Dear Narey, I find reading spiritual books and bible quotes that are positive helps me get my head in gear for the day. My belief that God is ultimately in charge and has a plan for my life also gives me hope. I hope in a happy eternity. My 3 cats give me many laughs, which is good for the endorphins. A songbird chirping like his heart is bursting with joy makes me feel happy. Seeing a person being kind to another person gives me hope in the goodness that is in people. My husband's sweet help and concern lets me know he took his vows seriously...35 yrs. coming up in September. My favorite scripture quote is from Proverbs, "Trust in Lord, and lean not to your own understanding...." I say this any time my hope bucket is going low. Sometimes more than once. Now I have great hopes in this support group, because I might get help, but greater evern than that, I've found a way that I can still be useful and give help. Finally, there is something that I can give, and I no longer feel so isolated. Thanks for a great topic. Nothing I've said here is meant to offend, it's my personal answer that is honest about what gives ME hope.....

Well... I cant say I have hope... I know this will only progress.. I do have faith... and pray... my cat also gives me a bit of tender love.. they seem to sense the pain... abby will lay on my lap and lick my arm... aww...

I really think you have to be a strong person to go through what we are dealing with.. and having family and doctors clueless.. we are brave women and men....

I cry probably daily.... this is major suffering some days... are really bad... ya just have to break. from the pain... I dont have hardly any good days anymore....

I use to have a couple of days a week. where pain would be minimal... but now... it rages most of the day.... and more so in the am and in the evening....

we lost so much.... doing things we love.... our families... or some of us... its overwhelming.... hope... no.... faith.. yes... just asking the good lord to give me the strength each day to deal with the pain... hugs hun.. :)

I got hope for the first time in a long time when I sat down with my Rheumy after he outlined an exercise plan and ice 4 times a day. At first, I didn't know if it was possible but was paralyzed in my easy chair. The more I sat, the stiffer and more uncomfortable I became.

I remember getting tears in my eyes when he said "Dianna, the good days are out there"

I followed the outline. For 2 weeks it was excruciating. I came to love the ice. The exercise improved my physical response to the pain and was like a shot in the arm for my poor outlook. I must continue to have hope that the good days are out there.

I aslo enjoy nature. I love taking walks (even though I haven't done it lately). Also, I like meditating on scriptures like Is.33:24. It says in part that one day "no resident will say I am sick". When that time come it will truely be a blessing.

I HAVE TWO LABRADOR RETRIEVERS. THEY THINK EVERY MORNING IS THE BEST MORNING. EVERY MEAL IS THE BEST MEAL. I TRY TO LIVE VICARIOUSLY THROUGH THEM. THEY GET ME OUTSIDE. THEY CUDDLE WITH ME WHEN I CRY. ALSO, I ALWAYS FEEL BETTER AFTER I CLEAN MY KITCHEN SINK, EVEN IF IT'S THE ONLY THING I DO. ELLIANNA

I gave up on hope long before being diagnosed with fibro.

What gets me through the day is knowing the effect it would have on my family if I wasn't here.

I have a small glimmer when I look ahead to retirement days. But then I wonder if all this pain and increased joint pain is going to make me unbearable to live with. My husband just doesn't deserve that.

I enjoy reading the comments, tho. I've always been fascinated in what makes people go on in this world.

In case you haven't noticed, I'm a glass half-empty kinda person.

I have never lost hope.....not for a cure but for making sure I have a good and love-filled life. Each morning my two boys give me big hugs and tell me they love me. That's what keeps me going......I have to stay positive for them and let them know what we can accomplish, even with debillitating illnesses. I know I'm teaching them compassion, unconditional love and understanding.

My hope is in the Lord and his promises. Because of this, I do believe there is more to life than what we are experiencing here and now. For me, it is sad to think that we just live this life, grow old, and die, and that there is nothing more. I believe that this time in my life is temporary, and someday I will have a new body...yippee!!! I wouldn't want to spend eternity in this one :-D

There is a part of me that is still dealing with the sadness of losing my old, "normal" life. I was busy and on the go. When the sadness is overwhelming, I also think of my many blessings; and also, I am reminded of those worse off than myself.

My husband, kids and furbaby really provide me reason for hope, too. I want to be here for them, and I want to enjoy life with them.

Oh my gosh, I have really enjoyed each and every post here... so personal and moving.

An early congrats to you ,Judy, and your husband on a long and happy marriage! I also read spiritual books and (for me, a Catholic) books of saints lives. They really inspire me.

Trish and dollhouse, I just want to say, I've been horribly, horribly low, but somehow I was given renewed hope and was able to keep the reminder that nothing stays the same, and anything CAN improve. Who knows... time, a new doc, new meds, anything can change where you are right now for the better. And sharing on here really gives me a new facet of enjoyment in my days!

gr8ful2b, your user name really says it all, doesn't it? Like you, I've come to see for myself the wisdom of not being still for too long. When I read about the fascia, I learned that *it* is what stiffens by kind of gelling and hardening, and we have to exercise and stretch to keep it smooth. I stretch a lot, try not to sit or stand too long anywhere anytime, and I move when I don't want to, basially all day. It keeps me from feeling worse.

Hey, chocolate (what a pretty smile! I'll bet you cheer people up, don't you?) we can take a short walk and then SIT in nature. Just find somewhere you can walk with benches so you can just stroll and sit, and enjoy.

Ellianna, I also like getting some area clean, and just enjoying that!

What gives me hope is my family and friends! Especially my best girl friend, She keeps me real and grounded and brings me back to a happy place when I am low. Great thing to have some one important in your life! Who really does care about you and your pain.
I am blessed for that reason! Good peoples in my life.

Dollhouse, I'm also fascinated with people. Do you enjoy reading? My favorite genre is memoir, getting in the author's head. People really are so interesting!

ShowMeChar (is that for charity?) you sound VERY positive. It is really important for our children and grandchildren to see that they can help us, and lighten and brighten our lives. That is good for them. Remember that, Dollhouse; you are really GREAT for your grandson.

Sunsetzz, I totally agree with you that we aren't long for this world, and I am really looking forward to the one to come. And I, too, realize I am blessed and how much suffering there is in the world and over the history of the world is incomparable to what I have.

We do have our difficulties to deal with and they are ours, not to be minimized, but there is always someone much worse off, and then I can thank God for this life, with all it's problems and realize He does have a plan for bringing it to good.

I'm a faith girl myself, and a sappy emotional one to boot. :) When my Daddy passed away my Mommy gave me my dad's devotional book. Here's today's meditation: Sunshine is the laughter of nature. Live out in the sunshine. The sun and air are good medicine. Nature is a good nurse for tired bodies. Let her have her way with you. God's grace is like the sunshine. Let your whole being be enwrapped in the Divine spirit. Faith is the soul's breathing in of the Divine spirit. It makes glad the hearts of human beings. The Divine spirit heals and cures the mind. Let it have its way and all will be well.

I pray that I may live in the sunshine of God's spirit. I pray that my mind and soul may be energized by it.

Hugs to all :)

Cinlynn, ME TOO! I have a best friend, a soul friend and we both know we are especially blessed to have one another.

That was beautiful Carwrite, THANK YOU! Do you read your Daddy's devotional book each day? That was wonderful. (I'm sorry you've lost him)

I guess you gave me hope . All of these years I have been so stubourn with " I can do it myself " . The last few months I see now that I can't . My boyfriend and I split up about a month ago and I tried to take care of everything all by myself . I can't any more . What an eye opener . I pushed myself until I finaly found me coming to on the floor surrounded by helpful people in the grocery store . Yesterday I joined this group and read your posts . I don't know what it was specificaly . but today is the first day in months that I haven't cried . Thank you . Great , now I'm crying again . lol

Gwynneth, I'm sorry about your breakup (AND your finding yourself out on the floor at the grocery! scary!). But just keep in mind, that we need you as much as you need us and others. We are all in it together and we all need each other!

Oh, and welcome! (from a newbie, myself)