Life is not easy. Especially when you are in a family of invisible illnesses and disabilities. It can be serious, funny and downright hard! But we make it. Just like everyone else. We just do it in a different style.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Hit the Wall...and Kept on Bouncing




Yesterday's post was a very hard one to write. I don't often let out that I feel overwhelmed and scared. But that post brought some quick assurances and good vibes from so many people. Thanks to all of you.

Well, what do you do when you get up the next day and nothing is any different? Did you read the last post to the end? There was a list of things to do and I am doing them.

Today, I printed out two flyers that I put near my computer to gaze at when ever I take those 15 minutes breaks per hour to rest my eyes. One says, "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." The quote is by Thomas Edison and was tweeted to me this morning by @Outlaw_Marketer. The other one, I neglected to keep the tweeter's handle (in the future, I will be linking all tweets to web pages), but the quote went like this, "Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world."

Those are the new quotes near my computer to keep me going when I feel so overwhelmed. They join "Obstacles are placed before you to test your resolve and commitment towards obtaining your goals" and If God brings you to it...He will bring you through it." All these words mean a lot to me. They are reminders that others are suffering, others are in a worse position than I am and that I should give in for a moment, but get back to the business of doing what I do best: fighting my way out of a challenge.

So, today, I am up early (5:30am) with my head brimming with ideas. If you haven't noticed the new banner on the right, it is for a program I am involved in though a great online herbal store called iHerb.com. I am not a great salesperson, so I will just say occasionally you will see announcements about what they are doing in the side bar. This is a company that I have personally been involved with for nearly 13 years. I posted a note on my Facebook about my involvement.

Also, I am following a bunch of coaches through Tweeter, and three of my favorite ones right now is Pat Weber (@patweber) who is a great coach for someone like me - introverted and shy (did you know those are two separate types?), J.Sewell Perkins (@thesciccoach), who appeared on a great blogtalkradio show that I will follow as Tracey Tarrant parades experts in front of me every week. The third great coach who is just starting out, but is SO sincere, I just love her to death is Joanne Julius Hunold, CPC (@intandem). She is another coach for us introverted who is very real and down to earth.

I mention these women because in Tip #1, I mention getting rid of the negative speak and getting positive people in front of you. Well, if you are mostly housebound like I am that is not easy. So these women are my neighbors (along with all of you who comment or send emails or call!). I have made new friends who challenge me to go beyond my current (cold) circumstances and keep looking for those opportunities. Even if they seem like work.

Yesterday, I explained to my two boys about the circumstances in our home. Things are not well and I let them know it. But I assured them just like I did when I became disabled, Mommy will take care of it. Trust me. My oldest son, who always seems to know the right thing to say, exclaimed, "Well, we can just pray to God about it. But if you say you will take care of it, I know you always do." Who says Asperger's needs to be cured? He warms my heart!

Well, I hit the wall...I am okay...and I am back in the business of taking care of my family.