The Life Of A Sensitive Soul

The road is long, the destination not yet realized. Joy is interspersed with sadness. Smiles alternate with tears.

This is the life of a sensitive soul.

We all share the common quest of wanting to fit in, to be valued and feel like we matter. Without it we feel set adrift in a place of isolation.

Odd man out. Overlooked. On the outside. Excluded. Neglected. Forgotten.

Everyone has two choices. Either we can wallow in self-pity, crying that life isn't fair. This is certainly a path that can lead to self-destruction.

Or we can choose to face our reality, knowing that we can never be all things to all people. Recognize our truth, accept it and be grateful.

And then move on.

The blessings we can allow ourselves to experience lies in our ability to love one another despite our differences. This can be very freeing. And once we've done the work and learned how to master that skill, life will be so much sweeter.

I'll meet you on that side.

♥♥♥♥

NOTE: I made it! This is the last day of National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) for the month of November. It was an important exercise that taught me I can set aside time every day to write. Hooray!

It was my great fortune to be in the company of a group of talented women writers who took this journey with me. We read and commented on each other's posts every day. Through their stories I learned more about the art of good writing and the many gifts of friendship. I thank every one of them.

The Magic of #GivingTuesday And The Healing Powers Of Horses

This is the first in a two part series for #GivingTuesday (December 2).

I'm proud to be a social media ambassador for #GivingTuesday (December 2) for the second year in row. We have a day of thanks, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday is a global event, and a chance for everyone to make a choice to help others.

Please take a look at this video for a quick explanation of what #GivingTuesday is.

I'm using the power of my words, along with the help of social media, to create awareness about an extraordinary organization that rescues, rehabilitates and matches horses with people.

The Full Circle Equine Rehabilitation Center is where "horses and people help each other." Its Founder, Cris Pemberton, helps semi-retired horses and ponies find their purpose by spending quality time with people who care and love them. Cris, along with the help of many passionate volunteers, finds that, "the healing power of horses can touch, uplift and enrich the community."

But the cost of caring for a horse is expensive, and many times she's forced to turn down requests to take in horses who are old or physically/emotionally damaged. It breaks her heart to have to say no. If she had enough funds to say yes she'd be able to rescue and rehabilitate more and more beautiful horses.

Volunteers at Full Circle with the beautiful horse, Cayenne

Cris firmly believes in her mission of helping people in her community discover the magic of horses and therapeutic riding. She loves teaching others the proper skills of working with the rehabilitation and rescue programs offered at FCERC.

Through the help of generous donations from friends, family and the community Cris implemented a small scholarship program that grants one person at a time into the FCERC program.

Cris with Faith

But without the continued support of donations these programs can't exist. Horses won't be rescued and the community won't receive the gift of healing from these beautiful animals.

The beautiful Angel

Please take a look at the Full Circle Equine Rehabilitation Center website for more details about FCERC's programs to find out how you can help.

I'd like to thank Cris for the special work she is doing, and for reaching out to me through the #GivingTuesday website. It has been an honor to get to know her and FCERC.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: FCERC is incorporated in Washington State and is registered with the Washington State Charities Registry. Our Application for Recognition of Exemption under Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code was approved on July 31, 2014 effective February 26, 2013. FCERC is a Public Charity and, as such, contributions to FCERC are deductible. We are also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2016 or 2522 of the Code.

Photo Credits: Photos of the horses are the sole property of Full Circle Equine Rehabilitation Center.

How Emily Dickinson Taught Me The Power Of Love And Being A Nobody

I'm thinking about someone today that I love and miss, someone who sent me many poems including this funny little one by Emily Dickinson. I loved it then and I love it now. It makes me smile. I learned there's nothing wrong in being a nobody. Don't you agree?

THE NOBODY CLUB

I’m nobody! Who are you?

Are you nobody, too?
Then there ’s a pair of us — don’t tell!

They'd banish us, you know.

How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog.

To tell your name the livelong day,
To an admiring bog! ~~Emily Dickinson

I love Emily Dickinson. My parents once gave me one of my favorite gifts - the complete poems of Emily Dickinson. Who is your favorite poet?

My Anniversary, A Few Truths And One Great Big Fat Lie

I'm always up for something fun, especially since I'm almost in the homestretch of NaBloPoMo. So I was more than happy when the lovely Elin Stebbins Waldal of Beyond the Backyard Blues invited me and a few of my blogging buddies to play a game that begins today.

But I wasn't sure if I wanted to participate because, you see, today is my 26th wedding anniversary. The day I walked down the aisle and exchanged vows under the chuppah with my best friend.

Our journey together has been like most marriages, filled with ups and downs that, in the end, has drawn us closer together. I cherish my husband and our life together, and the way he makes me feel beautiful and valued each and every day.

The icing on our cake was the birth of our incredible son who is the joy of our lives. Together the three of us are a team, and I am mindful every day how blessed we truly are.

Now back to the game. I am going to write 5 truths and 1 lie about myself and you must decide which one is the lie. Can you spot it? Leave your comments below, and tomorrow I will reveal the answer.

A married man once asked me to be his mistress, and if I said yes he said he would rent an apartment to be our cozy little love nest.
I asked former New York City Mayor Ed Koch to lower the city's taxes.
I had a chef bake a specialty cake for me, then told my date that I baked it.
Billy Crystal asked me if I grew up in a family where we had two sets of dishes, one for dairy and one for meat.
I love flying in small airplanes. Our honeymoon was in Little Dix Bay on the island of Virgin Gorda. We flew to Puerto Rico, then took a tiny plane to the island. It was exhilarating.
I worked on an assembly line in a factory where my job was to place a tiny widget on top of every appliance that rolled by on a conveyor belt.

You Have A Permanent Place In My Heart. Forever.

I love the MS community that I speak to each day for their strength, courage and unconditional commitment to support one another. They have taught me so much. Our bond has become stronger lately as we deal with the most serious of issues, more than I can say. The only way I know how to process the hand that's been dealt is through writing, so I wrote this piece of poetry for myself. I now share it with you.

Time is fleeting.

In a mind's eye I clearly see myself swimming back,
back upstream when the change of seasons was seamless,
the hours in a day were long,
and loved ones seemed immortal.

Skipping rope and slumber parties,
quickly changed,
when I gently closed my eyes, then opened them,
to see a new pink Princess phone,
bell bottomed jeans,
and books about teenage angst.

Days flow into years,
and years swiftly pass.
I try hard to hold on to the light,
to the peaceful places I love,
and the love and warmth that envelops me,
but still the night calls.

Time is transient,
and life is momentary.

So I close my eyes less,
to make each day longer,
and linger over every second,
as if it were my last.

I cherish the now,
Of you, of me and of us,
until we must say good-bye.

You have a permanent place in my heart.

Forever.

A Gratitude Break After 15 Days Of Writing For National Blog Posting Month (Oy!)

After fifteen days of writing for National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) I'm taking it a little easier today. As I write this it's late afternoon, and I'm enjoying the view of our mountain so softly lit by the setting sun. The snow barely covers the ground, reminding me that another winter is soon upon us and with it comes the dreaded permanent chill in the air.

The quiet in the house is comforting, the only sound are the bells on my cats' collars. It soothes me in ways I can't explain. And so I reflect.

Recently I was asked to create a gratitude challenge for MultipleSclerosis.net, the health website I write for. Often, the holidays are a difficult time for people living with chronic illness, making it important to remember what we're grateful for instead of focusing on our illness. This issue is not exclusive to those with disabilities. It can also be a lonely or stressful time for others.

I posted three things I am grateful for with accompanying photos. With Thanksgiving coming, I thought I'd write a (very) short gratitude post for my 16th day of NaBloPoMo.

I am grateful that our son had a chance to get to know his great-grandparents.

And that all four of his grandparents are an integral part of his life.

I am grateful I have had an opportunity to travel to see loved ones, and to explore new places.

I am more than grateful for every experience I've had, both good and bad, that helped shape my life to bring me to this moment. Because right now I am grateful to you, dear reader, for your comments, encouragement and support. You have enriched me in ways that I never anticipated or take for granted. I humbly thank you.

Have a wonderful Sunday and an empowering week.

How One Simple Act Of Kindness Can Make A Difference

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love this quote because it reminds me of the hope I hold in my heart that if my work makes a difference to someone else then I know my life has had meaning.

It feels good to help others the way that others have helped me. As Emerson said, I breathe easier.

There were times in my life when I felt trapped by illness, depression or the inability to care for myself. During those darkest days I was blessed by the gifts of unconditional love and support from my family.

I also received long distance surprises that helped shine a bright light on me. All of these positive forces from family and friends helped to bring me out of my darkness.

A NaBloPoMo prompt reminded me of this. It said:

"Tell us about one time that you benefitted from the kindness of strangers."

I liked the idea of this, but what came to mind was the kindness of friends who live far away.

I often write about the short-lived depression I suffered a few summers ago. My hormones were out-of-balance after living through incredible pain, two surgeries and a few other minor procedures. I was in the doldrums with no will to eat, walk or socialize.

I was not myself.

Three friends. Three gifts.

Then something wonderful happened. A package arrived at our front door. My husband brought the box to me and opened it. We unwrapped the beautiful packaging together to find a soft, beautifully knit moss-colored prayer shawl. The card revealed that a special knitting circle from a church in Texas made the shawl especially for me. The card was signed by a dear friend who took part in the circle.

I cried at the beauty of this gesture and wrapped the blanket around me. I felt the love from this group of women envelop me. It was a powerful moment.

A few days later another package arrived and again we unwrapped it together. Inside we found a brightly painted piece of artwork with the word "BLESSED" embellished across the bottom. Another powerful moment.

And, yes, a third package arrived at our door. In it was a simple yet spiritually meaningful book that I continue to turn to again and again for comfort. It, too, was a powerful moment in time.

These gifts were unexpected, and together they reminded me of the blessings we have and the joy we derive from the simplest acts of kindness.

"I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance." ~Anonymous

I often reflect on the miracles that change the course of our lives, and how positive thoughts and deeds help to make that difference. I know it made one in mine.

It's what brought me back into the light that summer, and gave me the chance to, hopefully, pass that light onto others.

Have you ever received an unexpected surprise that made a difference in your life?

New Happiness Study By LANCET: Are You Middle Age Or A Senior?

As I was driving to meet a friend for lunch I turned the radio on to NPR's program "Here and Now" as they were beginning to discuss a new study published by LANCET. Michelle Roberts, the BBC News online Health Editor, was explaining a new happiness study that was linked to age, and that life follows a predictable course depending on where people live.

I quickly thought what perfect timing this was since the broadcast sounded fascinating and could be the subject of my next NaBloPoMo post.

That was until I heard:

"In Western world nations, life satisfaction bottomed out between the ages of 45 and 54 before rising again."

According to this study midlife was between the ages of 45 -54. Whoa! Really? For the next few minutes I didn't hear anything except the sound of my own thoughts racing inside my head.

A few of them were:

Are those ages correct?
Who makes up age ranges? What are they based on?
At age 55 am I suddenly considered a senior citizen?
Do I need to start checking off my Bucket List items a little faster?

The study went on to say that, "This is the period at which wage rates typically peak and is the best time to work and earn the most."

Oh, boy.

So if they are correct about the age range of midlife, then my husband and I already hit our peak of wage rates (yikes!) AND we are now senior citizens (double yikes!)

When I got home I checked a few sources on the Internet to see whether or not I was a senior citizen. I found that the U.S. Census says middle age is anywhere between ages 35 - 54.

Oh, no. It's getting worse.

However, the updated version of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the standard diagnostic manual of The American Psychiatric Association) defines it as 45 - 65.

Phew.

Suddenly I began feeling ashamed of myself. Why? Because my reaction to the definition of midlife did not coincide with what I write, what I believe in or what I preach to others.

In the end, it really doesn't matter what the study, the census, the manual, or the gods-that- be say.

I am 55 years old, and there aren't any statistics that can change the essence of who I am. I am the same person I was before and after I listened to the program. So when I tell someone "You're as young as you feel" I sincerely mean it.

Whether I'm in my middle years or a senior citizen doesn't matter. What matters is what's in my heart, and how I feel about who I am.

That is my own personal happiness study.

Fabulous Friday Fun Because We Deserve It (Video)

Ah, Friday. The end of the week. The end of a long NaBloPoMo week of writing a post a day. Of writing and editing. Publishing and sharing. Commenting and tweeting. Liking and emailing.

I feel like Bill Murray in "Groundhog Day." Every morning I wake up, grab some coffee and begin writing another new post. Today is a new day.

NaBloPoMo forces me to write more than usual. Not only for the websites I am paid to write for, but also for my blog. Writing a little bit every day is an important exercise toward becoming a better writer. At least that's the theory. It's been challenging, overwhelming, exciting and productive..

So today I'm giving myself a treat because, well, I deserve one! And I think you do too.

Part of my personal wellness program.

Over the years I found my own wellness program, a way of putting the world on hold by jumping into a fictional Nirvana. So if I'm feeling tired or stressed I do one of two things (aside from eating some chocolate).I read a good book, or I watch something that takes me away. Either a classic film or an old television program.

It feels good when I don't have to think or do anything.

There have been times over the years when my MS caused me to spend many days at home. Books, classic films and TV shows were my refuge. They helped me through some difficult times, becoming good, dependable friends who helped me escape my circumstances for a few hours. I am thankful for that; they are on my gratitude list.

So here's a little Friday fun because we all deserve it.

First is a vintage TV commercial as part of The Donna Reed Show (which I liked) promoting another program I loved, "That Girl" starring Marlo Thomas and Ted Bessell.

Diamonds, daisies, Broadway, That Girl.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4jl_PSS-Ic

Whenever I want a good laugh I turn to Don Rickles. I miss the best talk show host ever, Johnny Carson. If I want to watch my favorite singer, there's no one like Frank Sinatra. Here's an episode of The Tonight Show when Don surprises Frank and Johnny. Classic TV.

I know this movie by heart. It simply makes me happy. It's "The Philadelphia Story" starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart about a divorced socialite who is about to remarry when her ex-husband shows up.

In this scene drunk newspaperman James Stewart visits with ex-husband, Cary Grant. Watch Grant's face when Stewart improvises with hiccups. Cary Grant later said he almost broke out laughing.The Academy must have liked it because Stewart won the Oscar for his performance.

"The Philadelphia Story" was later remade into the musical "High Society" starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra. I loved the music (of course) but the movie was no comparison to it's predecessor.

What unique wellness plan do you have?

NaBloPoMo: My Thirty Day Challenge Of Writing To Hone My Craft And Build Stronger Connections

I have joined the wonderful insanity of the National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) Challenge. For the next month I've made a commitment to write a post every day as a way to challenge myself to keep writing and hone my craft to become a better writer.

"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." ~Benjamin Franklin

I also decided to join because I love the community feel to this challenge as well. It's a bit terrifying to write a post a day for 30 days. But a bunch of incredible bloggers convinced me at the last minute to take the plunge and dive into these uncharted waters, so now I feel less anxious and much more excited.

Floating alongside of them will be a pleasure, and it will be a joy to cheer each other on.

It's important for my readers to know that my posts will continue to be relevant to the mission of An Empowered Spirit, to live a healthy and vibrant life after age 50. So I hope you continue to come back here as often as possible to read what fascinating and topical material I'll be covering, no matter how short or long my pieces will be. Here we go!

Have a wonderful Sunday.

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