Finding Joy with Fibromyalgia

Four simple steps to finding joy

Living with chronic condition like Fibromyalgia can be anything but joyful most days of the week. You are in pain, tired, and can be experiencing a myriad of other symptoms at any one time. And you often feel alone.

Then there’s the fact that you usually have to explain to people just what the heck Fibromyalgia Syndrome is and the fact that there is no good understanding of what causes it, thus there’s no cure as of yet. This alone can spin you into a life of social separation and loneliness.


It is widely believed that artist Frida Kahlo also would have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, if there had been that diagnosis during her time. Her art depicts chronic pain and her diaries reflect a life filled with physical and emotional pain. Yet, she continued to do what she loved, which was to paint, and toward the end of her life she turned her attention to capturing everyday existence.

“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me, too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it’s true I’m here, and I’m just as strange as you.”
Frida Kahlo

The Two Fridas, by Frida Kahlo. Image captured at the Dallas Museum of Art, March 17, 2017.
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Letter Board No. 6

Three Tips to Improve Your Monday Attitude

It’s another Monday morning. Is your morning full of dread and trepidation at another work week? Or are you full of energy and excitement at the week ahead?

Weekends are a welcome break to recharge and rest, usually with no alarm clock! They are your reward for the hard work you put in during the week at your job or in school. For me they are filled with errands and getting organized for the week ahead. Cooking, cleaning, planning, blogging, resting, and hopefully a little fun thrown in there. I like to spend a little time on Sunday preparing for my week – looking at my schedule, updating my to do lists, determining my priorities, and doing some meal prep if time allows. This allows me to go into my Monday morning mentally prepared for the week.

Continue reading “Letter Board No. 6”

Letter Board No. 5


I wrote in my January edition of “10 Things to Inspire You This Month” about how “Done is better than perfect.” Not only that, but I also believe that perfect is boring. We are all flawed human beings. We should embrace our flaws. Love your crooked smile, that mole or scar, or that little love handle. Those little flaws make you unique, wonderful, and YOU!

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Letter Board No. 4

This past week has seen some weather extremes across the country. Despite the Polar vortex that gripped parts of the country, Punxsutawney Phil came out of his hole, did not see his shadow, thereby predicting an early spring. I don’t know about you, but I don’t usually believe the Groundhog Day tradition for my weather reports. (And Phil IS usually wrong!)

Continue reading “Letter Board No. 4”
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