Feeling Pretty "Normal" These Days
I started my first day of volunteering at the Joshua Tree branch library yesterday and I think it's going to be a nice adventure. The County only requires 2 hours per week, so I'll be working Thursdays from 10-12. I may add more hours since summer is here in the high desert and pretty soon it will be too hot to do much of anything outside. I do want to leave a few days free in case I'd like to make a drive to the local mountains to have some hiking time in cooler temperatures.
Needless to say, I am feeling pretty "normal" these days and have had very few IBS and/or Fibro symptoms. I truly believe it is because I have finally forced myself to stop having anxiety, anger, worry, depression over the fact that I am unemployed and that our retirement financial future hangs in the balance. I am totally living in the NOW and my body seems to have healed. It's very mysterious and miraculous at the same time.
I might add that I have been working on Dr. Howard Schubiner's Mind/Body program and I'm also trying to be faithful to meditation and yoga. I have examined some very painful issues from my childhood and I believe this has helped me release some demons from my subconscious. Overall, I am feeling very healthy and I have a lot of optimism about my life.
My next goal is to find a way to deal with stress so that I might be able to go back to work, should the economy ever turn around. I do need 3 more years of CalPERS service credit in order to be able to apply for a retirement benefit when I turn 55. Granted, this benefit won't be very large, however it is a benefit that I could potential collect for the rest of my life. It is something I do need to strive for eventually. However, I need to learn to deal with stress so that it doesn't manifest into these physical symptoms.
Needless to say, I am feeling pretty "normal" these days and have had very few IBS and/or Fibro symptoms. I truly believe it is because I have finally forced myself to stop having anxiety, anger, worry, depression over the fact that I am unemployed and that our retirement financial future hangs in the balance. I am totally living in the NOW and my body seems to have healed. It's very mysterious and miraculous at the same time.
I might add that I have been working on Dr. Howard Schubiner's Mind/Body program and I'm also trying to be faithful to meditation and yoga. I have examined some very painful issues from my childhood and I believe this has helped me release some demons from my subconscious. Overall, I am feeling very healthy and I have a lot of optimism about my life.
My next goal is to find a way to deal with stress so that I might be able to go back to work, should the economy ever turn around. I do need 3 more years of CalPERS service credit in order to be able to apply for a retirement benefit when I turn 55. Granted, this benefit won't be very large, however it is a benefit that I could potential collect for the rest of my life. It is something I do need to strive for eventually. However, I need to learn to deal with stress so that it doesn't manifest into these physical symptoms.
Replies
It is amazing the benefit we receive when willing to tackle the \'issues\' and begin \'cleaning our house\'.
Keep up the terrific effort and enjoy your success!!!
:-) Patricia
Mare, I am so proud of you for your hard work in overcoming issues from your past. I admire your optimistic outlook as anxiety and depression can surely bring you down and make your fibro symptoms so much worse. I am much like you and worry about the future and our retirement. However, I know that me working is not in the cards and that I need to find a way to get past that guilt. It is so frustrating knowing that I am educated and all of that is going to \"waste\".
Sheesh, I didn\'t mean to sound depressing! Sorry!! I do hope that you are able to meet your goal and go back to work to complete the criteria for retirement!! That would be awesome!! Your determination and hard work will pay off and I know that you will be a success!!! :)
Love, Wave
Thanks Patricia and Wave! I am so glad I found DS because I\'ve made some great friends and it\'s help me connect to those with similar challenges. I am very excited about how good I\'m feeling lately and I am going to focus on making it permanent! Love to you both! :-)