the balancing act

I've said it before and I'll say it again: balance is what keeps us sane and happy.

It isn't easy. We've got to balance taking care of ourselves, family, work or school, chores, pleasurable activities and rest. How can we possibly juggle all of these things? And, why would taking care of ourselves and rest be separate things?

Well, we always have to prioritize. But we can only do what we can do. Slow down. Meet deadlines, but pace yourself beforehand. Then, reward yourself with some fun.

Taking care of our health might be the most important aspect to achieving balance. If we let our health go, everything seems to fall apart. That's especially true for those of us with chronic illnesses. The regular things like eating right and getting some exercise make a huge difference in the quality of our lives. When we feel good we tend to feel better about ourselves.

When we're not feeling our best that's the time to let a lot of things go. Maybe we still have deadlines to meet, but we don't have to wash the floors, do the laundry, cook dinner or any home chores. Anyone for take-out? We keep a drawer full of menus to call out for dinner when I don't feel well. And, I watch for coupons so I don't stress about the money.

Fun and rest are as important as staying as healthy as possible and doing our best at work or school. If we're not enjoying our lives then deadlines seem more insurmountable, bills and chores cause anxiety, and, we don't have anything to smile about.

Fun can be simple. Time hanging out with family, a walk at the beach, going for coffee or ice cream with a friend all can be as enjoyable as something extravagant. We chose how fun our lives are. We do it by how willing we are to laugh (at ourselves) and enjoy the little things. We do it by remembering "this too shall pass" and accepting the people in our lives for who they are.

Rest helps us keep up with all of these things. I don't just mean a good night's sleep. I mean a nap, sometime in front of the TV or reading a book or magazine. I've said it a lot- I play word games to relax. But, I nap when I can. Being well rested allows me to have more fun.

All work and no play made more than Jack a dull boy. It makes us all dull. So, take a break, laugh with a friend and do the chores later. That's after the important deadlines are met.

Balance is the key. It unlocks our best selves. I'm going to have some fun and then take a nap :)

peace and love,

sunee

alternative health care

I'm very committed to traditional health care, but I'm learning that it doesn't hurt to mix things up a bit with some alternative ways of healing.

I've been having weekly acupuncture sessions for about a month now and I have noticed some improvements in certain areas.

As for my Fibromyalgia I have noticed that I sleep better and my "brain fog" is a little clearer. I have a slight reduction in pain, though it hasn't taken any pain away.

As for my Sjogren's Syndrome I have had an increase in moisture in my body, which is like heaven for me. I have also had improvement in digestion and digestion issues.

Nothing seems to take all of my ailments away, but I'm learning to be less timid of other therapies than my rheumatologist can offer. I was afraid to try acupuncture because I thought the needles would hurt going in. They don't. Sometimes they tingle. The table is extremely comfortable and after the needles are put in I rest in a warm environment. It's relaxing but it often makes me sleepy.

I guess I'm learning to find ways to feel better so that I can enjoy my life more. I'm open. It's time to feel good again.

Feel good :)

peace and love,

sunee

really, again?

Some days when I wake up and it's hard to move I get frustrated. I haven't even started my day yet! I feel like shouting, "Really, again?"

I know I'm in a bit of a funk, but, seriously, pain in the morning, pain in the afternoon, pain really bad in the evening and pain at night? Can't a gal get a break?

I'm working on keeping a positive attitude and my sense of humor- which is normally good. But I've found myself being snappy, impatient and just plain irritable. And that's if I'm not feeling anxious. It's easy to fall into that when much of your body is in agony.

And, while I'm complaining I have to admit that Sjogren's Syndrome is drying me out. I'm like the desert. My eyes are like sandpaper, my mouth is so dry water doesn't make it feel better and my skin is drying out. When I use my eye drops (every 30 minutes to an hour) it feels like heaven and I think, "This is what normal eyes feel like." Then they dry right up.

But, I'm not going to let these things keep me from being happy. I am doing the little things that make women feel good about themselves. I'm dressing for the day instead of staying in sweats everyday. I'm fixing my hair. I'm writing stories (okay, most women don't do that, I imagine). I joined a Fibromyalgia support group and I'm looking for a Sjogren's one in the area.

I'm slowing down and remembering to laugh. My sense of humor is one of my greatest personality traits, yet I seem to have forgotten that. I get bogged down in the pain and other issues and nothing seems funny. However, lots of things ARE funny. My children are very funny, for example.

"Really, again?" Well, yes, but I need to learn to live with it without becoming miserable. I need to find the humor in my everyday life and laugh.

I hope you laugh a lot, today and everyday.

peace and love,

sunee

pain and daily life

Every single day I have pain in several parts of my body. Every single day I still have things to do. I'm struggling with how to slow down and let things get done when they get done. Clearly some things need immediate attention, but I'm spending so much time doing that my body is fighting back.

To steal a phrase from 12 step programs, I need to take it One Day At A Time. If I have to stop everything and rest so be it. If I need to end my activities early because I need a hot bath or to get as comfy as I can with my heating pads, so be it. The world isn't going to come to an end.

Since I've been having a terrible time with high levels of pain daily I'm (slowly) learning to change my ways. I was a 24/7 get it all done and then some type of woman. Now I need to be a Keep It Simple type of woman.

The plus side to slowing down and taking care of myself is that I'm enjoying my time at home more. Time with my husband, my kids and my mom. I don't need to be out and about every minute.

It's hard. I feel down a lot lately. But each day I'm trying to let go of old ideas and listen to my body. I get frustrated when I can't control the pain or the problems from my illnesses. I know that it's normal, I just don't want to live in that state of mind.

Pain and daily life doesn't have to mean depressing, boring frustration. It can actually open up doors to learning about myself, and, best of all, I can nap whenever I please.

Here's to learning to live with different priorities :)

peace and love,

sunee

I can

I have gotten into the terrible habit of saying, "I can't," to so many things since I've had issues with my health. I can't go here, I can't do that. I know, however, that many of us say, "I can't," because we feel so bogged down by all we have to do. I do that, too, but mainly because I don't think I'll feel well.

I'm not ignoring the fact that often we say, "I can't," because things feel insurmountable. When I get anxious I say, "I can't," to things that if I attacked one by one they would be no big deal. And, as far as the big deals are concerned, we can do our best to handle them.

The truth is we can do many things. Chores and minor responsibilities can actually wait while we enjoy time with family or friends. The "to do" list never ends anyway, does it? Mine hasn't.

So, where's the fun? The little (and big) pleasures in our lives? I'm not suggesting we all pack up and go to Hawaii or Vegas, though that would be incredible. If you can, I'm wonder what you are waiting for. For those of us on a tighter budget, we can opt for the kind of things that remind us why we work as hard as we do. The things we tend to forget how pleasurable they are.

Whether we're over stressed, over worked, over tired or over having pain, fatigue and other maladies, I believe we should say "I can," to the invitations we're offered. It can be a party, baby shower, a visit over tea with a friend or meeting people for a meal. We need to relax and experience these things. These simple pleasures are usually what the best memories are made of.

We can't do all of the things that come up, obviously. I had to cancel a crafting date with a good friend because I was having a very difficult time that day. I didn't feel well at all. And, a few times I had to cancel on people because we had a long series of car problems- I'm sure many people can relate to that.

Sometimes we're just tired or want to be in our own homes. We need that time for getting some things done and then relaxing without the worry of other people. That is a big, "I can't," for many people. If they're home they need to be attacking housework, or they brought their job home. I often say, "I can't," to resting because I feel I need to be productive even though I know I'll be able to do a bit more if I feel well. There's nothing wrong with putting those things aside and reading a good book or vegging in front of the TV. Or better yet, taking a nice afternoon nap.

Yet I write this knowing I have to start saying yes more often. I can always postpone if something comes up or I'm in a lot of pain. However, saying yes and finding pleasure in playing a game with the family just talking to a friend (or whatever makes you smile) reduces our negativity and makes the load seem a little lighter.

Maybe the more we say, "I can," the more we'll smile.

peace and love,

sunee

staying positive

Positive thinking has so many benefits. Besides the health benefits a positive attitude makes us more pleasant to be around. It makes us feel better about our situations. Best of all, it puts a smile on our face which spreads throughout our beings and it just may spread to others.

It can be hard to stay positive. Life is full of bumps in the road. The bumpier our road the harder it is to keep a good attitude.

Whether we are dealing with chronic pain and other disorders or a huge pile of bills while everything keeps breaking down, there must be a few things to be thankful for and to boost our mood to a positive place.

Maybe a phone call from a friend, or something nice a family member says can make our day. Being thankful for the beautiful weather or how nice our flowers look can be enough to start thinking positive.

I started my day feeling very bad. I had a lot of pain and my eyes are irritated and I'm seeing blurry from my Sjogren's Syndrome. I allowed myself to rest and as I did I remembered how much better I felt when I was happier. So, even though I'm at risk of falling into depression from all that is wrong with me, I did a few things that made me smile and I took the time to meditate on all the good in my life.

We all know how easy it is to feel down about all the bumps in the road. How can I be happy with all this to deal with?

We can only count on having today. I don't want to waste it being a Negative Nancy or crawling into a depression about my health. I want to enjoy today the best way I can. I want to see the positive things. I want to feel the positive things. I want to be an example to my children of a positive way of life.

I plan to smile a lot today and be thankful for all I CAN do. I hope my positive new outlook is contagious :)

peace and love,

sunee

the good things

It becomes very easy to focus on what's wrong in our lives. Clearly it isn't just those of us with chronic pain and such. All of us get bogged down in what needs to get done, what bills haven't been paid, what appliances are breaking down, what homework must get done now and on and on.

Today I took the time with my daughter to walk at the beach. We kept it short for my sake, nevertheless it was amazing. The water was so blue. The surfers were out. The air smelled like ocean.

The fact is, we need to take time to enjoy our lives. Time goes by so quickly and there are so many things to experience. It doesn't have to be a big adventure. Sitting under a tree in a park. Reading a book in a coffee house. Going for a drive and admiring beautiful homes. Anything.

These things will help us all reduce our stress and are good for anyones health.

Enjoy the good things. They don't have to be big.

peace and love,

sunee

comlication

I'm dealing with a great deal of complications. Many of them are related to my conditions and the others are related by default.

Staying positive and upbeat is hard when some part of you hurts or isn't working right. It's also difficult when there's problems at home or money issues and all of the other things we get worked up about.

Keeping a sense of humor helps. My children are great about putting it all in perspective with a lot of laughter. After all, it is what it is. We can't change everything.

We can, however, change some things. Contrary to what I used to believe we don't need to change or fix everything at once. We can only do what we can do.

My complications are causing me to slow way down. Now I deal with what's immediate rather than everything right then. When I feel better I can handle other problems one thing at a time.

We don't need to let the unfortunate complications of life make us negative, complaining people.

We can be grateful for what we have, when we feel good and those we love. Staying positive under difficult circumstances takes practice. For many of us the complications (from autoimmune diseases and Fibromyalgia) may lead to depression and self-pity.

I have too much life to lead to get depressed or feel sorry for myself. Some days it's a constant reminder to myself that everything is going to be okay and that I'm blessed with so many things.

Try to smile more today. It brightens our mood and lightens our load.

peace and love,

sunee

Sjogren's Syndrome

Most of the difficulties I face are due to Fibromyalgia. Severe as it may be, my autoimmune disease can be pretty bad, too.

Today my eye is swollen and feels like it's being stabbed constantly. This is due to my extremely dry eyes from Sjogren's Syndrome. I don't know how serious this problem is yet, but I decided to stop worrying and return to my positive state of mind. Taking a positive approach is often the hard road, but it's better than being a Negative Nancy just complaining all of the time.

That doesn't mean I'm not contacting my doctor(s). Taking action when there's a problem has only positive effects.

Not that I'm feeling easy and breezy about my eye. I'm not. It's completely freaking me out. But I'm talking with my family, blogging (obviously, though it's not easy seeing out of only one eye clearly) and just keeping it light as I can.

I tend to write about keeping a positive spin on life, no matter what our conditions. But, sometimes when things aren't so dandy it's good to express it. We just can't stay in negative thinking.

peace and love,

sunee

stress isn't always necessary

Most of us have heard the expression, "Don't stress the small stuff." Ok, easy enough (some of the time). But what about the in between stuff?

I think it's a matter of not taking on other people's problems, for one thing. And, of course, not getting worked up over what we cannot change.

It's ok to acknowledge stress or worry, but we need to accept what is, try to improve it or just know that it is what it is and move forward.

I feel stress and guilt over just about everything. All it does is cause me pain and many times anxiety as well. Money problems, family issues, what we aren't able to do if we're dealing with fibromyalgia or autoimmune diseases, all contribute to poor health if we let them dominate our thoughts.

We can only do what we can do. We need to feel grateful for what we have and what we CAN do.

I know that I take on other people's stress and/or problems and I let that influence how I feel. I need to step back and take a look at what I'm doing to myself. I can be there for others, but I cannot live their stress. I also need to stop and take a moment to be thankful for my life and even my problems to get a clear head and reality check. We should not get stressed out over what other people do or say (or don't do). We're only responsible for ourselves (and our children).

I started to stress out this morning over an on going situation that, honestly, I have no business getting stressed out over. It's not my problem to deal with and I can only help so much. I need to take care of myself first.

It's a bit of a conundrum, I suppose. When do we help and when do we step back. My only advice is that when you feel it taking over your thoughts and actions, remove yourself even for a little while. Take care of you and your business first.

For those of us suffering with conditions and illnesses there might even be problems in your home that contribute to pain- because we let them. I know, I'm having trouble letting go of some. But we can live peacefully if we don't absorb the problems, be kind and loving and put our care as the number one priority.

After all, those things are the, "small stuff." We have so much to be grateful for and remembering that, even the tiniest thing we're thankful for, will help reduce our pain, ailments and STRESS. Even worrying too much about our conditions add to our problems.

So today is, "Don't sweat the small stuff," day, keeping in mind that our health is the number one priority.

peace and love,

sunee

no regrets

We often feel bad about what we cannot do. That's true for those with an autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia or anyone who might be stretched too thin to "do it all."

We're tempted to say yes to things we may not be able to do. Whether it's helping someone or a social invitation, sometimes we just can't do it.

Regret is like guilt. It seems to me that it's a fabricated emotion that just leads to feeling bad. We don't need to feel that way. If we can't do what's being asked, we can't.

I had to cancel a few social activities I really wanted to attend. I wanted to visit with my friend and strengthen our friendship. But I was really having a bad time that day. I had a lot of pain and other problems that kept me at home. I felt regret and guilt. That lead me to feeling anxiety and more pain.

There is only so much any person can do. For those of us with some limitations, we just need to fill our lives with people who understand, love and care about us. Those that cannot understand don't necessarily belong in our close circle.

We cannot live a life of regrets or guilt. Even with chronic pain we can still enjoy our lives and make the best of everyday. Regret and guilt are just head games we play with ourselves- and who needs that?

It's okay to say no thank you or I can't, maybe next time.

peace and love,

sunee

balance

So I was thinking about my favorite Dr. Seuess book Oh, the Places You'll go!

and it dawned on me that, not only does he remain one of my all time favorite authors, but he makes some great points in that book.

For example, he reminds us to step with great care because life is a great balancing act. And so it is for all of us. With or without chronic pain conditions, we have to find some sort of way to keep things on an even keel.

I get caught up in silly things and disregard the things I need to do for myself. I don't just mean to control my pain, but to be a good wife, mother, daughter and friend.

To be balanced means we can't do everything. Fun and enjoyment is as important as work. Rest is as important as play. Gentleness is an important as standing firm.

Life may not be a dress rehearsal, but we do get to practice over and over how to keep balance in our lives. We don't have to be perfect. We just have to ease into a balanced life.

For those of us with illnesses and chronic pain, this balanced life style is imperative. We'll feel better and we'll get to enjoy our lives more.

If we suffer from pain on a regular basis we need to balance work, play, health care and rest- among many other things. We don't need to get all analytical and make lists or a detailed schedule, but if that helps you, go for it.

I plan to listen to my body first. That will stop me from working too much, whether it be chores or writing. Listening to body will remind me to rest. These things will allow me to enjoy my family time, a very important part of my life. And, if I'm very well balanced I might just get to squeeze in a lunch with a friend.

I haven't been enjoying my life as much because I haven't been listening to my body. I forgot about balance. My pain has been elevated.

My advice to everyone is to prop up your feet and revisit Dr. Seuess (after all, he was a Doctor). Not only does his writing have invaluable advice, put it may just put a smile on your face :)

peace and love,

sunee

when all else fails

When all else fail freak out.

Just kidding. Don't. It gets you nowhere. It makes it hard to breathe. You can't focus. Calming down seems impossible. Pain increases exponentially.

Last night I had rapid onset pain that was very severe and I "freaked out." I completely gave in to panic. Not only was I in ridiculous levels of pain, but I practically hyperventilating and crying. I was not in control of myself. Basically, pain won.

Okay, so I'm only human. Melt downs, freak outs and panic attacks happen. Maybe not so much for others. I'm extremely emotional- but I generally use that emotion for good and to focus on what I'm thankful for and who I love.

Pain often "wins" for those of us with fibro. However, we really have the tools to keep that from happening. Unfortunately, I threw all my tools out the window last night. My mother talked me down and reminded me of what I should do in such instances.

Remember what is good in our lives. Think positive thoughts.

Deep breathes are essential. I needed pain medication and after I took it I should have done what I knew would help rather than spaz out and make it worse.

While waiting for the medication to work I could have meditated. Any form of meditation. Twenty one deep breaths. It's best if you make the breaths the same length going in and out the nose. Mindfulness Meditation has variations in which you visualize the pain in a neutral way and picture it leaving your body. Also, meditation in which you just clear your mind and breath.

Excuse me if this is repetitive. If anyone is anything like me, we need to be reminded of how to handle pain and not let it win.

The good news is that we just keep learning and trying. I plan to research other ways to handle pain, rapid onset or constant. The more I learn, the more I'll share.

May you be pain free and remember of all the goodness :)

peace and love,

sunee

managing pain

Managing pain can be an overwhelming feat. Family and friends don't understand how bad the pain can get. The numbness, burning and fatigue all make for a difficult way to live.

So, how do we manage pain and other symptoms of autoimmune diseases and fibromyalgia and still have a life?

That is the question, isn't it? After all, we don't want to be laid up or freaking out (as I tend to do when the bad gets to the intolerable point). There is a certain amount of stress that comes with chronic pain. And we all probably have bouts with depression when we're constantly in pain and can't do what we want to (or think we have to). In fact, sometimes we have to do things even when we're suffering terribly. Those of us with children, for example. Or, as I have, my mother living with us.

I wish I had the answers. I had to leave a career I loved because the pain was so intense every single day that try as I might, it showed on my face as well as in my body language. I thought the diversion of going back to work would be a good distraction, since I love teaching so much.

I guess what we need to do is have (flexible) plans in place when severe pain strikes. Like taking a hot bath then resting with heating pads and a cup of tea. Or, as the pain is coming on, mindfulness meditation helps quite a bit. It is a type of meditation that deals with pain, stress and other related problems and is worth checking into. I found a great collection of meditations on Itunes.

Besides rapid onset pain which comes on too quick to try meditation first, forms of relaxation help ease the pain by reducing the stress and relaxing the muscles that get so tight.

I'm not against pain medication. I believe we're given it for a reason and when the pain gets to the point where I'm unable to do anything such as move comfortably, I do take something for pain then try the relaxation techniques. The two together generally lower the pain to a functioning level.

Of course, we shouldn't be lifting things or doing hard labor. We should be exercising as prescribed and eating well, excluding the foods that make pain worse. So exchange diet soda for tea or water, because sugar substitutes add to pain. Caffeine is another no no if we are trying to lower everyday pain. There are also certain vegetables and the like. Just look up diets for Fibromyalgia and you'll get plenty of info.

We should also rest. Getting a good night's sleep is imperative. If you're one with sleeping problems, like I am, a nap during the day helps.

Seeking alternative means of pain relief is an option, though they can be costly even with insurance. I'm trying acupuncture and I have my second treatment tomorrow. I'm willing to try whatever I can to even reduce the pain. It also is said to relieve stress, and boy do we have stress if we're in pain all the time!

I have a high level of pain daily. I don't have great answers about minimizing the pain. I'm just sharing what I'm trying and how it effects me and those around me.

I hope I offered some solutions, or at the very least, some things to consider.

peace and love,

sunee

pain and fatigued days

Some days are better than others when it comes to chronic pain. Today has been a very bad day. I'm sitting with heating pads trying to relax and ease the pain. No matter what I've tried, be it medications (and I take plenty) and now I'm having acupuncture. I exercise. I don't eat certain foods. Yet nothing seems to stop the bad flare ups and everyday pain. All of it at times unbearable.

On days like today I need to let go of my list of imaginary must do items and take care of myself. I need to change my old way of thinking that I must do, do, do and go, go, go.

The new way I'm trying to think is to rest when I'm tired, limit what I do, including go up and down my stairs too many times, and listen to my body. And I did rest today. I had to.

Since I don't want to just sit and moan about my pain to my family I need to find outlets to express how I feel. That fatigue is making me feel like cement, that I hurt in so many places I lost count and that the level of pain is increasing as the day wears on. We don't want to become a strain on our families, or have it be an oh well she's in pain again thing. It's hard to balance pain and family.

I also need to refocus my mind on ways to relax and to cope. I practice mindfulness meditation, but not every day like I should. I read. I blog. I take long, hot baths and picture my pain slipping away. I picture sandy white tropical beaches. I play word games (as I've mentioned before, I'm sure!).

I guess for all of us with fibro or chronic pain conditions, this is life. It's up to us to take care of ourselves and deal with the bad days.

I hope you're having a pain-free, good day.

peace and love,

sunee

no time for self-pity

Some days I feel a little sorry for myself. I'm sure my psychiatrist would say that's normal due to the depression that goes with fibromyalgia and my other disease. But we all know what isn't normal is living in that poor me state of mind.

Today my upper and lower back have burning, deep pain, my left arm is tingling and throbbing, my wrist hurts more than I can express, my knees are sore making it hard to take the stairs and the list goes on...

I just wasted so much of our time going over that. Not that we shouldn't release the pent up feelings associated with chronic pain, but enough is enough.

We need to live and enjoy and relax and just breathe. All this listing and worrying leads to more pain, and then- Guess what? More self-pity.

I started to feel a little pity creeping in because I feel so bad today, but just expressing it made me feel so much better.

My advice is to find someone who doesn't live your pain constantly to vent to, or grab your journal, or blog like I do.

We need to keep our spirits up and our minds free and clear of pity. We deserve to enjoy our lives just like everyone else.

peace and love,

sunee

acupuncture

I've been looking for ways to relieve pain other than taking pain pill after pain pill. I'm assuming there are many in the same boat.

I avoid foods that are said to cause pain, from caffeine, nightshade vegetables, sugars (well, I'm not that good at that), sugar substitutes and sandwich meats because they have nitrates. I practice yoga, rest often, try to avoid stress (try being the operative word). And the list goes on...

So, when all else fails we venture out into things that might feel awkward or even scare us. I was terrified of acupuncture for years. I heard many people rave about the results. I heard professionals speak of its benefits. I read about it.

So, now I'm trying it. I began a once a week treatment plan. The goal is to lower my pain level enough to reduce the number of medications I take.

The needles don't really hurt going in. I felt a tingle or a pinch. While I laid there with many needles in me I had a few muscles spasms and tingly feelings all over. I was actually very relaxed while I had the needles in me. I almost fell asleep.

I'm in it for the long haul. I felt funky after the treatment today. Tired and woozy. I was told the pain might move to another spot and it did. I had a pretty high pain level for hours after. But after some rest I feel okay.

I'm excited about finding a way to live with less pain. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

peace and love,

sunee

fibromyalgia and identity

So I have fibromyalgia and Sjogren's Syndrome. What now? I can longer work because of the pain, so I'm no longer a teacher. My children are almost grown, so I'm not needed quite as much.

Who I am I now? A sick woman in pain?

It's time to reinvent myself. Not completely. I have many qualities I want to hang on to and even develop more.

For many people staying home is pleasant and relaxing. For the most part, it is for me. Pain decreased as soon as my days allowed for rest and relaxation. But my mind needs a little bit more.

I write. I have since as far back as I can remember. I have poems I wrote at 10 years old. I've written for college papers and I write short stories and plays. In fact, I thought of a career as a playwright before I landed my first teaching job. I'm even attempting a novel.

We need something- writing, crafting, sewing- whatever our bodies allow, to keep our minds active. Reading is helpful for that, too. Maybe someday you'll be reading my work :)

My point is that we still have an identity aside from our illnesses. We don't necessarily need to actually reinvent ourselves, but we need to have a clear sense of who we are aside from pain.

If you're able to work, you understand the satisfaction of getting a job done, especially if you love your career as much as I loved teaching. Those of us who can no longer work deserve that satisfaction, too.

So, whether it's reinventing ourselves or renewing and old hobby, the time is now. We don't want to identify ourselves by illness only. We deserve more than that.

Enjoy yourself :)

peace and love,

sunee