Christopher Dior Simon's Blog, page 15

By Invitation Only

Miracle Man went through my curtains, bedspreads, pillowcases, and table runner drawers. I’m now organized and ready for my last deliveries of animal bedspreads and curtains.

Unfortunately, I have one blue with prints pillowcase bleached almost white, and two other pillowcases lost or misplaced. Or thrown away because they bleached them. Oh well, that’s life. I don’t get upset over things I can control, because if I can control them there’s no sense in getting upset. And I don’t get upset over things I can’t control, because if I can’t control them there’s no sense in getting upset. Mickey Rivers.

Stress is a killer. I have learned to not feel bad about doing what works for me. You have a life; do what works for you and allows you to sleep well at night. I’m loving life, particularly my life. Everyone won’t be invited to my party. No downers, no messes, and no negative folks are allowed. I believe the Surgeon General would agree that they are hazardous to our lives. Live and let live is Simplysaidbysimon. Choose to have life your way with ALS – Always Loving Sunshine. Thanks, Belinda.

Satisfaction is nice

Working hard Wednesday. I’ll be on my projects today and listening for quality on my audio books. What is your plan today? Do you have any projects or activities going on that require your focus, and creative generation? I’m learning new things and ways.

My room room project is completed. I have added a couple more bedspreads and curtains with animal prints of lions and tigers. I must find some bears – oh, my. I’ll focus on distribution and creating excellent products of books in all formats.

Disability can be a hard pill to swallow. Losing your abilities and independence may drive some to difficult choices. Everyone is different and I have normalized to this is the new me. I utilize the current technology to communicate, and control my room’s devices of fan, phone, lights, listening and viewing devices of a surround sound system, TV, projector, electronic picture frame, and wireless window blinds that I am still working on.

I’m comfortable and enjoy the sights, sounds, and air freshener smells of my room. I’m satisfied. I continue with physical therapy, and I move whatever I can still make a move with. My food snacks are convenient for the people who feed me. My G-tube provides the ingredients necessary for health and weight management.

I suspect all of my baked goods, soups, Ritz Crackers, and dip will push me back above 175. I would not be upset if I got back to 185. This is my previous weight when I still was walking in place and leaning my butt on the bed two or three times a day. I’m not convinced I won’t recover some of this. I’m not giving up, and I won’t give in to this dreadful disease. I’m trying to encourage you to do you. You’re still in there. Where’s the beef? Simplysaidbysimon is asking? I believe you’ve still got it! ALS – Always Listen Spiritually. Thanks, Jilliane.

Stand

Tactical Tuesday transforming trials to testimonies. Lifting up Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we give thanks.

Open up your toolbox and pull out gratitude and gratefulness. I concur with people like Viktor Frankl who promoted how changing our thoughts will change what and how we see things. Also, the Ancient Book states as a man thinks, so is he. You and I are the creators of our worlds. This mental prism, perspective, and framing have the power to change our brains to default to positive thoughts, emotions, and actions. I love it.

I’m not suggesting that we candy-coat our experiences. They are damnably hard. It’s reasonable for some of us to want to throw in the towel. No mas, no mas. I’ve been there. And, except for my darling daughter asking, “Daddy, are you giving up?” I would have continued my defeatist attitude and thought process.

I’m a witness to how dark our paths may look if we look ahead at what possibilities are on the road in front of us. I’m also an advocate for the continuation of life and the joys and struggles. I love the moments of precious new memories I have allowed my family and friends to participate with me. I’m going on seven years after I was ready to give up. Thanks, daughter, for shaking some sense into me with your question. I’m not a quitting type. I have never been and don’t expect to become one soon.

I am beginning to gather end-of-life information for those who desire otherwise. Everyone is different, and I respect your decision. No guilt trip or shaming here. It’s a personal perspective and preference for you and those you love. You will be missed. When we run out of gas and no longer want a refill, it’s based on our unique experience. Simplysaidbysimon, I would that you are of a mind to go a little further in the battle, but I respect you enough to let go to ALS – Amazing Last Stand.

What Time Is It?

After several decades of being a time fanatic; time to wake up, go to work, pick up your child, time for dinner, time to watch TV, and time to bed, I have no more time fixations. I sleep when sleepy, I eat when hungry, and I barely watch TV.

I don’t wear a watch – can’t raise my arms. But, also, I have no where to go, and no time to be anywhere. Still, I am aware of time. More than what is in my financial portfolio, I treasure my time. Similar to my watching the YouTube condensed version of sports highlights, I think I have entered the whittled down version of the use of time.

Life, it appears, is measured in meaningful and memorable moments. I’m making more of those and excluding the fluff. People matter, and some are more meaningful and memorable to my existence. I’m loving life. Everyone is different. While I am squeezing every bit of life’s precious moments into my joyful experiences, sometimes others have decided their time is up. Life, for them, is unbearable.

I’m always taken back to my volunteer experience on the Crisis Text Line. I’d be exhausted emotionally after doing mental gymnastics to find an avenue to bring the texter to a moment of clarity or vision where they could see past their dilemma and want to end the pain of living. I’m still looking for additional opportunities to help individuals reach deep and find whatever is necessary to desire to continue on. Everyone is different.

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. James Baldwin. Simplysaidbysimon, you make the choice, but I am choosing ALS- Amazing Lord-given Strength.

Who Knows?

Are you trying to figure out your ALS? Good luck with that. First, and vitally important, everyone is different. You can not base your condition on anything or compare it to anyone. Sometimes there is a plateau. No changes. Other times, there is a rapid advancement. I subscribe to Just Live, Baby.

Definitely, do all you have done, but I am not yet convinced that there is clarity on which element makes the difference in a case study. Was it anointing, prayers, supplements, protein shots, or following the regimen of a Herbalist? I have done none of that other than trust in God. That is my coping mechanism. Other people had the same trust and died within a couple of years.

I can’t adjust your worries or anxiety, but I find books like The Power of Neuro-Plasticity, by Shad Helmsetter very instructive in changing our brains to respond differently.

Stay engaged with your involvement. May you be blessed with a long and productive life. I joke and say my treatment for ALS was pizza, ice cream, and sex with my wife. I’m going on fifteen years after diagnosis. I’m still convinced that what makes a difference is having an appetite for food and for life. I’m sold on treating myself to what is sweet and pleasurable to me. It adds excitement. And having an enjoyable relationship with someone is priceless.

Don’t fixate on your disease or condition. Focus on what is or can be positive for you. Duke University associates have submitted that 50-plus people have reversed ALS. Maybe so, I don’t know. I do know that I have this moment. In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin.

With my moments today I will finish reading Outdated by Jonathan JP Pokluka, and All the Money in the World by Laura Vanderkam. I’ll write, proof audio recording, and eat some banana nut bread. Simplysaidbysimon keep on keeping on ALS – Annihilating Looming Speculations.

I offended one of the staff recently. She occasionally je...

I offended one of the staff recently. She occasionally jerked my arms during a range of motion, shouted, and generally acted in nonhelpful manners. After one of these actions, I responded by saying she acts as though she has a dumb demon. She told the director that I called her a dumb demon. When I was approached by the director, I clarified that I had only said that she acted as if she had a dumb demon. I gave many of the examples of her behavior. I did say that she’s just stupid on occasion.

I find it peculiar how I can not be understood when I ask for the urinal, suction, or range of motion, but the seldom used word demon could be understood. Who do we act like? It seems that I remember someone being told, “You are of your father, the devil.”

Today I will focus on heavenly dialog and skill level appropriate requests. It will work out with two registry and… I have a brighter spot with a visit from my wife with her goodies. I’ll thrive.

I get plenty of word practice and retraining my brain for the thoughts, emotions, actions and reactions I want for my life. I have the wherewithal to keep things on a positive note and in a good direction. It is much easier to act like a Christian than it is to react like one. Mark Batterson.

Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding about ourselves. Carl Jung. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Joseph B. Wirthlin. People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them. Epictetus. I can see clearly now Simplysaidbysimon, and I am charting my course for higher ground with an ALS – Appealing Loving Spirit.

Greater Works

Steadfastly Secured Sunday, Jesus was raised to live evermore. Now, at the right hand of the Father, as our mediator and substitute, makes intercession for our sins. As he rose, the aftermath of his life’s work on earth, I, too, am raised to a newness of life.

Pentecost is just the beginning of the outpouring of Holy Spirit. We are endowed, empowered, and enlisted to do greater work. Don’t you feel the tugging, nudging, and gentle push to live for God’s glory?

Spread the good news that Jesus died so that we could have life more abundantly in 2024. It seems as though it was just the other day we were talking about the events of 2K. We’re a quarter finished with this century; let’s live large and in the fullness of God’s grace given to us on Calvary.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God before hath ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV.

I have a replica of the three crucifixes on top of my TV frame. They remind me of the love and power, the persistent passion of God to save me. Simplysaidbysimon, Hallelujah. ALS – A Love Supreme.

Don’t Look Back

I have a water dispenser with hot water. This is what I have: Aahana’s Millet & Lentil Bowl, Aahana’s Masala Rice & Lentil, Aahana’s Mung Beans and Rice Bowl, Potato and Leek Cup A Soup, Cream of Vegetables Cup A Soup. I mention this not because it’s interesting, but because I keep adjusting for what I can do and eat.

I’m listening to Christine’s book Don’t Look Back. We have lost a lot that we may never recover. Let’s keep looking forward and finding ways to do what we can. Disease and disability are just hurdles on our cross-country run. I’m figuring it out as I go, & and I’m not assuming that I can not do something. I’m constantly looking for what I can do next and finding ways to make it happen. Yes, we used to do it by ourselves. That was then; this is now. Simplysaidbysimon and Walt Disney say I believe in being an innovator. ALS – Adjusting Life Styles. Thanks, Jilliane.

Fail Forward

This morning I am listening to Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to Do? by Jonathan JP Pokluda. If I put the lessons learned from the previous two books on the plasticity of the brain and forming new thoughts and brain pathways, it all makes sense. Life has its challenges, but we can get over, through, or around them with a few adjustments.

No wonder I am happy almost all of the time. Somehow, I stumbled into a lifestyle that is immersed in these teaching techniques and mode of operation. Don’t worry;be happy was my theme before it was a song. I remember being in a meeting with coworkers. Many of them were extremely concerned about the quota we had to make or be fired. I just laughed and said that I already have covered the worst thing that can happen to me.

That’s right; if I die, I will have already worked out my eternal life. If I get fired, I’ll probably find a better job. Until I am hired by someone, I will just be on a forced vacation. Whoo-hoo. It’s all in how you look at it. 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.

All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. Ellen Glasgow. Simplysaidbysimon make sure your thoughts are taking you where you want to go as ALS- Avoid Living Speedily. Thanks, Jillane.

A brain upgrade

I just finished listening to The Power of Neuro-Plasticity, by Dr. Shad Helmsetter. He presents these seven items to change our brains positively.

1 Mindfulness
2 Choices
3 Intention
4 Focus
5 Repetition
6 Emotions
7 Beliefs

I’m often saddened by my interactions with people who have limited resources materially or sufficient information. They wander lost and overwhelmed by it all. It’s understandable. I’m working to have suggestions for coping mechanisms and a toolbox of information. Mainly, knowing who to turn to for what is a good start.

I’m amassing many books that are helpful, like the above book. When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor Frankl. Simplysaidbysimon, if you want more, open up to receive to find ALS – At Last Success. Thanks, Jillane.