Freedom

Born to be free...

* Climb mountains, not for the world to see, but to see the world *

When you are free from your fears,
Free from worry,

It's like standing at the edge of a cliff, and below is a clear pool so blue and pristine.
You want to jump off the cliff into the pool and there is nothing stoping you.

You are thrilled.
You know there is nothing holding you back.
You stretch your hands outwards like an eagle spreading her wings..
And you take the leap of faith.

You know that at the bottom of the cliff is acomplishment.
You know that you will not get hurt.
You are sure that no matter what, you will get out unscathed but totally renewed..

You feel the wind, your eyes are closed..
Then you focus your sight and align your body..
And finally you pierce the water and break through beneath the surface..
The water is cool but it feels invigorating
The adrenaline powers your entire body and you swim through the water like a dolphin.

Then you rise to the surface and swim to the edge..
You look back and feel the entire experience all again.
And you smile.. You have done it and it feels good to accomplish a mission.

And now you cannot help but store that feeling deep in your soul..
Because one day you will need to remember this moment and face the challenges ahead.

As you power through life,
Adrenaline and faith propelling you..
That is when you realise that you have experienced the most elemental form of freedom.

Free from fear.
Free from guilt.
Free from negativity.
Free as God intended it to be..

This is Serenity...

More reads:
※  The aftermath...
※  Wild by Nature
※  RISING ABOVE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES...
※  Recovery of the body: Mind and Spirit
※  You are loved
※  Love and faith....

Image credit: youtube.com

Volcano: The Story of a Fire Queen

The Story of a Fire Queen

On the outside, her time seems past.
As she lies dormant only her past glory is visible,
Centuries old; yet they still reckon her deadly potential should she awake,..
Should she believe in herself and realize her potential, nothing can stop her!!
Some take advantage and dig into her ~ extracting all preciousness from her belly
"She is asleep..", they say.
They search for greener pastures as they exhaust and destroy her remaining beauty..
But the fire still burns.. The currents still move her..
Slowly she expands and flexes her muscles..
Then she gives subtle signs that are easily ignored..
Then she makes a move and signals the birds of the air, telling them to nest elsewhere...
The currents shift her.. And she dances to their tune; no warning ~ no music
Her moves shake the earth... They colour the sky...
She is awake;
New gown; new jewels
She rewrites her history
Those who thought her asleep rewrite their tragedies

Related articles:  

※  Effective force versus Brutal force
※  Rise up...
※  Marching on..
※  Memoirs of an imperfect beauty: Cuts and Blisters
※  Goals and Passions
※ When You Believe....

Image credit : succubolilith.deviantart.com

Life beyond pain..

Its never easy.
But its ok.

* If the path before you is clear, you’re probably on someone else’s path.*

The power of your words..  
Learn to bless your future.
You can predict your future by the words you utter today. Learn to name your future with positive and flourishing words; words that spur growth and trigger forward movement.
Despite the current circumstances, keep the faith.

**There is victory in the end if you come to agreement with it.**

In the natural it will seem impossible; but we are told that when we badly want something the universe conspires for it to come to pass.

So how does the universe know what to conspire for?
By the words you speak.
By the faith you profess.
By the thoughts in your head.
If you aspire for light even in dark times, light will come.

Faith... Trust... Belief...
All in the words you utter.

*Be careful for what you wish for; you may just get it!!*

Even in our moments of failure we get second chances.
If you are alive despite all you have gone through then be assured that you have not fulfilled your divine destiny and God will not allow you to go yet. 

The number of your days He will fulfill. Even if you are on the wrong course, He will come in and drag you back to the right track, kicking and screaming, open doors no man can shut, shut doors no man can open and give you abundant grace to fulfill your life.

This whole process will be fulfilling if you just get in agreement with God. He has a bright future for you.

Now speak it; bring your faith to life.
And act like a victor and not a victim.

Slowly but surely, you will see things turn around.

Despite the grace promised by God, remember He does not interfere with our free will.

So if you choose to be sour on your life...so shall your future be sour.
It is literally a choice we make.
To be hopeful or to be hopeless.
To be convicted and forgiven, or to be condemed for life.

Your words express what is in your heart...your faith.
Practice daily to believe in good even when in the natural it looks bad.

Sometimes we feel like we have really blown it and cannot get another chance. Well, we cannot do anything about the past but surely we have the power to do something about the future.

We are promised that our power is defined by His grace..
Get in agreement with God and harness your power.!!

***This is Serenity***

※  Butterfly thoughts
※  Understand the fire
※  Self appreciation; The journey towards self reconstruction
※  Escape (Megan Nicole)
※  You are loved
※   Recovery of the body: Mind and Spirit

****

(Image credit: tinybhudda.com)

Escape (Megan Nicole)

"Escape" by MEGAN NICOLE

Run run run away
Meet me in our hiding place
Find me where we'll make our escape

Come come come away
We don't need them anyway
Find me where we'll make our escape

Slow it down
Cause I can't breathe
So much noise
That I can't see

I'm forgetting
Who I am
Why can't they see
That I'm not perfect

Cause I'll never be
What they want me to be
I have to believe
That I'm good enough

I need a release
Somewhere I can be free
And find the me
I used to know

So I'm going back
To the place it began
Under the tree
At the top of the hill

We'd share all our dreams
Or not say a word
That's where I know
Just who I am

Lay with me
Just be still
Feel it all
Disappear
Disappear

Now I'm letting go
And won't put on a show
I finally believe
That I'm good enough

You made me strong
To know all along
I am the me
I used to know

So I'm going back
To the place it began
Under the tree
At the top of the hill

We'd share all our dreams
Or not say a word
That's where I know
Just who I am

So I'm going back
To the place it began
Under the tree
At the top of the hill

We'd share all our dreams
Or not say a word
That's where I know
Just who I am

Run run run away
Meet me in our hiding place
Find me where we'll make our escape

Come come come away
We don't need them anyway
Find me where we'll make our escape

So I'm going back
To the place it began
Under the tree
At the top of the hill

We'd share all our dreams
Or not say a word
That's where I know
Just who I am

So I'm going back
To the place it began
Under the tree
At the top of the hill

We'd share all our dreams
Or not say a word
That's where I know
Just who I am

Run run run away
Meet me in our hiding place
Find me where we'll make our escape

More Related:

※  Rather be
※  ONE STEP AT A TIME
※  If Today Was Your Last Day
※  Firework
※  Perfect
※   Voice of Abigail

Stay updated by signing up for more posts or bookmarking us and visit our Facebook page .

Image credit: limitlesslyrics.com

Fibromyalgia: Feeling the Funk

lifewithfibro.blogspot.com

When the funk hits..
And you feel like nothing is worth it..
Remember..its just a funk..
The beat will stop at some point..
And life will go back to normal..

Through out my journey with fibromyalgia, I have learned to deal with the "hills and valleys". There are times I could go for months leading a very normal pain-free life then the funk hits...and you feel like you are now in a valley. The funk can be triggered by an illness flare or extreme mental stress. 

Feeling the funk..
It starts with a serious fatigue episode.
Sometimes it starts with serious migraines or deep muscle pain.
Then the brain fog and memory burden (when its an uphill task to remember simple things).
Then the episodes of pain.. On and off and all over.
It can last anything from a week to a month straight on. 

Sometimes it's confusing, with bouts of flu-like symptoms, fevers, chills, high white blood cell count as if i have an infection... 

Gastric issues, nausea, lack of appetite... Just being weird and sickly at the same time yet there is nothing visibly wrong.

The funk is usually unpredictable but it can be anticipated. After a highly stressful episode like an illness or an inter-relational conflict, you can anticipate some funk. The sooner you start dealing with it, the sooner it will lift. Do not rush the process though. Let it run its course as you employ the coping mechanisms listed below.

Coping in the funk.. 

°Eat well..
Most times during a fibro funk, I experience severe appetite loss.
This can cause you to be extremely fatigued and experience weakness.
This makes everything worse.. The pain and brain fog seem to tripple when my appetite is down.
I have a food journal and set reminders on my phone to alert me every couple of hours to have a meal/snack. (supplements come in handy... A meal replacement shake helps keep the nutrition balanced).

°Nutritional supplements
I have learned to stay on top of my nutritional supplements game especially during a flare "funk".
~B vitamins help in stabilizing the neuro pathways and this has a co-relation with sensitivity to pain.
- Magnesium is very handy in helping cope with sensitivity to pain.
- Zinc helps boost immunity so you are less susceptible to opportunistic infections, especially if eating is a problem.
- Protein shakes/mass gain/meal replacement shakes help in maintaining your nutritional levels even if for some reason you cannot eat. A tasty milkshake or smoothie or even ice popsicle will help provide nutritional comfort food when you need it.

°Take time off and relax..
Despite the tight schedules we all have, take some time off and relax.
A fibro flare "funk" can cause you to feel more burdened in life, especially if you have a lot going on.
- Relax even if for just 15 minutes a day. Listen to uplifting material and avoid depressive music or literature. Fill your mind with positivity and light.

-. Relaxation techniques help with coping with the funk mentally.
- If you exercise you can reduce the intensity or give it a break. This reduces the physical burden your body has to carry.
-Take advantage of your free time and relax. Switch off your phone and just zone off. 

°Manage the pain..
- You can see your GP for short term pain therapies that you can use to manage the pain.
- If possible get a deep tissue massage to help relax the muscles.
- Whenever you can, get a good sleep.
Its normal to experience insomnia during a funk. Before bed, a good self massage or stretch can help induce sleep. Avoid sleeping pills - unless you haven't slept for 2 days or more. 

°You are not depressed..
A fibro funk can leave someone feeling emotionally tired or feeling the weight of the world.
Remember, you are not depressed. This is a physical issue that will go away with proper management.
Your physician may prescribe medicine to help combat depression but remember..fibromyalgia and the ailments that affect your neuro-pathways are closely related.
You are not dealing with depression.
You are dealing with a flare up. It will definately cause more stress. Remember the relaxation techniques and rest as much as possible.

°You are not lazy..

Also, you are not lazy. A week off from normal routine should not make you feel bad or guilty about not being your best..you are already doing the best you can.

Most of all, stick to routine as much as possible. Go to work even if its half day. Go to class. Perform your chores even if you are much slower than usual. 

www.iainclaridge.co.uk

°You need to keep on moving..

A sedentary lifestyle makes everything.worse. Keep moving. You are much closer to recovery when you stick to your plan..even if you took a day off. Make up for it the next day.
The moment you toss your plans out of the window you will have a harder time picking up the pieces once the funk lifts.You will end up with a form of atrophy.. And that, will make your days worse..

(Atrophy; (of body tissue or an organ) waste away, typically due to the degeneration of cells, or become vestigial during evolution. Or, the gradual decline in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect)

More reads:

※  Chronic fatigue syndrome
※  INFLAMMATION: A SMALL PEEK AT WHAT MAKES US FEEL PAIN
※  About Fibromyalgia: What on earth is FIBROMYALGIA?
※  Mental illness: what is it?
※  Depression: Is it really genetic?
※   Sleep deprivation

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Image: blogs.pros.org

 Feeling tired all the time.
You wake up and feel tired.
You go to bed still tired. Even in your dreams you are tired.
And it does not go away...even after sleeping an entire weekend. 

 Chronic fatigue syndrome

A disease characterized by profound fatigue, sleep abnormalities, pain, and other symptoms that are made worse by exertion.

The fatigue is not due to ongoing exertion, not relieved much by rest, and is not caused by other medical conditions ~ meaning it is not due to pushing your boundaries a couple of times, nor as a result of getting sick for a short while.

Severity can vary: Some persons with CFS lead relatively normal lives; others are totally bed-ridden and unable to care for themselves.

Fibromyalgia occurs in a large percentage of CFS patients between onset and the second year, and some researchers suggest fibromyalgia and CFS are related.

Symptoms (lasting 6 months or longer)

￠The main symptom is fatigue for over six months which is unrelated to exertion, is not substantially relieved by rest, and is not a result of other medical conditions.
The fatigue often worsens with activity, but doesn't improve with rest.

￠Widespread muscle pain (myalgia) and joint pain (arthralgia).

￠Chronic and severe mental and physical exhaustion.

￠Headaches of a type not previously experienced - unusually painful or does not respond to usual pain medication.

Additional symptoms
Additional symptoms may be reported, including:
*muscle weakness
*increased sensitivity to light sounds and smells
*problems standing up
*digestive disturbances
depression
*painful and often slightly swollen lymph nodes

Why visit your doctor
It is recommended that persons with symptoms resembling those of CFS consult a physician to rule out several treatable illnesses:

*Lyme disease
*sleep disorder
*major depressive disorder
*alcohol/substance abuse
*diabetes
*hypothyroidism
*mononucleosis (mono)
*lupus
*multiple sclerosis (MS)
*chronic hepatitis and various malignancies.
*Medications that can also cause side effects that mimic symptoms of Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Management:

** Many people do not fully recover from CFS even with treatment.**

￠ Cognitive behavioral therapy: which tries to help patients understand their individual symptoms and beliefs and develop strategies to improve day-to-day functioning and is thought to help patients by eliminating unhelpful illness beliefs which may perpetuate the illness.

￠Exercise: Graded exercise therapy
** exercise therapy is not a cure for CFS

Randomized trials found that patients who received exercise therapy were less fatigued after 12 weeks than the control participants, and the authors cautiously conclude that GET shows promise as a treatment.

￠Pacing
Pacing is an energy management strategy (based on the observation that symptoms of the illness tend to increase following minimal exertion).
The principle behind pacing is to avoid over-exertion and an exacerbation (to make worse) of symptoms.
It is not aimed at treating the illness as a whole.
Those whose illness appears stable may gradually increase activity and exercise levels but according to the principle of pacing, must rest if it becomes clear that they have exceeded their limits.

￠Other
Medications thought to have promise in alleviating symptoms include antidepressant and immunomodulatory agents.
However many CFS patients are sensitive to medications, particularly sedatives, and some patients report chemical and food sensitivities.
Multivitamin and multimineral supplements are thought to help relieve various symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Social issues:

A study found that CFS patients report a heavy psychosocial burden and state that they struggle for recognition of their needs.
Individuals with CFS may receive a poorer quality of social support than in those with other illnesses.

*Some in the medical community do not recognize CFS as a real condition, nor is there agreement on its prevalence.

More reads:  
※  Sleep deprivation
※  About Fibromyalgia
※  INFLAMMATION: A SMALL PEEK AT WHAT MAKES US FEEL PAIN
※  MEDICINES - Brand leaders and Generics,
※  Mental illness: what is it?
※  Athletic Steroids: a.k.a Anabolic Androgenic Steroids

Sources:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_fatigue_syndrome

Rather be - song by Clean Bandit tf Jess Glynne

Clean Bandit "Rather Be" lyrics

※ When I am with you, there's no place I rather be ※ 

We're a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea
But as long as you are with me, there's no place I rather be
I would wait forever, exulted in the scene
As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat

With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, gave you another name
Switch up the batteries

If you gave me a chance I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shame me
When I am with you, there's no place I rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I rather be

We staked out on a mission to find our inner peace
Make it everlasting so nothing's incomplete
It's easy being with you, sacred simplicity
As long as we're together, there's no place I rather be

With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, gave you another name
Switch up the batteries

If you gave me a chance I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shame me
When I am with you, there's no place I rather be

If you gave me a chance I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shame me
When I am with you, there's no place I rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I rather be

More reads:  
※ ONE STEP AT A TIME
※  Perfect - song by Pink
※  Firework (song by Katy Perry)
※  "If Today Was Your Last Day" - Nickelback

Stay updated by signing up for more posts or bookmarking us and visit our Facebook page .

Butterfly thoughts...

crestock.com

Every butterfly starts off as a worm..
Every peacock starts off as a yolk..
The difference between the start and the end is the transformation that takes place.

Wormy thoughts...

The Bible teaches that we should be "transformed by our thinking".

Naturally, unless trained to move towards the positive, our minds will tend to gravitate towards the negative.
This is especially so because life ever has its boxing gloves on - there is never a day without a challenge no matter how positive we are about it.
What determines the end result is how we handle the challenges that come our way. 

It was never meant to be easy...
That is why we are encouraged to train our minds, so to speak. 

Unless we decide to dwell on positive thoughts, life can beat us down even in our achievem

ents. Discontentment will follow us everywhere we go no matter how high we rise.

Butterfly mentality...
Instead of living with a "barely-get-by" mentality, always fill your head with positive thoughts.
When you are tempted to feel like a worm, always remember that..

You are blessed
You are talented
You are valuable
You are confident
You have been hand-picked by the Creator of the universe.

deviantart.net

※ Reprograming of the mind..
This is not just a way to overcome one challenge.
When you think positively, you are reprogramming your mind - opening doors you never thought existed.

When you gain confidence on yourself, you get the confidence to turn things around...

Like...
※ walking out of a bad situation.
※ Saying no when you know you are being exploited.
※ Chasing a business deal that seems out of your league.
※ Approach a very respected person and ask for advice without feeling like a failure..
The list is endless..

As long as you are stuck in the "worm" mentality, your mind will only think on how to get by...not how to get there.

A worm is stuck on the ground.. It can only see as far as it is..the ground. Some cannot even see...so they just get by., so to speak.
A butterfly is in the air and will get to see something that is far from it, spread its wings and get there.

**Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go through immense darkness and emerge immensely beautiful**

 

That is what transformation does for us.. You see something that seemed so far off, but you are not scared to reach for it. You believe thay you have it in you to fly there and get there.

This does not happen overnight, its a day-to-day process. And it all starts in the mind.

You may find yourself asking about a particular subject...say about getting someone to finance a project..and the person tells you how you can expand your business without even borrowing!!
Had you not had the courage and confidence to speak up, you would never have landed on that secret.

*Confidence is never about being better than everyone else... Its the secret knowledge that you have the capacity to outdo yourself.*

Confidence can help you think farther than you can see.

They say you always get what you look for...so when you set your mind on a certain goal you will find ways of getting there.
But as long as you believe you can never achieve it, you will not have even a single clue come your way.

colorslive.com

Start each day knowing that...
You are blessed
You are talented
You are valuable
You are confident
You have been hand-picked by the Creator of the universe.

Then go through the day believing that.
Five months down the line, you will be amazed by the result of such a simple exercise.
One year down the line you will be on the lips of all and sundry, and everyone will look to you for inspiration.

It all starts today...

Transform your mind. 

 This is Serenity...

More reads..  

※  You are loved
※  Effective force versus Brutal force
※  The power of Purpose!!
※  Self promotion is not self glorification
※  Sexual violence: A disgrace to society claiming to be civilized
※   For my family and friends; From a crazy animal lover

You are not alone..

When the shadows are closing in
And your spirit diminishing
Just remember You're not alone
And love will be there To guide you home ~ Mariah Carrey

Through this journey of life, I have discovered that the only thing worse than going through an adversity, is going through it ALONE..

Thankfully (or not) I have learned that there is someone who has experienced what you may be struggling with.I have discovered numerous support groups both online and offline and they consist of individuals who are going through it, have gone through it or have helped someone go through it.

Like I said, the mind is a really dark place,especially when you feel all alone..in a world where everyone else seems to have it together. 

I know how it feels like to envy the dead; at least they dont have a lonesome world to deal with... Or so I thought.

It is by interacting with other people that I discovered that we all go through our fifteen minutes of turbulence. Even my role models have confessed to experiencing some really dark times I wondered how they made it through...

The best part about life is that there is always someone who is willing to offer a shoulder to lean on - I believe everyone has that fibre to help someone cope with something.
Problem is that some few individuals have learned to take advantage of our humanity. This has made many of us sceptical to every sorry case we encounter, but it doesnt mean that the fibre to help is not there.

Another thing, everyone hates ~ leeches even people who leech on others hate leeches!!

But I need help... Without looking like a leech...
You will get help.God opens doors. Most of these doors involve meeting someone who will help you at your point of need.

I have read of many people struggling with depression that is so crippling but they put on a mask; not even their closest friends know they are suffering... It is sad. 
We are wired to need each other.When we help someone heal, we also heal.

Highways to healing...Are so many. 

In my initial recluse phase, i was big on facebook...and I came across numerous groups that offer support both for medical and emotional health.

Through the facebook grapevine I found about lots of books and blogs that address these issues, both from personal and professional perspectives.

The main point of this article is...

*You are not alone. 
*No matter what you are going through someone has been there and is VERY WILLING to hold your hand. 
*It is VERY OK to grieve for some time.*No matter how bleak it looks there is always a dawn for every dark cold night. *Most importantly, God knows what you are going through. You only need to reach out.
*You don't need a perfect eloquent prayer...even tears alone suffice for a real prayer for help.
*No matter how you feel... Always tell God that you trust Him to take care of you...even if you have no clue of what to expect.
*ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL FOR THE LITTLE ANSWERS AND HELP that God favours you with. 

￠Never go through life's difficulties thinking you are alone. 
￠Never go through life being against yourself. 
￠Always thank God for what you have survived; as far as God is concerned, you are a WINNER in His book.

(I have some videos by Joel Osteen ministries that can further help you understand that your best days are ahead of you, no matter what. You can stream or download them from here...)

Related articles:  
※  Visions and destiny 
※  Effective force versus Brutal force
※  Stuff that rule us
※  Love and faith
※  Learn to let go
※  Recovery of the body: Mind and Spirit

Stay updated by signing up for more posts or bookmarking us and visit our Facebook page
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Rise up...

Rise up....
Don't falling down again...
I tried to fly, a while, So high... Direction sky!! ~ Yves Larock

Walk by faith - not by sight!

So the world shook, rumbled and finally split into two... And there was nothing I could do about it.. Not one thing!!
And thus when the dust has settled, its time to raise my ashen self and rise.

I say this because it took a while before 100% of the reality would sink in.
We can only handle so much, so we take it in one piece at a time.
Sadly, each piece is no less painfull than the other, nor easier to handle.

Unmerited favour..
This is where GRACE comes in.
Favour that you have not earned, nothing like a harvest... Just immense kindness from Heaven.
It is unmerited because no works on this earth can earn anyone grace. You don't need a certain qualification or history... It is yours to receive; and it is often revealed when we need it the most but don't expect it.

Grace gives us strength one instance at a time. When strange doors open and opportunities spring up from nowhere... And you cannot explain it..
When you are hit hard by a certain realization, but are able to accept it and despite the pain, you have the strength to move forward.. I call that grace.

When does grace really set in?

Honestly, I have no idea.
All I know, I just had faith. Like yeah... Just faith!!
Those moments you cannot even sleep because you are so weary, too weary to work, too weary to even eat... they were many.
Since I was not dead (yet) I grasped at the last thing left... intense belief that everything will be alright.

Nothing like it seems...
No... I was not smiling while picking daisies when all I had was faith...

It was hard.
So hard, my whole body hurt. My soul hurt. My spirit wept.. And I wished I was dead.
But since I was not dead, and did not really want to die yet, I had to find something to live for.. A hope for some goodness yet to be experienced. A hope for sunshine..

That is when I experienced grace...

Where kindness was shown to me by those around me.
My immediate needs were met, thankfully.
Even though some people close to me would say unkind things, more would listen and encourage me.
Those I did not expect to see my pain went out of their way to help me without labelling me...
... In short, prayers I had not even made were being answered. I was being met at my point of need.

And slowly, the restoration was revealed. As the dust settled, opportunitied became visible..
And stumbling blocks lay covered in dust. Those things that would have deviated me from my destiny were revealed as covered in dust.
Portraits of people I no longer needed were cracked and covered in ash. I could not understand why, but I did not question it either.

Deep tranquility took over.
I no longer had the need to prove a point. What had happened could not be undone. I accepted that.

There was a lot that could be done the right way... I accepted that too.

The best part was to know that I am not alone, and that He walks with me.

No rituals, just life and His love manifests. That I could go to Him in tears and end up hopeful, serene and optimistic despite having no clue of what to do next.

I do not mean blind faith... just faith where you know something is bound to happen but you just don't know how its going to happen .... but its going to happen..

I still cannot explain it.. it still gives me joy to know that I can relax and let life be.

We plant the seeds, but God makes the plants grow..

We can have the plans but it is He who grows them to the point of bearing fruits. I guess that explains where faith comes in.

Let the creator take care of you, allow Him to flourish you... For the plans He has for you are good; plans to prosper you and make you bountiful. To build you and not to destroy you.

I guess sometimes we have to be shaken a little to know where to look in the future.

This is Serenity..

Life is beautiful 

***

From strength to strength...
Temporary Unlikely Diamonds.
Of anchors and tugboats..
Say no to...

***

Image credit; homespashop.com

Marching on..

From strength to strength...

￠Keep your victories subtle, lest they find out the depth of your despair. Shout not from the peak: or it will be known you rose from a low altitude.
No. Not me..
Like a volcano.. I rise Only higher and higher, and I don't care who sees what..

Often, a tale of victory is accompanied with a harrowing tale of the rise from the ashes. Rarely does victory come on its own; it has a predecessor.. Tribulation.
If you wish to hide your tribulation, then you have not known victory... The constant battle rages; shame of the ashes or pride of the conquest..

~~~~

I believe that a majority of us have known anguish, and the subsequent victory. I have. I don't have a medal yet, but I have a smile to show.

The weird part is that, the entire war was against myself, beliefs and fears. And deep pain that felt numb.

Ego versus ego!
The hardest battles are for the self, against the self; Ego versus ego!

We can fight another person without much effort because we are wired to love ourselves first.

But, there are times we are our own worst enemies... Especially when the Esteem is so low, it just smoulders like spent charcoal. This is when we let others define who we are and thus the battle starts.. You versus You.

Everyone is here for a unique and divine purpose.

Whatever we think of others can never over-ride their purpose here.

But then, there are those who have gone through so much pain in their lives, they learn to switch off all feelings and thus exist as robots, and strive to dominate, as a server would dominate a network.

The problem is that they write down a program for those they seem fit for it, then fight and knock them into a pulp then mould them as they want..just like a child playing with clay..

And it is only natural to resist this.
Even in submission, we still resist. We fight the part of us that has submitted., and because it fears, it fights back. Therein starts the constant storm inside, it dampens even the liveliest of spirits and paralyzes with sheer force.

So, how do you win?
By dealing with the most powerful but most overlooked enemy; fear!

We are manipulated because we fear.
We are dejected because we wish for different circimstances while fearing things can get worse.

Fear is how we fall; confusing what is real.

You only get over something by going through it; instead of wiping away the memory, face it, accept it and you will find what you fear most about that episode.. Is it rejection, poverty,loneliness, malice.?

If we do not deal with these fears, they will cripple us and we will start this cycle in the lives of others just to gratify ourselves; when you make others suffer just to forget your own pain..

Or we will have a withered existence; frail and vulnerable to even the most basic forces of life..

Or, we can rise from strength to strength. 

Life is a cryptic puzzle. Nothing is ever direct. 

Learn to focus on the top-most peak you wish to rise, but also, appreciate the rise by realizing you were in a valley, and you can only go higher.. From strength to strength..

This is Serenity.
Life is Beautiful 

****

※   Learn to let go..
※  The power of Purpose!!
※  YOU ARE IMPORTANT
※  Self appreciation; The journey towards self reconstruction
※  Recovery of the body: Mind and Spirit
※ Firework (song by Katy Perry)
****

Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation (Part 1): Causes and Effects

Sleep deprivation is the condition of not having enough sleep ; it can be
either chronic or acute . A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness and weight loss or weight gain. 

Sleep deprivation may result in the following conditions:

wikimedia.org

aching muscles

confusion, memory lapses or loss

depression

development of false memory

hallucinations

hand tremor

headaches

malaise

stye

periorbital puffiness , commonly known as. "bags under eyes" or eye bags

increased blood pressure

increased stress hormone levels

increased risk of diabetes

increased risk of +fibromyalgia

irritability

nystagmus (rapid involuntary rhythmic eye movement)

obesity

seizures

temper tantrums in children

yawning

mania

May cause symptoms similar to:
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
psychosis 

In a study at UCSD school of Medicine, sleep deprivation was seen to cause the brain to compensate when the individuals were asked to perform simple tasks. This means that the brain was working twice as hard in order to process simple daily tasks. 

Extended sleep deprivation will inevitably result in microsleep.

Microsleeps occur when the brain automatically shuts down, falling into a sleep state for a period that can last from a fraction of a second up to half a minute.

The person falls asleep no matter what activity he or she is engaged in.

Microsleeps are similar to blackouts and a person experiencing them is not consciously aware that they are occurring.

Weight gain/ weight loss

In rats, prolonged, complete sleep deprivation increased both food intake and energy expenditure with a net effect of weight loss and ultimately death.

This study hypothesizes that the moderate chronic sleep debt associated with habitual short sleep is associated with increased appetite and energy expenditure with the equation tipped towards food intake rather than expenditure.

The findings suggest that this might be happening because sleep deprivation could be disrupting hormones that regulate glucose metabolism and appetite.

Causes of sleep deprivation:

♣ Insomnia

Many of its symptoms are easily recognizable, including

※ excessive daytime sleepiness ;
※ frustration or worry about sleep;
※ problems with attention, concentration, or memory;
※ extreme mood changes or irritability; 

※ lack of energy or motivation; 

※ poor performance at school or work;
※ tension headaches or stomach aches.

♣ Voluntary sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation can sometimes be self-imposed due to a lack of desire to sleep or the habitual use of stimulant drugs.

Sleep deprivation is also self-imposed to achieve personal fame in the context of record-breaking stunts. 

♣ Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea (obstructive sleep apnea) is a collapse of the upper airway during sleep, which reduces airflow to the lungs.

It has many serious health outcomes if untreated, but can very often be effectively treated with positive air pressure therapy.

Central sleep apnea is repeated stops in breathing during sleep when the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing.

♣ Mental illness/ bi-polar disorder

Shifts into mania in bipolar patients are often preceded by periods of insomnia, and sleep deprivation has been shown to induce a manic state in susceptible individuals.

Sleep deprivation may represent a
final common pathway in the genesis of mania, and sleep loss is both a precipitating and reinforcing factor for the manic state.

♣ School life:

Sleep deprivation is common in first year college students as they adjust to the stress and social activities of college life.

School schedules are often incompatible with a corresponding delay in sleep offset, leading to a less than optimal amount of sleep for the majority of adolescents. 

♣ Work:

people who do shift work disrupt their sleep-wake cycles on a regular basis. Frequent travellers (for example, airline crew) also tend to have erratic sleeping patterns.

Suggestions on how to get more sleep include:

 

※ Purposefully go to bed earlier each night.

※ Don’t smoke or drink alcoholic or caffeinated beverages in the hours before bedtime.

※ Improve your sleeping environment in any way you can – for example, keep it dark and sound-proof, turn off lights and wear earplugs if you have noisy neighbours.

※ Don’t have any distractions in the bedroom such as TV or a computer.

※ Use relaxation techniques to help you fall asleep quickly.

※ Seek professional assistance for sleep disorders such as snoring.

※ Find ways to improve sleeping habits for you and your baby or child.

※ Sleeping Pills & Natural Sleep Aids: 

source:
en.www.wikipedia.org
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
http://www.helpguide.org

 Related articles:  

※  Prescription drugs, OTC drugs and those in between

※  MEDICINES - Brand leaders and Generics, what is the difference?

※  Biotin: The B-Vitamin for healthy nails, youthful skin and great hair

※  HEADACHES: migraines, cluster headaches and what they are about.

※  About Fibromyalgia

※   Enzyme depletion and food storage; what we miss from seed to plate

           

Little joys in life...

The mighty sea cannot sink a ship unless its waters get inside the ship; likewise, all the negativity around you has no power to sink you, unless you let it seep into your spirit - Anon

One thing life has taught me is that, happiness comes from the heart.
Joy is a first-party accessory and you can never acquire it from someone else.

Another is that little bundles of joy cannot be enjoyed unless there is a pre-existing component for of joy. Much like making yogurt - you need some bacteria to produce more bacteria to create your yogurt!!

You cannot find happiness where there is none, you have to be willing to be happy before something else makes you happy.
You cannot enjoy life if you cannot recognize bundles of joy for what they are; JOY!!

A newborn baby is often reffered as a bundle of joy, not because they brought joy to the household, but because they ADDED to the list of joys in that home. For a baby to be a delight, the parents must first be delighted already.

If you hook up with someone, hoping that THEY will make you happy, you will only suck out the joy in them and you end up as one miserable pair.

On the other hand, if you meet someone and develop a relationship, being happy with yourself, you will inevitably spread that joy into that person's life and they will glow like a light bulb - this applies to all relationships- why we marry, why we have children, why we adopt pets - all relationships we form should not be motivated for the SELF.

It is more pleasurable when a relationship is developed for anything but the self - when the only true reason you hang out with this other entity is just joy.

Life and its wake-up calls...
Life is funny - things that are best for us are given subtly; most often they do not seem important, until they are taken away from us..

I call them wake-up calls. They are the rude reminders of the things we take for granted, or we think are useless.

When they go, we imagine that its good riddance.. Hardly mourn.. Until something goes wrong and we begin to understand the important role they played..

But we are talking about joys..

So, live life to the fullest.
Do what makes you happy.
Walk away from what robs you of your joy.
Appreciate those who are loyal to you, and reciprocate the loyalty.

This is Serenity.
Life is Beautiful

****

※  Recovery of the body: Mind and Spirit
※  Love and faith....
※  (STOLEN) you don't owe ANYONE an explanation
※  Marching on..
※  Learn to let go..
※ Of anchors and tugboats..

****

Say no to...

SAY NO TO...

All forms of bullsh※t!!!

We tell victims to speak out...
That their silence will just fan the fire...
What about those the victims run TO for help??
They just stare, keep mum and wait for your drama to end...
And we wonder why victims never speak out....
If i told you that I loved you,
Then stood and watched as you burned..
All in the name of DECORUM...
Then I have wasted your precious time..
Because you are much better off with your worst enemy!!!

True friends don't watch as their friends burn..
Then try to salvage the situation when it's safe!!
Even shrewd businessmen warn their competitors,
If you are better off in the hands of a greedy gold-digger...
Then I am a waste of time as a friend, parent or sibling!!
May God show mercy when my turn comes around...
Because I will need someone to help me..
and all I have are friends just like me!!!

This is Serenity!!!

Related articles:

※ Reaching Out
※ Memoirs of an imperfect beauty: Cuts and Blisters
※ IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE; YOU ARE IMPORTANT
※ Gratitude: The ingredient in faith that does move mountains
※ About Fibromyalgia: What on earth is FIBROMYALGIA?
※ Security in Nothern Kenya

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