My five-a-day

Serena tagged me in a meme called “five-a-day” which was started to encourage mental well-being.

Here are my top five things to do every day (or, at least, several times a week) to stay mentally healthy:

• exercise - since last November when I hired a personal trainer, I made the committment to somehow honour my physical self by exercising - whether it's a workout, yoga, or through belly dance, I try to do some physical exercise several times a week, if not everyday


• read - it's seems strange to consider reading a luxury, but that's what it is to me. I spend my day reading work-related material, and when I get home I hardly have time to sit, so I try hard to read every night before I fall asleep - although, many times I fall asleep AS I read


• pray - it's the only way I can get through life


• eat healthily - self-explanatory - when I don't eat healthily my fibromyalgia flairs up as does the arthritis


• laugh - along with prayer...I need to laugh, such a release

I tag:

1. Genie Sea


2. Caroline


3. miss*R


4. Claudia


5. You!

Season's Greetings!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Driving with my son

We drove out to Oshawa to drop off my older son and on the drive back home there was something on the radio about a lottery jackpot and I said to my son "imagine having all that money." And the conversation that followed that comment went along like this...

He said, "Ya...I think if you had a lot of money you would be what they call a philanthropist"
and he went on to talk about how if he won money he would spend it on himself (typical teenager).

I asked, "What a sec...what do you mean philanthropist?"

He answered, "Well, a philanthropist is someone who helps people. And that's what you do, you help people. I think if you had money you would use it to help people."

I answered...well...I didn't answer...I was dumbfounded.

Insightful? I think so...I didn't even think my kids were paying attention to anything I do, for that matter, anything outside the centre of their universe - themselves. (lol) Wow...I need to figure out what to do with this.

Christmas project

A teacher at school is expecting a baby any time now. I'm knitting a little hat for the baby and for her toddler and will post pictures when I'm down. The patterns are so cute, I can't wait to see them when they're complete. I'm making one for another teacher's baby granddaughter too!

Today

I went to Weight Watchers today and gained a bit. Although, I'm down close to 20 pounds in total, the up-down-up-down at the scales gets to me sometimes. Today, it was magnified because there was someone at the meeting who I've met in a different context and wasn't terribly impressed by. Problem is, I needed to be cheery, since I know them in a professional context...rather, than screaming and running away - which I what my soul wanted to do!

The last month has been difficult to stay on track with my workout routine my trainer prepared - partly because she has been going through something and had to cancel a couple of our workouts...also, partly due to caring for my dad - that's been a huge drain...and, partly, due to the fact the weather is crappy, there is no sun, and work is crazy busy. On the plus side, I have ONLY gained 1.2 pounds this week (could've been worse!)...I am using the membership at Extreme Fitness that my son didn't want anymore (mostly for yoga, but I'm GOING!). Sooo...I guess, the net result is good because I haven't stop exercising all together and haven't thrown every piece of chocolate, or cookie, or cake, or candy, or any other food that starts with 'c' into my mouth!!

I've been trying to finish the "Soul Coaching" book and have been spending a couple of days per "Soul Coaching day"...today is the day where I have to craft a mission for my soul. I read the book last night, and it talked about listening to things throughout the day. One thing I heard myself say yesterday, and I actually say quite frequently when I'm working with kids is that...my mission is to make sure the students that I work with succeed - and succeed in the sense that they get through school, pass all their courses, get to graduation, and get on with their lives...succeed in drafting a plan for their future - not necessarily what they'll be doing when they're 50, but the near future "what do you want to do right out of high school? in 5 years?" These are questions kids can answer without feeling overwhelmed that they are making some massive decision that they can never deviate from. This is wish and this is my mission.

Is my mission at work, also my mission in life? Maybe. I help people I connect with at church, in my neighbourhood, or any context - if I see I can help, I do. Two days ago I ran into someone who I met at church and helped with a family situation. She thanked me for taking time to help her even though I didn't really know her and told me everything had worked out well for them. Something that took me less than a half hour, impacted that family for the positive. Wow!

Why is my mission as an educator so clear, but not so clear for my mission in life. Maybe they're one and the same. I don't know.

Cautious...some good news

Today my father was tested in the hyperbaric chamber and the test went well. Not great, not fantastic, not terrible, but well. Well enough to say that hyperbaric therapy might be helpful for my dad. That means, if Dr. D. is happy with the results of this test, he will determine the course of action and, I'm hoping, set into motion steps to resolve my father's current health situation...namely, determine how much will need to be amputated and when and how all that will occur.

I'm happy (cautiously, 'cause I don't want to be disappointed) because this bring bring resolution to his health and he won't have to wear the PICC line very much longer. Happy because for the next few weeks we don't have any doctor's appointments and can face Christmas on a positive note. It's been so busy these past few weeks with doctor's appointments, hospitals and sadness. I've been doing well for the most part, but the last month or so, I have been exercising less and eating more. I'm glad school is almost over and I'll have some time to rest. I'm going to try NOT to think about the new year, as it will be busy right from the start with my dad's appointments again.

Worried and feeling very tired...

Since I last wrote, my father's been released and is at home. I quickly had to set up some more supports for him in the home - a personal care giver, increased Meals on Wheels delivery, and taking over some household responsibilities like groceries and banking. Tomorrow we see Dr. D and Friday we see Dr. E. We saw Dr. E last week (I think...I'm beginning to lose track) and this week my father will be tested in the hyperbaric tank. I'm praying for the best, but prepared for the worst.

I feel very drained by all this. I haven't been taking care of myself and I'm very rundown. I can't wait until the Christmas break. I'm hoping I'll have some time to recoup. Work is usually easier after the holidays and before you know it, it's summer break.