Christopher Dior Simon's Blog, page 17

Get busy living

Otis Redding sang that he was sitting on the dock of the bay wasting time. Some have been given a tentative expiration period. I’m not accepting someone’s expectations about my life. I like what I read in the Ancient Book, “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. I don’t want a happy ending, I want more life.

Since we’re going to have a life until we don’t experience it any longer, make it a good life. I wake up usually hungry, happy, and horny. I’m hungry for physical food, but also I need to be fed spiritually. My appetite for life is unabated. Happy? For what; aren’t we still sick, disabled, and disfigured? Maybe so, but I am not discombobulated. Smile. Let me just keep breathing and I will work the rest of it out. I’m happy to be alive and horny. Meaning, I still have an attraction, drive, and desire that physical and spiritual food won’t satiate. Damn it or not, I am disabled but I am not dead! Let me not get my engine racing when I have no track to run on.

Whatever your passion is, find a way to pursue it. Waking up with a purpose and meaning for taking up space is more than half the battle Simplysaidbysimon. Go for it even when your get up and go has done got up and went. I crack myself up because I am self-medicated with laughter. ALS – Always Loving Sharing. Thanks, Vee.

Author of ALS: A Life Surrendered, Flowers of the Heart, Prayers: Simply Said By Simon, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease.

Tornado Lane

Tornado of torrential downpours of blessings Tuesday to you. Speaking of my current smiles, my wife’s lemon pound cake has tantalizingly tingled my taste buds. I am enjoying it so much that I ate some yesterday for all three snacks. Guess what? Jennifer said she would make two more. I’m dancing in my mind.

Yesterday, I gave Miracle Man one of the cakes. He has done a magnificent job with each of my room projects. He finished up mounting my door closer setup. I was tickled watching the surprise on the faces of some of the staff. I no longer have to constantly remind them to close my door. The rest of my items on the room remodeling are putting pictures on the walls.

It is the little things that make me excited to wake up in the morning. I give thanks for another day of opportunities to share life with those who are a part of my life. I made a few people smile when I gifted them some delicious lemon pound cake. One nurse said she’d take two pieces.

That is the example I want to leave with you today. This nurse was serving us on her last permanent position day. She was expectant that what I offered would taste good. So, running out of time and opportunities, she said, “I’ll take two.” I think it’s not time for us to relinquish our lives to death and dying. It’s time for us to double down and make the most of what is in front of us. See how many smiles you can create and be the catalyst for. I’m a witness; it still feels good.

It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. Tom Brokaw. Our life is the creation of our mind. Buddha. The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams. Oprah Winfrey.
Love one another as I have loved you. Jesus. Doing good does the doer good. Max Lucado. Simplysaidbysimon don’t think about what you’ve lost; focus on what you have altogether with ALS – Always Loving Smiles.

Author of ALS: A Life Surrendered, Flowers of the Heart, Prayers: Simply Said By Simon, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease.

Toronto Lane

Tornado of torrential downpours of blessings Tuesday to you. Speaking of my current smiles, my wife’s lemon pound cake has tantalizingly tingled my taste buds. I am enjoying it so much that I ate some yesterday for all three snacks. Guess what? Jennifer said she would make two more. I’m dancing in my mind.

Yesterday, I gave Miracle Man one of the cakes. He has done a magnificent job with each of my room projects. He finished up mounting my door closer setup. I was tickled watching the surprise on the faces of some of the staff. I no longer have to constantly remind them to close my door. The rest of my items on the room remodeling are putting pictures on the walls.

It is the little things that make me excited to wake up in the morning. I give thanks for another day of opportunities to share life with those who are a part of my life. I made a few people smile when I gifted them some delicious lemon pound cake. One nurse said she’d take two pieces.

That is the example I want to leave with you today. This nurse was serving us on her last permanent position day. She was expectant that what I offered would taste good. So, running out of time and opportunities, she said, “I’ll take two.” I think it’s not time for us to relinquish our lives to death and dying. It’s time for us to double down and make the most of what is in front of us. See how many smiles you can create and be the catalyst for. I’m a witness; it still feels good.

It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. Tom Brokaw. Our life is the creation of our mind. Buddha. The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams. Oprah Winfrey.
Love one another as I have loved you. Jesus. Doing good does the doer good. Max Lucado. Simplysaidbysimon don’t think about what you’ve lost; focus on what you have altogether with ALS – Always Loving Smiles.

Author of ALS: A Life Surrendered, Flowers of the Heart, Prayers: Simply Said By Simon, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease.

Acknowledge Kindness

I have a pound cake for Miracle Man today. I’m hoping he’ll be able to mount the door closer by the end of his day here. I’m adjusting to the insensitive people who keep leaving my door open by having a spring-loaded closer. I am so grateful for his willingness and compassion.

Earlier, I read Heart Matters by Dr Juanita Bynum and Staying Happy Being Productive by Dr Roger Hall. I’m five books ahead of my Good Reads schedule. Books help me to work on my character through the insights I receive from seasoned professionals.

The song says You can make it if you try. I am not sure that it’s a one-phrase-fits-all sentence. It is a make-it-work application for as long as you can. It’s hard, and every person’s journey is different.

Wisdom is oftentimes nearer when we stoop than when we soar. Williams Wordsworth. Out difficulties grow miracles. Jean de la Bruyere. In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one. H. L. Mencken. A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. Jack Dempsey. With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts. Eleanor Roosevelt. Simplysaidbysimon, smile, anytime and anywhere with ALS- A Loving Spirit. Thanks, Jillane.

Still in the fight

Congratulations. You have successfully traveled through a quarter of this year. For many, it’s been a difficult time and road. Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself. Thomas a Kempis. You have fought through the battles of discouragement, depression, loneliness, isolation, and the consequences of disease – disfigurement and pain.

I applaud you for being more of a winner than a whiner. There is no problem with venting sometimes. However, be mindful that we become what we think about and focus on. The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. Dalai Lama. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. Ancient Book. Striving for a grateful mind may take some effort. I can attest to it working for me.

If I can, let me encourage you to continue the good fight of faith, hope, and love. Some of your best days begin with today. Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. Rumi. Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama. You can find peace amidst the storms that threaten you. Joseph B. Wirthlin. Simplysaidbysimon, A will finds a way. Orison Swett Marden. ALS – Always Learning Simplysaidbysimon. Thanks, Jilliane.

Author of ALS: A Life Surrendered, Flowers of the Heart, Prayers: Simply Said By Simon, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease.

My Hero from Hell

Yes, Death and the Grave momentarily had Jesus in their clutches. They had halted, they thought, his speaking and healing ministries. His one-on-one meetings of reaching people where they were shut down, amusingly they surmised. The fear of them had sent the disciples scurrying for cover as they hid themselves. All was lost.

Well, that’s what our eyes would have seen. Don’t be obsessed with the obvious. You are, perhaps, in a Stranglehold by disease and dastardly conditions of your flesh. You may be on the brink of mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial bankruptcy. Don’t allow that to be the end of your story.

Early on the first day of the week, Jesus got up. All that Death and the Grave could heap on him, he shook off. Steadfastly secured, sacred sacrifice, our Savior got up. No longer in Death’s sleep, he is ready to now take his place as my conquering King. Jesus left the grave so that you and I could also rise above our temporal loss and seek and see eternity.

Death thought it was victor, but was vanquished in quick fashion by our Savior who now holds the keys to Death and the Grave. It’s the Master’s key because he will unlock and open up our graves one day and usher us into Eternal Life. No more to have meddlesome ALS to contend with; we’ll walk into Jerusalem just like John. Smile.

I must stop here. I hope I have whetted your appetite for the the good life. Our weeping may last, relatively speaking, for a night. But soon, one morning… Simplysaidbysimon, get ready to fly away without ALS – Always Living Scared.

Sleepover Saturday

Sleeping on Saturday, Jesus rested, awaiting the alarm clock of His Father’s affirming love. Justice and Mercy kissed at the cross. Jesus shook off his death clothes and ever lived to make intercession for us.

Oh, what a Savior! Romans
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35, 37 KJV. I am reminded during this period of remembering and reflecting upon what God sacrificed for my salvation that not even disease, disability, or death is able to separate me from God’s purpose, plan, and love for us.

Walk in the knowledge that God says to you, For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. KJV. This is power-packed to fuel and encourage me throughout my days and life. No matter what things look like right now, we have a promising future. Simplysaidbysimon, accept this perspective and receive not just strength for today but eternal life without the garments of these tired and worn out bodies. I’m getting a new mind now, and my new body will have to catch up with ALS – Angel’s Light Shining. Thanks, somebody.

TGIF

I am so glad that someone had a great way to frame mistreatment and his impending death by a mob of cruel, misguided, treacherous templegoers. Jesus never responded in kind to his accusers. His crime was that he was doing what no other had done in such great measures. He turned water into wine and multiplied a kid’s happy meal into enough to feed five thousand men, plus women and children. He healed the sick without a co-pay or appointment. He confounded the leadership and won the hearts of the masses. He paid taxes and encouraged others to do the same. All he ever did was love everybody.

What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man. And for all of this, they crucified him. But, before he died, he prayed for his murders. “Father, forgive them, for know not what they do.” I must remember that when the staff seems clueless at times. I have an excellent example of how to suffer in style and with purpose. Simplysaidbysimon, weeping may last for many nights, but joy is coming one morning after ALS – Awfully Long Stretches.

Can you dig it?

I am reading a lot more history. Of course, now that I am older and have read a lot of books on what transpired, I would be an Indian if we were playing Cowboys and Indians. Smile.

This morning, I read Life-Changing, Cross-Cultural Friendships by Gary Chapman. It was a good look into some of the important dynamics of our difficulties and advantages when getting to know people unlike us. The illustrations and stories are insightful and helpful in improving our overall understanding of different cultures. Pointedly, it’s suggested that it won’t come by casual interactions, but an understanding of each other is through knowledgeable friendships. Up close and very personal.

We don’t know what we don’t know. I’m thankful that I have personal knowledge and experience of having a disease. It’s made my perspective much more in alignment with what some people are going through. I know just a tiny fraction, and I can tell you that it can be a living hell. I like what someone from across the waters said: “If you are going through hell, keep going.” Winston Spencer Churchill.

This weekend is a peek at the prism of many who believe that after the hell of our diseases, conditions, and experiences of life: death, divorce, bankruptcy of health, and wealth, we can keep going. I’ll stop here because I don’t want to raise the hair on some folks’ backs. I’ll just say, He is risen. Enough said. Do what works for you. You need a parachute for your executive job. You and I definitely need one for the exit plan of this life. Simplysaidbysimon, work it, work it with ALS – A Loving Savior. Thanks to every person who said this.

Author of ALS: A Life Surrendered, Flowers of the Heart, Prayers: Simply Said By Simon, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease.

What’s the Holdup?

Miracle Man adjusted my mirrors so that I could see more easily the people who would sit in the two chairs. Great. Now I have one more mirror to adjust for the window view. Jennifer left me more zucchini bread. Whoo-hoo. It will be lemon pound cake next week. I definitely no longer have eating or weight concerns. I’m probably four pounds heavier. I’ll have the staff weigh me today.

I’m progressing more slowly than I like, or that’s normal for me. It’s like I am in a temporary funk. Possibly, it is a letdown after reaching some of my goals. Or, maybe my plateau is the result of a sustained push for so long. Whatever the reason, I have got to get it into gear and burn some rubber. There are a lot more miles on this journey.

How are you doing with your detours, road bumps, and traffic jams? Disease and disabling conditions will try to mess up our journey of life and our lifestyles. We must do things differently, and sometimes more slowly than we’re accustomed to, but keep it moving. You’ll get through the aftermath of the devastation detour called diagnoses. You will get over the road bumps and potholes of lost abilities. Possibly, you will be grateful for the standstill plateau when nothing is getting worse.

I applaud you for staying in our motorcade of miraculous men and women. Maybe it is a race against mortality. How much road and experiences can we get in before our traveling days are over? The Ancient Book says the race isn’t won by the quick, nor is the battle victors for the strong. But, rather, we just have to hold out until our end, whenever that is. One day at a time, Baby. That’s all I’m asking of you Simplysaidbysimon. ALS – A Lasting Soldier. Thanks, Jilliane. Don’t count the days make the days count. Mohammad Ali.

Author of ALS: A Life Surrendered, Flowers of the Heart, Prayers: Simply Said By Simon, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease.