Christopher Dior Simon's Blog, page 20

You Decide

I had a day of accomplishments. My Miracle Man did what I wanted a CNA to do and matched up my bedspreads and pillowcases. I’ll ask him to look at my blinds and see if he can figure out if the batteries or motors are reversed. We will do this Wednesday. I will have the various curtains put away by color and type. I have about twelve of them.

I’ll straighten up the room and find homes for stragglers. I enjoy my space and the convenience of being self-contained. One staff member was attempting to say I had a day of accomplishments. My Miracle Man, Farzad, did what I wanted you to do and matched up my bedspreads and pillowcases. I’ll ask him to look at my blinds and see if he can figure out if the batteries or motor is reversed. We will do this Wednesday. Also, I will have the various curtains put away by color and type. I have about twelve of them. I had a day of accomplishments. My Miracle Man did what I wanted a CNA to do and matched up my bedspreads and pillowcases. I’ll ask him to look at my blinds and see if he can figure out if the batteries or motors are reversed. We will do this Wednesday. Also, I will have the various curtains put away by color and type. I have about twelve of them.

I’ll straighten up the room and find homes for stragglers. I enjoy my space and the convenience of it being self-contained. One staff member was attempting to change the time on my clocks. I was happy to direct her to use the ladder behind the recliner chair. I have many practical tools for all of my activities and projects. I even have an auger attachment for my drill to make holes to plant bulbs. I have plans for my indoor and outdoor flowers and vegetable garden.

I have mentioned some of my involvement occasionally. You have your own interests. The trick is to get on with life and living. Don’t let your dreams and life waste away. Be all that you can be isn’t just a military recruitment commercial. You are an All-Star. Shine.

You already have within you everything you need to turn your dreams into reality. Wallace D Wattles. What we really are matters more than what other people think of us. Jawaharlal Jehru. The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Simplysaidbysimon ALS – Another Learning Session. Thanks, Belinda.

Give Thanks

I’m surrounded by thoughtless, mindless, and clueless people. I work hard every day to maintain my health, attitude, and desire to live. Some can’t think, see, or follow instructions.

Do I work? Have mercy I work harder than anyone should have to just to stay alive. Am I grateful? Every day, I give thanks. You see, I have been left with no response for over five hours. I have been forgotten while sitting on the portable commode multiple times. My ventilator tubing had been accidentally removed, and the staff didn’t have the awareness to know I could not breathe or what the alarm meant. I have had my ventilator unplugged, and the backup battery was saving me and alerting me to the fact that it wasn’t plugged in.

Yes, these and other situations I have worked through. My nerves have been worked. My patience is usually working overtime. Yeah, brothers and sisters, on this journey, I count it all joy to wake up each and every day with a mind alert enough to make up for the deficiencies of those who are paid for my care. It’s my life. I am happy to keep saving it and working for another day to be me. I’m stronger, more creative, more patient, more determined, and more appreciative of the opportunity to have a life because of these people. What can I say? I can do all things… Simplysaidbysimon gotta pray just to make it today. Or, maybe it was Hammer. Either way, ALS – A Lasting Survivor. Thanks, Jilliane.

Content

Content

Happy Sunday. I’m satisfied with this past week of writing, reading, eating, corresponding, finishing up my room remodeling project, and beginning new publishing activities. I look forward to this new week, much like my eagerness to devour my next Snicker Doodles Cookie.

I’m imagining a week filled with days and moments of enjoyable and fulfilling adventures and accomplishments. I hope for you some good company, food, music, aspirations, and achievements. I wish you good care so that you don’t have to give much thought to it.

Most of all, I want each of us to have an attitude of gratitude. Mindsets that will make the most of the environment, service, and opportunities available are in my goodwill bag for you. Use and make of it what you will, but be satisfied with your choices. Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. Rumi. To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders. Lao Tzu. If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it. Muhammad Ali. Simplysaidbysimon, go for it with ALS – A Light Sharing. Thanks, Gwen

Very Busy Room

I’m thankful that I sent a picture of my room to someone I have known for a long time. Her response nailed it accidentally. What I mean is that she accurately described my room as being very busy. I have pictures, plants, posters, signs, lamps on the walls, electronic picture frames, a TV, fans, vegetables and grow lamps, snacks, a table, dressers, speakers, tools, books, and curtains. Let’s not forget the 27 angels that can light up.

I have well-placed pictures of people and experiences that remind me of so many blessings that I have now and that I have experienced. My room includes the comfort of two reclining chairs, an air freshener, and a surround-sound bar and speakers to provide great sights, sounds, and smells.

But there are better and most crucial busyness and business that I conduct in my space. I’m busy communicating with hurting hearts and burdened minds through my tablet, phone, and books. I’m in touch with those on this planet, but my most important busyness are my intergalactic calls and conversations.

I’m grateful that my room is not stagnant nor void of meaningful happenings. Crowded, for sure. I have but one room and life. I intend to maximize this time and space that will usher me into an experience where I have endless time and opportunities to learn, love, and be loved.

Disabled? What is that exactly? I have an altered existence that, in some ways, has made me more determined than ever. I’m losing myself in the new abilities of touching lives and developing new talents. While I am enjoying my choices, I am encouraging you to explore the you that is waiting to become. The most powerful thing that you can do to change the world is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people, reality, to something more positive, and to begin to act accordingly. Jay Shetty. Simplysaidbysimon agrees with Yoda. Do or don’t do; there is no try. Life is a sum of all your choices. Albert Camus. Doing good does the doer good. Max Lucado. May you live all the days of your life. Jonathan Swift. ALS – A Lovely Spread. Thanks, Belinda.

Fantastic Friday

Fulfilled Friday to you. I’m catching up with my tasks, and I will have Miracle Man organize a few items today. Don’t be jealous, but it’s not 6:00 AM, and I just had some Snicker Doodles Cookies delivered.

I think I will make a Bill Cosby amendment to his cake for breakfast. Smile. I’ll have Lisa’s delicious and delightful delicacies. Calories be damned. As an ALS resident, I’m sure I might get the Dietitian to give me a thumbs up on the creative weight-gaining procedure. Smile. Maybe I can share a couple of cookies with her.

It’s important to keep our lives interesting and enjoyable. Receiving packages from those we love, such as TEMU and Amazon, is very encouraging. Well, I am finished with my room project. I’m moving to full-speed writing and publishing. My fifth Amazon and Kindle book will be ready for your review this month. Let me know if you would like to receive a free pre-publication copy in exchange for your honest book review on Amazon.

I have learned a ton and have quite a bit to execute. Diseases don’t have to slow us down. All hands on deck. We can do this. Simplysaidbysimon we are doing this ALS – Always Loving Simon. Thanks, Vee.

Count it all Joy

It has been a long while since I have made general comments concerning my care. If you are in a facility, have someone coming to your home, and have to depend upon the whims of others, I don’t have to say much. You know the frustrations of working with the uneducated, unskilled, and under-motivated. It’s endless. I don’t mention them because they are like meddlesome flies or mosquitoes. You know God has a purpose for them but have no clue what it is.

Rather than spending a lot of time on those who have yet to master closing the door, I will focus on the Allstars. I have people who are consistent, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and who make my life pleasant and comfortable. I can’t say it enough, “I appreciate you!” And the best that I can, I will keep the pressure on management to manage. They do you a disservice when they allow staff members to have poor attendance and performance. From a resident’s perspective, our care is sacrificed to have someone on the books. No, dear misguided manager, you are understaffed whether they come to work or call in with their multitude of excuses.

Cuddos to the reliable and stellar staff members who show up, know, and do their jobs. I can’t provide achievement pins or candy enough to indicate your value. Good job. Until you’re better paid, please know that I think of all you contribute when I say in Gomer Piles’ voice, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Please close my door. Every time.

No one can figure out your worth but you. Pearl Bailey. Simplysaidbysimon you are one in a million. ALS – Always Listening Simon. Thanks, Jilliane.

Word Power

I’m not able to talk; however, my tablet can text-to-speech my messages. I can do Zoom or Google Meet when invited. I now use my gift of gab to post messages and write books. I will not feel sorry for myself on the way to multiple best sellers.

I’m a recent author. In January, I published four daily devotional books. I plan to publish one more this month and one in July.

I’ll not waste my time wishing that I could still function as I did before this disease diminished my former abilities. Instead, I have learned to do things differently. The best achievements are yet to come.

Think about it. How have you become a better person due to the challenges of your disease or condition? Having a default attitude of gratitude has made me more than able to conquer all of the negativity associated with being diagnosed with ALS. I live with thankfulness and an expectation that something good will happen to me, for me, and through me.

It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them. Benjamin Franklin. Create the you worth living. Your best is now becoming. The most powerful thing that you can do to change the world is to change your own beliefs about the nature of life, people, reality, to something more positive, and to begin to act accordingly. Jay Shetty. Simplysaidbysimon, speak the life you want into reality with ALS – Always Love Successfully. Thanks, Belinda.

It keeps getting better

My experience just keeps getting better. I’m enjoying wrapping up my room remodeling. I have a few pictures to swap; three are left to mount on the wall. I still have one planter stand, air fryer, and marbles to be delivered. My bookholders came this time and needed to be more transparent. So, I will have them replaced. One nurse needs more air when caring for me, so I may order a fan with some of my refund money. I’ll let you know when I start planting more vegetables.

How are things going for me? Good. I’m selling books to people who come into my room. Yesterday, the technician who drew my blood, bought two books.

I was blessed to make contact with another couple who are experiencing the rough ride of this demonic disease of ALS. We are a band of brothers and sisters who know only too well the tumultuous tide of their trials. Please send your good wishes and hopes for A and M.

On another page, I have friends from college who are in the ring with cancer. We are troubled on every side, but we are not without hope. We have an anchor that keeps the soul. Steadfast and sure while the billows roll… I’m fastened to the rock that cannot move. I love this song, and I enjoy even more the reality that I can’t be shaken by ALS. Simplysaidbysimon, I am grounded, firm, and sure in the Savior’s love. ALS- Appreciating Lasting Security.

Flying High

Yes, I am soaring. My wife told me she would bring me some fried okra this week. I think I told you I bought an air fryer. I also have a popcorn-making machine.

I’ll have several more picture frames, bookholders, and flowers on the walls. I am excited to grow some things in my indoor gardening experience. I’ll try some herbs next.

Yesterday, I also signed off on two fifteen-minute samples for two audio books – ALS: A Life Surrendered, and Imminent Death: Living with a Terminal Disease. In a couple more months, I should be almost caught up in producing all five books in every format. Oh yeah, please welcome William, the voiceover and personality of the audio. He is good if you are interested in producing something.

My room is coming to a close of space, money, and ideas for now. I will let you know after I get the delivery of my eight planters stand. It does not seem like I have any limitations I can’t overcome. If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it. Muhammad Ali. Do or don’t do; there is no try. Yoda Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well. Josh Billings. Simplysaidbysimon, don’t throw away your hand. I’m sensing ALS – A Salubrious Spirit.

How happy will we choose to be?

I’m definitely engaged in my reading and writing marathon. Also, Miracle Man returned yesterday and placed some additional artificial flowers. I will have to wait until I receive the photo reprints to mount the rest of the new picture frames. My walls are now full of treasures – memories of people I love and who helped me create my life. Some of these people gave me a part of their lives.

Well, I have put two more picture frames up, arranged more artificial flowers, and cleared out some space by my crackers, cookies, and candy. I also sent over three manuscript copies for my audio version of the published books.

I’m awake and reading. Later, I will prepare for my afternoon Bible study on prayers in Psalms. I have quickly grown to appreciate these connections and thoughts received and given by these beautiful minds. Last week, I was asked to prepare a prayer, and guess what? I have included this prayer in my Prayers Simply Said by Simon Volume 2:

Work it. Work it. What are you waiting for? There is no time like now. I’m investing several thousand dollars in making my dreams become reality. I appreciate each of you who is spreading the word that we can have a good life even with a Terminal Disease. I’m a witness; we don’t need to leave our rooms or beds to have adventure.

Whether our fear is absolutely realistic or out of proportion in our minds, our greatness refuge is Jesus Christ. Luci Swindoll. Either you run the day or the day runs you. Jim Rohn. Nothing liberates our greatness like the desire to help, the desire to serve. Marrianne Williamson. Simplysaidbysimon and Abraham Lincoln, you can be as happy as you make up your mind to be by ALS – Always Live Successful. Thanks, Jilliane.