Into my desert with joy and hope

It happened again.  I go about my usual business after the holidays with finding new routines and embarking upon fresh goals----even in this crazy pandemic year-----and then before I turn around right, here is Ash Wednesday! 

 Last year I did not attend church to receive ashes because of the pandemic scare.  My entire rhythm and flow of Lent were completely "off."  I did eventually get settled into my habits of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, but to tell the truth, the looming fear of Covid took center stage in my heart and mind.  

Since this past year felt SO heavy in many ways, I have decided to enter this holy season with real Christ-like joy and hope.  I am not talking about the world's superficial offerings; they are short-lived.  Rather, I am easing into my desert by asking God to grace me with the courage to strip myself of any false narrative that may be hindering me from fully embracing His love.  

The other day I was filling up ALL of my pill boxes with a plethora of meds as well as supplements for chronic migraine. As much as I feel discouraged at times and frustrated at the amount of prescriptions I need to take just to "manage" my condition, I realize I am fortunate to be able to have them available as well as to afford them. 

If I take these necessary pills and shots and do so with a grateful attitude then I am joyful in my heart and spirit. It erases the negativity that is so easy to fall into such as the feeling of being "old" and sick. (My days feeling young and healthy are pretty much gone.) Letting go of "what if I get worse and the meds will stop working someday" is a fear I must release so I can remain hopeful. Experiencing certain flare ups with a very grouchy head and body requires a strong mindset that allows me time and time again to stay strong and ride the waves until I reach the calm seashore of which I eventually do. My attitude and perspective regarding all aspects of living with chronic migraine must be respected and honored as I walk forward day by day.  

Making my spiritual journey into Lent sometimes seems like a dark unknown, but I have forty days to walk towards the Light of the Resurrection.  Each year is a new experience filled with a holy expectation of God's love and mercy.  It is joyful.  It is hopeful.  It is peaceful.  

May your special time in the desert lead you to a place of renewed faith, joy, and hope especially knowing God will give you rest and calm for your weary souls.  

 @thegracealliance

Rising Again

Our much anticipated new year is upon us, and I venture to guess we are excited to jump in and experience the exciting new possibilities that await us.  However, I believe it is safe to say that maybe we came crawling into this new year with depleted energy on so many levels.  I certainly have.  

For me, surprisingly so, January slipped by in a blur and here it is February.  It has been nearly one year since we have been stuck in this heart wrenching  pandemic mode--- a living nightmare with our deep political divide and much social unrest. While vaccinations are available now and treatment plans are in place, fresh hope is surrounding our sorrowful souls.  Yet there is SO much work to be done.   I ask myself how may I best be part of the healing story?

Living with chronic migraine continually prepares me when life gets extra confusing and spicy.  I can honestly say that my adaptability and flexibility are easier to tap into because I rely on these two important traits to maneuver through many crazy, painful, and exhausting days.  

I stretch and open up my body physically, mentally, and spiritually knowing:

1---I cannot control my environment most of the time, but I can control how I respond to it.

2---I feel "all the feelings" even when they are uncomfortable.

3---I remind myself that I cannot predict how others will respond to my thoughts or actions.

4---I adjust my boundaries according to what my body feels it can handle day by day and even hour by hour.  My chronic migraine is extremely unpredictable and unreliable but "I" am not.  It is the disease that is.  

5---It is very important to create daily time for spiritual rituals like silence, meditation, and prayer to help me stay grounded.  Moving my body gently is so helpful such as in a yoga practice and or walking outside in the fresh air.  Living near the beach is a win win in my book!

6---I trust my tribe and confide my true feelings about how I am feeling day to day.

7---I enjoy reaching out to others in the community, especially online at the present, so I can continue my advocacy work which gives me purpose for my outreach mission.

8---Accept that some days I need to rest ALL day just to reset my tired body and feel refueled once again.  This important resting IS productive.  

9---It is perfectly acceptable to grieve when situations do not turn out the way I had hoped for them to.   Life moves on. 

10----Most importantly, I do my best to live with joyful gratitude for all of my blessings.

These tidbits not only help me to cope day to day but they also help me gain a perspective in coping with some of the larger life issues we still face at the present.  Maybe some of these insights might resonate with you.  I hope so.

I try and offer others heartfelt grace and then give myself some too.  New year, new opportunities to help one another in the healing process as our reality with separated physical contact continues.  In the words of author, Glennon Doyle, "we can do hard things."   Yes, we can!!