texas. Plus getting the second shot of my COVID-19 vaccine has caused a fibro-flare and perpetual exhaustion.
Even changing out my letter board has gone from weekly to monthly, or whenever I can find a few spare minutes. But here’s one from the New Year I am finally getting around to sharing.
“Every day is a fresh start…every sunrise is a new adventure.”
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New Beginnings
2020 was particularly difficult for many. The isolation, fear, sickness, and possibly loss on some levels.
2021 was looked at as a new beginning, a fresh start, a new hope for better things to come. My husband and I managed a Sunday afternoon hiking adventure with our dog back in January, that did wonders for my soul.
I believe life is what we make it. It can be a grand adventure, a life of service, a life filled with the ups and downs of having a family, or nothing at all. The beauty is we all get to choose our path.
While I didn’t choose a life of the sickness and pain of fibromyalgia, I choose how I respond to my situation. I choose my attitude, what I put in my body, how I move my body, and how I treat others.
I choose joy and happiness and empathy for others, over sorrow, and sadness, and jealousy or disdain. I choose to find some inspiration in the mundane.
New Adventures
Last year I did what was asked of everyone. I stayed home. I worked from home. I didn’t travel and limited trips out to get the essentials like groceries. I occupied my time with starting painting again, doing puzzles, reading, baking, and walking.
I took a lot of daily walks with my dog, just to get out of the house. Weather permitting, I have continued this ritual to this day.
Walking helps me clear my head, reduce my stress, enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, and strengthen my spirit and soul. And these little adventures outdoors strengthen my mind.
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Walking helps me clear my head, reduce my stress, enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, and strengthen my spirit and soul. And little did I know, these little adventures were strengthening my mind as well.
“Every time you work out, you are giving your brain a neurochemical bubble bath, and these regular bubble baths can also help protect your brain in the long term. Even a walk can start to give you those neurotransmitter and mood benefits.”
Dr. Wendy Suzuki
You can read more here and then watch her TEDTalk.
Maybe walking can be your daily adventure too. It helps to boost your mood and protect your brain.
Maybe today is the day you need a fresh start. Start with just 10 minutes. Around the block. Maybe that’s adventurous enough for one day?
What adventure do you choose for today?
Cheers!
Cynthia
My Inspired Fibro Life 
Sounds a bit like me, with constantly having too many things to do and everything else having to take a back seat. It’s exhausting, but you’ve got a lot on and swimming upstream with fibro, not to mention the extra toll with dealing with the second vaccination. How long ago was the jab? I had my first one two weeks ago and didn’t do too badly after the first day, but I know a lot of folks are finding the second more intense. I hope you ease back to baseline soon. And it’s wonderful you’re able to look after your mum, you have a very kind soul, Cynthia. I’m sure she’s glad to have you closer.
Life is what we make it – amen to that! Here’s to more adventures, more fresh starts each day. Sending gentle hugs,
Caz xx
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First vaccine was just a sore arm. I had my second vaccine 11 days ago. And I don’t think I had fully recovered from my flare from the winter weather/loss of power/long hours working that I deal with here in Texas the week before that! So I have just been extremely fatigued and sore since the second one. However, I still think this is better than getting COVID. I am hearing a lot of Lingering effects from that virus that sound a lot like fibro though.
Thanks, Caz 💜
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