Christopher Dior Simon's Blog, page 7

Sticking Together

Masterful Monday with Miracle Man and the God-Man helping me realize more goals.

Jennifer brought me some banana nut bread, lemon blueberry pound cake, dip, drinks, and flowers.

I’m thankful for a Facebook friend who gifted me a sheepskin for my chair and bed. I ask for the reason for this kindness. She said we must stick together. That is true; none know the different difficulties of the disease that initiated malady, and each of us suffers.

It’s tough to experience the cruelty of caregivers’ negligence and convey the frustration of their neglect. Or how excited we become to receive reliable care that we can depend upon. It is no big deal for most people to get out of bed. However, for many of us, transferring our dysfunctional bodies into a wheelchair can become a daunting process and task. Going to the bathroom becomes a major issue.

Let’s not talk about the access to some buildings or how the parking for the differently able have their parking space obstructed or misused. Yes, Michelle, there is strength in numbers who understand. We are not alone. Challenging the meaning of life is the truest expression of the state of being human. Viktor E Frankl. It’s meaningful to share similar perspectives.

Simplysaidbysimon, make it a beautiful day by understanding what someone else is going through with ALS – Always Listening Simon. Thanks, Jilliane.

I’m loving the joy you spread

My room is slowly becoming the happening place. I have a candy dish, baked items, upbeat messages posted, sometimes a smile that will brighten most days, good music, and, for now, a gift from Michelle on one of my recliner chairs. One of the staff teasingly asked if she could come take her breaks on the sheepskin. You were right, Michelle, I can’t wait to get my butt on it.

Yeah, I may be old, and I might barely move due to disease, but my butt knows what is a good thing. There’s just no butts about it; this sheepskin is mine. Excuse me, but would you roll my butt on top of my gift. Thanks again, Michelle, and everyone who goes the extra mile to make some disease-worn and tired butt happy.

I have been enjoying the thought of how easily we can make someone smile. Do what you can to brighten the environment where you are. Simplysaidbysimon, wherever you can, whenever you can, do what you can, can.

The home is the chief school of human virtues. William Ellery Channing. Don’t forget to love yourself. Soren Kierkegaard. Love cures people – both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it. Karl A. Meninger. ALS – Always Loving Simon. Thanks, Jilliane, Belinda, Bena, Vee, and all the others. Even you, Michelle. Smile.
Fellas, can I get an “I love you, Man?”

Help Me Help You While You’re Helping Me

I’m finished with the two books on forgiveness. I will borrow two more books on the topic, write a few pages, and take a nap. I hope that your day will be good.

My wife finished baking me a banana nut bread loaf and muffins. She made enough for the staff to have lemon blueberry pound cake and banana nut bread. But then she emailed me a note and picture saying, “Just for you.”

I don’t know if you feel special, but you are. Let me confirm and count the ways. You may not hear it often enough. You are special. You’re the only one like you, says Barney. You have tenacity when others may have let go. Your strength is both in what you’ve endured and what you have achieved. Despite the bad hand, you’re still in the game of life. By making it this far, you’re a winner. What did you win? Another day in the lives of those you love and those who love you. You won another episode of As the World Turns. Your show has not been canceled. So, don’t you give up Simplysaidbysimon. Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well. Josh Billings. When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. Viktor Frankl. We have all the light we need, we just need to put it in practice. Albert Pike. ALS – Appetizingly Looking Sweet. Thanks, Gwen.

I’m reaching down deep to fly high

Scaled back Saturday, stealing away from Jesus. Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. What a friend we have in Jesus.

Have a great day, and don’t forget to take your problems to God in prayer. There is somebody bigger than you and me to help us with our diseased and complicated lives. Call it what you will, but I need help. Give it to me; I can’t do it alone.

Celebrate life with me. I’m not religious, but I am solidly living life with every breath I take and every move I make. What is your song to help you to carry on? My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness. Dalai Lama. Let your smile be the treasure of someone’s day. Chris Simon. We aim above the mark to hit the mark. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Simplysaidbysimon, wherever you are, there you be. Make it a beautiful and better place today. ALS – Another Light Shines. Thanks, Jilliane

Forward Thinking Friday

I praise God for every incremental blessing of project attainment and completion. I’ll claim more goals to be manifested.

I completed the book Protect Your Peace: Nine Unapologetic Principles to Thrive in a Chaotic World this morning. It echoes my thoughts about dysfunctional people who are toxic in our lives. I appreciate the thoroughness with which Trent combs his routine, removing the negative and replacing it with positive life habits.

You have overcome much in battling the disease. Elevating the positive and eliminating the negative are monumental navigation logistics in this journey. You can do it.

Nothing can be done except little by little. Charles Baudelaire. Do or don’t do; there is no try. Yoda. Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy. Saadi. What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything? Vincent Van Gogh. Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. Steve Jobs. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. Confucius.

Begin again. We are nearing the halfway point of our year. It is time for assessment and realignment. Let us follow through with the second half of our year. Simplysaidbysimon, give it your best available effort with ALS – Awesome Lord Saving. Thanks, Jilliane.

Tremendously Thankful Thursday

Tremendously Thankful Thursday

What, Thursday already? I’m tremendously blessed to have enjoyed proofing yesterday, planting flowers, painting the door closer, attaching the whiteboard to the wall, reading two books, and publishing progress.

I have the capability of the camera and blinds left to sync to my computer and shorten the dresser legs for additional counter space.

I was informed that the new director of nurses is strict about accountable performance. I love it. We are okay with being marginally good; this management involvement will greatly improve us. Thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes. Our day will come, and we’ll have everything…

I can’t say when or how long it will take, but don’t give up; hold on. Your day will come. Learn what you are working with and who they are. Some may have maxed out on ability, and getting frustrated with them won’t help. Figure out how to best survive their care. Some days I have to over simplify things to just wipe eyes, give me the urinal, please, and range of motion. I’m blessed to have an optional G-tube for feeding. Work it, work it Simplysaidbysimon. ALS – Always Leaving Smiles. You cannot shake hands with a clinched fist. Indira Gandhi.

It Hurts Really Bad

No matter who we think we are and used to be, loss hurts like something from Hell. We possibly go through the stages parallel with a person grieving the loss of a loved one. We did lose someone; we lost the self we knew to be. It will take a long while for most of us to find or create a new person after we experience the disease.

I often receive comments about how well I have adjusted. Remember, we are all different and will experience disease differently. There is no perfect way to go through this journey. Even though I have been on this road for almost fifteen years, I don’t know it all. In fact, I have experienced very little of the plethora of ways to respond to disease. Simply said by Simon, it is what it is, and it’s different for each of us.

What are the five grief responses? Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance may be what you are traveling through. Others suggested this is wrong and there are more responses and roads to travel. ALS – A Lasting Strength may not be physical. Dig deep and find out what else you have in you. Footholds turn into strongholds, so reminds Levi Lusko.

Simple Miracles

It’s a taken-for-granted experience to be able to chew food and swallow. I dare to point out that the phenomenal pleasure of taste is immeasurably important. I have lost both, and I am excited to have regained some degree of masticating.

The many incremental losses have been cruel and devastating. How gruesome was my agony to lose my mobility and to frantically scurry about to find my substitute called a wheelchair? Though welcomed, it pales compared to standing on my own two feet. I don’t want to increase your despair. I want to raise your mindfulness of your many abilities and blessings.

However long-lasting they are, be grateful that you have some of the many practical and useful resources, such as functional feet and fingers. How about giving thanks for strength? I remember grieving the loss of the ability to raise a glass of drink to my mouth and becoming good friends with the straw.

All of these recollections would be an endless mental stroll down Depletion Drive, except that I am too busy traveling up Adjustments Avenue. Whatever disease has taken, I have gained monumental access to a world of appreciation. Entering with enthusiasm, my focus is on utilizing what is left. Use it and lose it later by using it now.

I am advocating that we live more and more in the moment. It’s okay to hope for a better day Simplysaidbysimon, but it is far more important to make today better. Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay. Simone de Beauvoir. The wish for healing has always been the half of health. Lucius Annaeus Seneca. Being grateful for what you have is also a large part of mental and physical health. Praise; ALS – Awesome Lasting Sounds. Thanks, Gwen.

What ya gonna do?

People tell us all the time who they are. Watch what they do, not so much what’s coming out of their mouths. Unfortunately, we have a difficult time changing our minds. We keep trying to make them into what we have previously thought about them. Sometimes, they just won’t do right.

There are not many people like my best friend. Miracle Man, my wife, my daughter, and my sister are my world of making it happen, people. Other folk may mean well. When you are disabled, good intentions don’t work very well. The best way to predict your future is to create it. Abraham Lincoln. The best indicator of what people will do is what they have done.

I’m excited about my day today, and each day I have breath. I’m looking forward to growing physically beautiful flowers, and making awesome mental pictures. Simplysaidbysimon, make it a beautiful day. Today, I will finish two projects. Tuesday, my daughter will bring and plant flowers. I’ll try to grow impatiens in my room next. Grow something beautiful today as an ALS- A Loving Spirit. Thanks, Jillane.

The best part of waking up

Super Sunday and setting the pace for the rest of the week of my normal activities.

I’m looking forward to my wife and daughter visiting with me. Their visits often are attended with requested items and or services. There are so few who I can count upon and I have tried to decrease my asking them for help. What is a person to do?

I choose a full life filled with meaningful connections. I have read several people describe it as my ministry. It definitely is a part of who I am. ALS hasn’t changed me, but it has altered my ways of expression.

What are some things you are passionate about? What is most fulfilling and adds meaning to your life and enjoyment of waking up? Treasure your relationships, not your possessions. Anthony J. D’Angelo. The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity. Leo Tolstoy. An effort made for the happiness of others lifts above ourselves. Lydia M. Child.

Do you open your eyes and say, Oh God, I am still alive? Or do you wake up and gratefully say, Oh God, I’m still alive. Whether we have a spiritual belief or not, being thankful is elevating Simplysaidbysimon. ALS – Adjusting Life Successfully. Thanks, Jilliane.