Christopher Dior Simon's Blog, page 13

Reality or Regal Wishes

Maybe you remember the humorous story about the person who received three wishes. Well, I have not been given three wishes but I have been fortunate to have one brain. With my brain, I have the choice of blessings or curses upon my life. I can use my brain to think positively and create a mind that is a machine for positivism. I’ve elected to program my mind to think thoughts of encouragement, motivation, and tenacity. I have forged together a belief that I am overcoming instead of being vanquished by my disappointment with what life dealt me.

We should not feel embarrassed by our difficulties, only by our failure to grow anything beautiful from them. Alain de Botton. Do not allow yourself to be disheartened as long as you have done your best. Mother Teresa. Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change. Wayne Dyer. Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s anticipated problems, but it is the culprit that steals today’s peace away from you. Peace is the place in your mind that you take all your troubles to and leave them knowing that even if it doesn’t turn out as you want, you will be alright.

I believe that what we think, believe, and say are the construction materials that build our individual realities. My doctor repeated the words of conventional understanding regarding ALS. I refuted his words and began refusing all the knowledge about what happens to a person who has been diagnosed with this disorder. I said I will live and not die. I was given 2-3 years to live. I’m close to 15 years past that prognostication. I’m in full expectation of living another 15-20 years of spreading encouragement, motivation, and enlightening words. We are what we say. Simplysaidbysimon, pronounce words of blessings over your family, friends, and yourself. You are ALS – Attacking Ludicrously Spoken words over your life. Tell them, “You’re not the boss of me!”

Take no prisoners – make no excuses

I had a good night; I will make it a great day. I like Yoda’s quote, “Do or don’t do; there is no try.” Strive to be a doer more and less a talker.

If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm. Vince Lombardi. I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse. Florence Nightingale. I’m thinking, I have at least another 15-20 years left to live. I have ALS, but it doesn’t have me. I’ll spend these years leaving an imprint of how we decide our destiny and not bad luck.

Last week, I read a book that gave me some insight into discouragement, despondency, defeatism, and depression. On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble. The book details how for some, it’s a struggle just to get out of bed. I took away a few good suggestions. The main thing is simply to do the next thing. The whole picture of life may be too overwhelming. Focus on doing the next thing. Get up off the couch or out of your bed. Maybe tomorrow you can take a shower. Narrow things down to doing the next thing.

Life is hard. It’s not fair. Even still, Simplysaidbysimon, you’re still running this show. You can fade away, or choose to be an ALS – Alternate Lifestyle Superhero in your world.

One third of the way

It’s theorizing Tuesday that all things are possible if we only believe in our God, who will bring them to pass. Trust your dreams and aspirations to Him who will withhold no good gift from you – our God who will bring it to pass.

What is on your agenda for today? I’m going to do more reading and writing. Have a blessed day. You are almost there. Have a blessed day. Let me know what is going on with your plans for the year. We’re one-third of the way through this year’s potential and opportunities. Have you realized any of your goals yet? Don’t let anyone or anything obstruct your pathways.

Diseases or other conditions may add to the difficulty, but Philip Sidney said, “Either I will find a way, or I will make one.” Simplysaidbysimon, ALS – Always Lifting Spirits.

Worth Waiting

No one has come to feed me yet
as of 8:50 this morning. Another day, another crew, same results for a different reason. I’m going to grit my teeth and bear it. I am happy that I went to sleep and woke up to the good care of the night shift. We’re hiring new people, so I am hoping that things will continue to improve.

There is always at least more than one perspective. I’m looking for reasons why, and to be the solution when I can be. Having a bad attitude never helps. I could have enjoyed a Snickers during my wait. I have a good mobile dentist.

Most everything else is moving forward. In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin. When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor Frankl. Simplysaidbysimon this morning, working together we can make a change. I just need to be an ALS – A Loving Simon. Thanks, Aileen.

Five more hours

My wife came and fed around ten this morning. Woo-hoo. I ate some of her banana nut bread. We actually have two CNAs who know the routine. Doing it escaped them today. Things like brushing teeth, shaving, wiping eyes and face, and range of motion have not been done. I’m still in good shape. No doubt, if I asked, maybe at least one person present would know what to do, but I won’t bother that person. She’s probably having to help the registry nurses.

This is the first time the staff has been this skimpy. I’m grateful for my care generally speaking. I like my routine. I was still 175ish the last time I weighed. I’m doing well. I am enjoying my variety of protein drinks, chips, Ritz Crackers, and dips, and also the various baked goods with my health drink.

Amazingly good. I just got my shave, brushed teeth, ROM, etc. Disability is not a roadblock. I’m doing much of what I plan. My life continues and I enjoy it. Reading books are a large part of my day. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. Joseph Addison. I still have my friends. Friends are siblings God never gave us. Mencius. Simplysaidbysimon, make the best of it as an ALS – Alertly Living Superstar.

Hold On

Sufficiently Satisfying Sunday has begun another week of expectations. Be blessed in your goal attainments. I’ll receive some things from Jennifer today and work on my publishing agenda. How about you?

Today, we have all registries and no one who knows us. It’s not a good thing, but I just have to make it until seven this evening. Oh boy, this is a first. I can be thankful for that. Even the DON is out. Help us, help us. Smile. Days like this make you sing, Just Staying Alive. Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. James Baldwin. Simplysaidbysimon, stay positive when all around you is negative. ALS – Abandoning Languishing Spirits.

I’m enjoying the credit

I have completed my room upgrades and it’s been fun trying to return items for credit. It appears that if it’s one of the items purchased, I can keep the item and receive a partial or full credit. In one case, my tiger set was missing a pillowcase. I tried to find a pillowcase with the credit and ended up purchasing a white tiger set. Right now, I have $13.59 credit, and I purchased three more mirrors for my computer stand so I can easily view my visitors, monitor when I am off the ventilator, look at my face, and look out the room window. I’ll be a House of Mirrors.

Belinda gave me a tip to help my two cherry tomato plants grow nicely. I’ll try more herbs because these are not looking good. I’m thirty Good Reads books ahead of schedule. I’m still working on publishing items. I’m getting good care these days, Miracle Man waters my plants and any other items I need in my room. My sister will bring the drawer labels to finish up the room organizing, my daughter will bring some foam for my flower arrangements, and my wife does a great job with baked items, healthy drinks, dips, and a host of little things. I’m doing my St Jude’s donations as appropriate, and I am on course for most of my goals.

I’m disabled, but I’m not depressed, despondent, or dead. I’m thankful and thriving. I found the happy side of life. What are some of the things you do to keep you happy? Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay. Simone de Beauvoir. Simplysaidbysimon, it is a great time for making great days with ALS – Amazing Looking Smiles.

Tomatoes

I’m the caregiver of two cherry tomato plants. The first three plants didn’t survive. Whether it was insufficient light or water, I really don’t know. I’m trying this time, hopefully learning from the first try. I now have the two plants in front of me. They were dying in my window.

Try, try, and try again. I’m giving the two cherry tomato plants grow lamp lighting and plant food. I’ll try not to let them get dried out from too much light or not enough water. It’s something to do and to focus on aside from my life’s experiences with ALS. If it’s true that we think about all day long, I will be a variety of pleasantries.

I have enjoyed my family pictures on the wall and crucifixes on top of the TV frame. Now, my herbs and tomatoes are attempting to survive in full view on my seven-foot end table. Sprinkled in are the artificial flowers and vines, $angel glass figurines, and an assortment of snacks. My mind is fed with things I enjoy.

What are your interests that bring joy to your day? I don’t think so much about if I will live. I am more focused on filling every day with the life I can enjoy. Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay. Simone de Beauvoir. Simplysaidbysimon, one day at a time, love the life that is yours to create. Make it a great day as an ALS – Awesome Loving Story. Thanks, Belinda.

Without Notice

I’m sorry for anyone just recently getting the life-changing diagnosis of some life-threatening disease. Sometimes, with no warning, we can find the threat of death knocking on our door. Some have no symptoms and wham, life is instantly altered.

Other people, have a long and drawn out search for the reason that their symptoms are gradually becoming worse. Then, whammy, the doctor gives it a name. You pick it, it’s never a good time for bad news. But having a good attitude fits all situations. I’m not suggesting you get all smiles over receiving the diagnosis of cancer. It is no small thing to learn that you have MS. I’m just putting out there that a positive attitude changes things positively.

Who you gonna call? Ghostbuster might not be the answer and better call Saul, he has changed his number to unlisted. I’m saying it’s a fight sometimes just to think clearly. But starting with a grateful thought that we’re still living and loving sure helps. I think I told you about my lions, and tigers, and bears, with wolves and elephants. I returned my items for credit to purchase a couple more animals. I just need to return one bear bedspread to get an elephant replacement and I am done with animals.

I’m using animals to remind me to be ferocious about staying alive. Don’t let the old man in, Simplysaidbysimon. ALS – Altered Living Style. Thanks, Jilliane, Belinda, and someone else.

It’s the little things

I’m getting three more animals for now. I’ll get a different lion, wolves, and maybe elephants if they are still there by the time my returns are credited. I’ll have a backup plan. It looks like I need that more and more. It’s tough being disabled and having to rely upon others. It’s even more difficult when your help doesn’t understand English very well.

I’m thinking I will pick up again learning Spanish and add the Philippine language. It will help my brain plasticity, and I will be able to communicate more effectively with my care providers.

What have you become interested in or started that’s new? I’m still learning about publishing and marketing my books. There is a lot to learn with self-publishing. We are doing well with the book audio format production process. I’m keeping my tomato plants alive. I’ll have to check on the herbs today. They’re on my window ledge.

Don’t allow the disease to predominantly be your focus. There is so much more of life to live. Maybe we are not set up to create beautiful glass-blowing artwork like Carol, but we can find our niche. The world is better with you still here and engaged in it Simplysaidbysimon. Make this ALS – A Spectacular Life.