I still spent all day in my pajamas and didn't do much, but today was a really good day.
I felt good. I didn't have any pain. I was alert and talkative and generally felt like myself, only touched with a little bit of tiredness. Best of all, the surgeon told me yesterday that I could start working normal foods into my diet again, so I had cereal for breakfast and tasty French bread sandwiches for dinner.
Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've eaten cereal? This feels like a freaking epic victory!
It's all about those little things that make one start to feel like herself again. Tomorrow, Matt's coming home early, and I'm really hoping to start walking or perhaps even a bike ride. I also want to try some of the yoga exercises sent to me by the awesome @eowynridesagain.
I still need a lot of sleep and tire pretty easily, but I'm not going to let that overshadow how good I felt today.
Showing posts with label missions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label missions. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Optimal Optimism: Addendum
I forgot to add one thing.
Although I'm not able to take Bella for long walks, I still try to take her for out for about 30 minutes a day, if I'm able. This is good for her, and it's good for me - studies have shown that just getting outside for a few minutes can boost emotional health. Today I walked her slowly up the street from my apartment, letting her sniff and explore. It was the kind of day I love: early spring, comfortably cool, a slight breeze picking up the scent of blooming flowers. The trees carried pink and white blossoms, the grass is greening, and I can feel spring and summer coming close, carrying all the things I love, like camping, biking, mountain adventures, and good times with friends. It was a great pick-me-up, and I'm glad I walked slowly and let my senses take it all in, instead of pushing myself to walk fast and keep my heartrate up. Sometimes it's nice to just walk, and really enjoy it, instead of worrying about what kind of cardio workout I'm getting.
Although I'm not able to take Bella for long walks, I still try to take her for out for about 30 minutes a day, if I'm able. This is good for her, and it's good for me - studies have shown that just getting outside for a few minutes can boost emotional health. Today I walked her slowly up the street from my apartment, letting her sniff and explore. It was the kind of day I love: early spring, comfortably cool, a slight breeze picking up the scent of blooming flowers. The trees carried pink and white blossoms, the grass is greening, and I can feel spring and summer coming close, carrying all the things I love, like camping, biking, mountain adventures, and good times with friends. It was a great pick-me-up, and I'm glad I walked slowly and let my senses take it all in, instead of pushing myself to walk fast and keep my heartrate up. Sometimes it's nice to just walk, and really enjoy it, instead of worrying about what kind of cardio workout I'm getting.
Courtney's Mission: Optimal Optimism
I've been really remiss in posting and commenting here, but you Allies are doing such a fabulous job of keeping me upbeat! I truly appreciate all your help and support.
I also want to send a warm welcome to Alys, who has joined the game! Welcome, Alys, and thank you!
For Courtney's first mission, I was asked to do the following:
"You should let us know what all is keeping your spirits up, what has made you laugh, what is getting better and what you have been utilizing to maintain your spirit. Also let us know what has been hard, and what we or you can do to make it easier."
Really, my extremely wonderful friends have been keeping my spirits up. It was a little tiring to have company right after my surgery, but I am also so incredibly glad that Alys and her beau Chris could come visit us. It was a much needed break from the stress and strain of illness, and it's really impossible to feel badly when Alys is around, because she is so bubbly and funny. Additionally, they brought horribly awesome movies (the kind that are so bad they're great), and I laughed so hard my damaged lungs either accelerated in healing to full expansion or were further traumatized, I'm not sure which.
All the support messages I received has helped me to maintain my spirit as well, and just connecting with friends to talk about mundane stuff has made me feel like my life is getting back to normal. As for what's getting better: my pain is greatly diminished, in both my arm and face; the swelling is almost gone; I'm able to eat progressively more human foods (I had pizza last night! Not the crust, but pizza nonetheless!); I feel less like I've been pummeled on by a professional boxer. Some of the feeling is coming back to my face, which makes me very happy as well. I'm still pretty tired, but I'm at a point where I don't know if that's because my body is recovering still or if I'm low energy due to lack of exercise. When I start to feel bad emotionally, I reach out to my friends, I read posts on this blog, I read post on my Facebook wall and Twitter, and that reminds me that I am not alone, and I take encouragement from those words.
The hardest thing has just been dealing with the everyday life stuff while Matt has been out of town. It's really exhausting to me to keep up on laundry, dishes, walking the dog, taking care of the dog and cat, and cooking when he's not here (and makes me appreciate even more everything he does when he IS here, because Matt is my superhero.) I feel guilty about not playing with the dog as much or taking her out for long walks like I used to do. I feel bad because the house gets messy and I just don't have the stamina to clean. Doug, who may also soon be joining the game, helped me take care of some household duties Friday, including taking out my trash and carrying Bella's dogfood into the house, since the PICC line prohibits me from lifting more than 10lbs on my right arm. I felt embarrassed asking him to help, especially with the trash, because I feel like these are my responsibilities and I shouldn't be foisting them on other people. That exemplifies the hardest thing for me: acknowledging that I am legitimately ill and injured and need help. It's not that I think I can do everything by myself, but I just never feel like I'm so sick I should be asking people to do things like chores for me. I have a constant fear of overextending my friends' goodwill or of asking too much, and that makes it really hard for me to reach out when I need help. Similarly, it's hard for me to give myself permission to do nothing and rest. Angela, the friend who originally linked me to SuperBetter, suggested making rest a goal, and I think that would work well for me. My problem is, when I spend a day on the couch, I always have a voice in my head yelling at me for "wasting time" or being lazy -- even if I desperately need that rest. It's like I always think I need to be doing something: cleaning, exercising, working on my designs or learning code, running errands, etc. If I make it a goal, I'll instead feel like I'm accomplishing something instead of "doing nothing."
That's also why I really appreciated Courtney's other mission, to review movies and TV shows suggested to me last week. It makes rest a mission and a goal - and Courtney knows me well enough to know this is how I have to approach it if I don't want to struggle with my Type A personality. I couldn't find some of them on Netflix, but I did find Dexter, Pillars of the Earth, Penn & Teller, and a couple others. I also found Tudors on streaming, which wasn't suggested to me but I have been wanting to watch.
Also, my cello teacher will be amused to know that the first question I asked the radiology team when they placed my PICC in my right arm is if I could still bow with it. They said yes. :) I hope to start playing again soon, as my arm is finally not throbbing with pain. I do feel like things are slowly but steadily improving, so let's just hope my bloodwork and films show the same thing on my bone. I would like to start gently exercising next week, but for that, I need your help. Mission for Allies in next post.
I also want to send a warm welcome to Alys, who has joined the game! Welcome, Alys, and thank you!
For Courtney's first mission, I was asked to do the following:
"You should let us know what all is keeping your spirits up, what has made you laugh, what is getting better and what you have been utilizing to maintain your spirit. Also let us know what has been hard, and what we or you can do to make it easier."
Really, my extremely wonderful friends have been keeping my spirits up. It was a little tiring to have company right after my surgery, but I am also so incredibly glad that Alys and her beau Chris could come visit us. It was a much needed break from the stress and strain of illness, and it's really impossible to feel badly when Alys is around, because she is so bubbly and funny. Additionally, they brought horribly awesome movies (the kind that are so bad they're great), and I laughed so hard my damaged lungs either accelerated in healing to full expansion or were further traumatized, I'm not sure which.
All the support messages I received has helped me to maintain my spirit as well, and just connecting with friends to talk about mundane stuff has made me feel like my life is getting back to normal. As for what's getting better: my pain is greatly diminished, in both my arm and face; the swelling is almost gone; I'm able to eat progressively more human foods (I had pizza last night! Not the crust, but pizza nonetheless!); I feel less like I've been pummeled on by a professional boxer. Some of the feeling is coming back to my face, which makes me very happy as well. I'm still pretty tired, but I'm at a point where I don't know if that's because my body is recovering still or if I'm low energy due to lack of exercise. When I start to feel bad emotionally, I reach out to my friends, I read posts on this blog, I read post on my Facebook wall and Twitter, and that reminds me that I am not alone, and I take encouragement from those words.
The hardest thing has just been dealing with the everyday life stuff while Matt has been out of town. It's really exhausting to me to keep up on laundry, dishes, walking the dog, taking care of the dog and cat, and cooking when he's not here (and makes me appreciate even more everything he does when he IS here, because Matt is my superhero.) I feel guilty about not playing with the dog as much or taking her out for long walks like I used to do. I feel bad because the house gets messy and I just don't have the stamina to clean. Doug, who may also soon be joining the game, helped me take care of some household duties Friday, including taking out my trash and carrying Bella's dogfood into the house, since the PICC line prohibits me from lifting more than 10lbs on my right arm. I felt embarrassed asking him to help, especially with the trash, because I feel like these are my responsibilities and I shouldn't be foisting them on other people. That exemplifies the hardest thing for me: acknowledging that I am legitimately ill and injured and need help. It's not that I think I can do everything by myself, but I just never feel like I'm so sick I should be asking people to do things like chores for me. I have a constant fear of overextending my friends' goodwill or of asking too much, and that makes it really hard for me to reach out when I need help. Similarly, it's hard for me to give myself permission to do nothing and rest. Angela, the friend who originally linked me to SuperBetter, suggested making rest a goal, and I think that would work well for me. My problem is, when I spend a day on the couch, I always have a voice in my head yelling at me for "wasting time" or being lazy -- even if I desperately need that rest. It's like I always think I need to be doing something: cleaning, exercising, working on my designs or learning code, running errands, etc. If I make it a goal, I'll instead feel like I'm accomplishing something instead of "doing nothing."
That's also why I really appreciated Courtney's other mission, to review movies and TV shows suggested to me last week. It makes rest a mission and a goal - and Courtney knows me well enough to know this is how I have to approach it if I don't want to struggle with my Type A personality. I couldn't find some of them on Netflix, but I did find Dexter, Pillars of the Earth, Penn & Teller, and a couple others. I also found Tudors on streaming, which wasn't suggested to me but I have been wanting to watch.
Also, my cello teacher will be amused to know that the first question I asked the radiology team when they placed my PICC in my right arm is if I could still bow with it. They said yes. :) I hope to start playing again soon, as my arm is finally not throbbing with pain. I do feel like things are slowly but steadily improving, so let's just hope my bloodwork and films show the same thing on my bone. I would like to start gently exercising next week, but for that, I need your help. Mission for Allies in next post.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Erin's mission - Positive thinking
I'm being attacked by an insidious demon that wants me to only think of all the scary, bad outcomes of surgery. So Mad (Erin) challenged me to beat this demon by listing all of the positive outcomes. Here they are:
NO MORE PAIN in my jaw and face
Infection will stop destroying my bone
I won't feel so exhausted and awful all the time
I will get to go back to work full time
I will get to do activities like hiking and biking again
I won't have to go to doctors so much
I won't have to worry about how to beat this thing
I won't spend day after day in drug-induced haze
I won't have to have multiple surgeries again
I won't have to have a PICC line again (once this current one comes out)
I will (eventually) be able to eat normal food again
I will be on the path to recovery instead of just battling this one infection over and over
I will be much happier
I won't feel so beaten up and beaten down
I won't have to feel so worried and scared
I will feel an EPIC WIN for having triumphed over this infection
I will be able to do more with my husband
I will get to put an end to a 14-month plus nightmare
I will get to feel like myself again
I will have one less health problem to fight
I will feel better
I will get to take my dog for long walks again
I will get to go camping and jeeping and backpacking and beer-festing with friends this summer
I will get to spend money on fun stuff instead of prescriptions and medical bills
I will possibly develop super powers because I will be partially bionic once they do the bone graft (just kidding)
Between this and John's energy routine mission, I actually feel quite a bit better. :) Thanks guys!
NO MORE PAIN in my jaw and face
Infection will stop destroying my bone
I won't feel so exhausted and awful all the time
I will get to go back to work full time
I will get to do activities like hiking and biking again
I won't have to go to doctors so much
I won't have to worry about how to beat this thing
I won't spend day after day in drug-induced haze
I won't have to have multiple surgeries again
I won't have to have a PICC line again (once this current one comes out)
I will (eventually) be able to eat normal food again
I will be on the path to recovery instead of just battling this one infection over and over
I will be much happier
I won't feel so beaten up and beaten down
I won't have to feel so worried and scared
I will feel an EPIC WIN for having triumphed over this infection
I will be able to do more with my husband
I will get to put an end to a 14-month plus nightmare
I will get to feel like myself again
I will have one less health problem to fight
I will feel better
I will get to take my dog for long walks again
I will get to go camping and jeeping and backpacking and beer-festing with friends this summer
I will get to spend money on fun stuff instead of prescriptions and medical bills
I will possibly develop super powers because I will be partially bionic once they do the bone graft (just kidding)
Between this and John's energy routine mission, I actually feel quite a bit better. :) Thanks guys!
Daily Missions
Jessi will be receiving daily missions which I will be appending to this post each day.
Jessi, your mission today is to eat something delicious and to do something you won't be able to do for the next few days due to the surgery.
XP: 25 for each
Daily Mission 4/5/2011
Today's mission is to have a nice calming bath and meditate for 20 minutes before your surgery. Then to have the surgery itself. Afterwards, you are to follow all doctor's instructions. This last part will probably require Matt's help.
XP: 100 (25 for pre surgery, 50 for surgery, 25 for post surgery)
Daily Mission 4/8/2011 - 4/9/2011
Due to our huntress being in the hospital, these daily missions were on hiatus. But we are back! Now the mission is for her to rest in her sexy pajamas. I heard that the demons and vamps HATE sexy pajamas.
Part 2 of this mission involves getting creative. Jessi, you are to color in some coloring books with crayons. Maybe you can share your artwork :P
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Mission Mistress Time
Week of April 4-10
I'm going to post two recurring type missions for this week. By that I mean they can be completed at any point and as many times as you wish. I will try to post small mini-missions each day as well. I reserve the right to add as genius comes to me :P
Mission 1: Our huntress is going to be in the hospital this week. So I think it's really important that we concentrate on sending her good healing thoughts. So every day this week spend just a few minutes (or longer) thinking about her and how the surgery will go super well and how awesome her recovery will be. This can take the form of prayer, meditation, reiki, energy medicine, running outside and shouting it to the world, whatever works for you.
XP: 25 each time
Mission 2: As I said, Jessi is going to be having surgery. So let's all think of a movie or TV series that we really like that we can share that she can watch during her recovery. She is going to have a lot of downtime and she will probably sleep a lot. But in case she is just sitting there bored I want to have some suggestions for her to cure boredom with.
XP: 25 for each
Optional: My previous suggested storytime mission. I haven't posted my story yet because I've been kicking a demon in the ass an it's been rough. Now that I've got a handle on this demon I can go ahead and post mine this week. This mission is purely optional because it is up to all of us how little or how much we wish to make public.
XP: 50
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Mission: Story Time!
Allies:
We have all struggled in our lives with something evil. Something that tore at our bodies or our souls. Or we have watched loved ones be destroyed. I challenge you to document what you have seen and experienced. If we can collect these stories we can help future generations combat and destroy the evils that lurk in the shadows and the light of day!
((my own to come later today))
Monday, March 28, 2011
Two new missions for allies
Mission One: Writing on the Wall
Heya Allies! I'd love your feedback on the One Month Review - your input will help make this game better as we move forward. Please leave a comment with your thoughts before April 8, 2011!
Reward: 50XP and my undying gratitude
Mission Two: Standing Guard
I'm scheduled for surgery April 4, and I'm asking for your help. This surgery will be the most extensive, invasive one yet, and I'm a little nervous about it. I'd like to test out a new system of having one person as Mission Manager and one person as Achievement Herald, with a back-up for each, for one week periods. Your mission is to pick which position and which week you'd like to do these. Just edit this post and put your name on the list! I think each person will need to volunteer twice in order to cover the back-up positions as well.
Mission Manager: Give missions to Jessica (and other Allies as appropriate), track and report on successes
Achievement Herald: Monitor mission successes and other daily activities and bestow achievements as desired
Week 1: April 4-10
Mission Manager: Erin/Madd
Back-up: Courtney
Achievement Herald: Jamie
Back-up:
Week 2: April 11-17
Mission Manager: Courtney
Back-up:
Achievement Herald: Erin/Madd
Back-up:
Week 3: April 18-24
Mission Manager: Carrie
Back-up:
Achievement Herald: Courtney
Back-up:
Week 4: April 25-May 1
Mission Manager: Jamie
Back-up:
Achievement Herald:
Back-up: Courtney
Reward: 25 XP for each position
Heya Allies! I'd love your feedback on the One Month Review - your input will help make this game better as we move forward. Please leave a comment with your thoughts before April 8, 2011!
Reward: 50XP and my undying gratitude
Mission Two: Standing Guard
I'm scheduled for surgery April 4, and I'm asking for your help. This surgery will be the most extensive, invasive one yet, and I'm a little nervous about it. I'd like to test out a new system of having one person as Mission Manager and one person as Achievement Herald, with a back-up for each, for one week periods. Your mission is to pick which position and which week you'd like to do these. Just edit this post and put your name on the list! I think each person will need to volunteer twice in order to cover the back-up positions as well.
Mission Manager: Give missions to Jessica (and other Allies as appropriate), track and report on successes
Achievement Herald: Monitor mission successes and other daily activities and bestow achievements as desired
Week 1: April 4-10
Mission Manager: Erin/Madd
Back-up: Courtney
Achievement Herald: Jamie
Back-up:
Week 2: April 11-17
Mission Manager: Courtney
Back-up:
Achievement Herald: Erin/Madd
Back-up:
Week 3: April 18-24
Mission Manager: Carrie
Back-up:
Achievement Herald: Courtney
Back-up:
Week 4: April 25-May 1
Mission Manager: Jamie
Back-up:
Achievement Herald:
Back-up: Courtney
Reward: 25 XP for each position
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Mad Mad Music
Since I'm not able to post to the original mission request I am going to add my musical suggestions here.
One of my favorite songs period:
Annie Lennox - Into the West ... Journeys End by soapte
The Lament of the Highborne (sung by Sylvanas)
The Orgimmar theme music, veyr much sounds like the drums of war, getting ready to battle thing:
One of my favorite songs period:
Annie Lennox - Into the West ... Journeys End by soapte
The Lament of the Highborne (sung by Sylvanas)
The Orgimmar theme music, veyr much sounds like the drums of war, getting ready to battle thing:
Best version I could find:
Mahler:
Go to about minute 36:
Edited to add: COWBOYS FROM HELL!!!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Two new missions for allies
This week is turning out to be pretty hard on me. I think a significant portion of it is that I feel like I'm just waiting, putting my life on hold, while doctors figure out what they want to do with me. It's hard living like that. I feel like I can't make any plans, and that my life is out of my control, which is an enormous source of anxiety for me. It doesn't help that Matt is out of town, so I'm kind of sitting here stewing in isolation. Hence, the source of these next two challenges:
Mission One: All Along the Watchtower
Check in on me at least once before March 14 - either in person, by phone, email, text, Facebook message, gchat, or other means.
Reward: 25XP, plus 5 additional XP per subsequent check-in
Mission Two: Reality is Broken - The Musical
I've long said that a major problem with reality is its substantial lack of background music. Post a link to a song to add to the epic soundtrack of World of Healthcraft - and give me encouragement when fighting my Evils. Remember: it must be EPIC!
Allies with posting access: Please append your link with your name to the bottom of this post, as comments don't apparently allow for HTML embedding.
Allies without posting access: Please post the link in the comments and we'll add it with your name to this post.
Reward: 25XP, plus 5 additional XP per subsequent song, and we'll make a killer playlist.
I would love for anyone who reads this blog to participate in this - sharing music is wonderful!
Here's my contribution:
Matt: Dreamtheater, In the Presence of Enemies
Mission One: All Along the Watchtower
Check in on me at least once before March 14 - either in person, by phone, email, text, Facebook message, gchat, or other means.
Reward: 25XP, plus 5 additional XP per subsequent check-in
Mission Two: Reality is Broken - The Musical
I've long said that a major problem with reality is its substantial lack of background music. Post a link to a song to add to the epic soundtrack of World of Healthcraft - and give me encouragement when fighting my Evils. Remember: it must be EPIC!
Allies with posting access: Please append your link with your name to the bottom of this post, as comments don't apparently allow for HTML embedding.
Allies without posting access: Please post the link in the comments and we'll add it with your name to this post.
Reward: 25XP, plus 5 additional XP per subsequent song, and we'll make a killer playlist.
I would love for anyone who reads this blog to participate in this - sharing music is wonderful!
Here's my contribution:
Jessica: ES Posthumus, Unstoppable
Matt: Dreamtheater, In the Presence of Enemies
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Training in Week 2
Now that we have all had a chance to get our feet wet, time to kick this in gear. There have been requests from both our huntress and allies to have a shared training that any can join. This will give support to the Huntress, so she is not doing this alone, but also it will allow us to grow in ourselves in order to be the best we can as we stand with the Night Huntress against the foes of the dark and the Abiding Evils.
Many of us have faced the Beasts, Vampires and other Evil and know that a join front in the best health is the best way to succeed.
So here is the training mission:
Three times this week for a half hour minimum plan on doing some sort of physical activity. The activity is your choice. I run. Maybe you like elliptical or swimming or walking or yoga or insert other activity here. Just as you do each 30 minute session, comment here to this post, so we can all see, share and draw strength from it.
In addition to that, three times this week I would like those of us who would, to meditate. You can seek zen, enlightenment, nothingness, or simply on centering or on our huntress's fight. Do this in whichever way you do best. Using an element, energy manipulation, guided meditation, music meditation, etc. Again just update with comments here in this post. I am hoping once power marks have been chosen, that we can each have one with which to help the focused meditation and connect the group.
Our huntress is not able to do the physical exercise yet, but she will soon, and us doing it with her will only help and encourage her.
Also there are other goals that, if you reach and would like to share for support, I would ask you to share to this post. These would include such things as:
Kept within calorie goal
Maintained desired weight
Felt good about the way I looked today
Felt Centered/Connected today
lost 10 lbs
lost 1 clothing size
ran a mile straight
lost 20 lbs
ran a 5k on own
ran a 5k official race
reached clothing size goal
lost 30 lbs
reached weight goal
None of this is mandatory, except for our huntress and I when the cleric say she is ready to begin. (Though, Ms. Huntress, the meditation is still required now.)
This will count as a mission for weekly XP.
Happy Training all.
*salute*
EDIT: The Huntress has made one more request and has asked me to add it here. Please treat this post as a place to comment for all mission activities for the week. So if you do medical research, please post it here so the Huntress can find it. If you find energy/guided meditations for the Huntress, please put it here. etc. This should keep things nicely organized and structured for the Huntress. Also this shows continually, none of us are ever alone in the fight against the dark evils that so desperately want us to believe so. Thank you.
Many of us have faced the Beasts, Vampires and other Evil and know that a join front in the best health is the best way to succeed.
So here is the training mission:
Three times this week for a half hour minimum plan on doing some sort of physical activity. The activity is your choice. I run. Maybe you like elliptical or swimming or walking or yoga or insert other activity here. Just as you do each 30 minute session, comment here to this post, so we can all see, share and draw strength from it.
In addition to that, three times this week I would like those of us who would, to meditate. You can seek zen, enlightenment, nothingness, or simply on centering or on our huntress's fight. Do this in whichever way you do best. Using an element, energy manipulation, guided meditation, music meditation, etc. Again just update with comments here in this post. I am hoping once power marks have been chosen, that we can each have one with which to help the focused meditation and connect the group.
Our huntress is not able to do the physical exercise yet, but she will soon, and us doing it with her will only help and encourage her.
Also there are other goals that, if you reach and would like to share for support, I would ask you to share to this post. These would include such things as:
Kept within calorie goal
Maintained desired weight
Felt good about the way I looked today
Felt Centered/Connected today
lost 10 lbs
lost 1 clothing size
ran a mile straight
lost 20 lbs
ran a 5k on own
ran a 5k official race
reached clothing size goal
lost 30 lbs
reached weight goal
None of this is mandatory, except for our huntress and I when the cleric say she is ready to begin. (Though, Ms. Huntress, the meditation is still required now.)
This will count as a mission for weekly XP.
Happy Training all.
*salute*
EDIT: The Huntress has made one more request and has asked me to add it here. Please treat this post as a place to comment for all mission activities for the week. So if you do medical research, please post it here so the Huntress can find it. If you find energy/guided meditations for the Huntress, please put it here. etc. This should keep things nicely organized and structured for the Huntress. Also this shows continually, none of us are ever alone in the fight against the dark evils that so desperately want us to believe so. Thank you.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Mission: Time to Train
Yes, everyone, it is me again. Now that I have gotten all gushy on all of you, it is time to get down to some real work. I really thought of the last words I left you with.
"You provide her strength at her weakest times and are a light to her in the darkness. Remember that at all times. Together we are fighting and together we are winning."
The lack of this is what takes out more night hunters and huntresses. Trust me, I have seen it first hand. What many of you may not know, is that once I lost Jeremy, the Beast that took him over, stalked and hunted me for 7 years. He and his pack found me no matter where I hid, and nearly killed me over and over again. Only to let me be, heal and then start the hunt again. It was the darkest time in my life, and I was alone. Even in a crowded room. I know the feeling of wanting to scream from the tallest building for help, and having to smile at those who have no idea that darkness is just under the surface, smiling at them, salivating over them. There is nothing I wouldn't have done for an ally in the dark.
So, I never want any of you to ever belittle the task you perform here as an ally of the huntress.
And as such, all of us must be as strong as we can to aid in this fight. As the huntress has put forth, this could be physically as well as mentally. To make sure we are providing the most complete support possible, I am starting a new mission for everyone starting tomorrow.
Our huntress is looking forward and pining for the day the clerics give her the okay to begin her physical training, to add to her mental training. It is always easier to train, when there are others doing it, counting on you.
Starting tomorrow I will put up a training post for people to update over the week as they do different parts of the training. In this way, we can all see and share in the training and meditating, for those that can.
To start: I simply as that you do each 3 times over the week.
Three times a week of a half hour minimum of physical activity. The activity is your choice. I run. Maybe you like elliptical or swimming or walking or yoga or insert other activity here. Just as you do each 30 minute session, comment on the weekly post I put up, so we can all see, share and draw strength from it.
Next, Three times a week I would like those of us who would, to meditate. You can seek zen, enlightenment, nothingness, or simply on centering or on our huntress's fight. Do this in whichever way you do best. Using an element, energy manipulation, guided meditation, music meditation, etc. Again just update with comments the post.
Our huntress is not able to do the physical exercise yet, but she will soon, and us doing it with her will only help and encourage her.
Also I will set up a chart of similar goals for those also on the path to better physical health, similar to the one requested by our huntress. This will include such goals as:
lose 10 lbs
lose 1 clothing size
run a mile straight
lose 20 lbs
run a 5k on own
run a 5k official race
reach clothing size goal
lose 30 lbs
reach weight goal
I will be putting this all tomorrow. If anyone has any goals that they think should be added to this list, please comment, and I will incorporate them. Again, I will officially put this up and start this tomorrow.
I just wanted all of the allies to be able to this. So, really think about this.
I thank you for your time.
*salute*
"You provide her strength at her weakest times and are a light to her in the darkness. Remember that at all times. Together we are fighting and together we are winning."
The lack of this is what takes out more night hunters and huntresses. Trust me, I have seen it first hand. What many of you may not know, is that once I lost Jeremy, the Beast that took him over, stalked and hunted me for 7 years. He and his pack found me no matter where I hid, and nearly killed me over and over again. Only to let me be, heal and then start the hunt again. It was the darkest time in my life, and I was alone. Even in a crowded room. I know the feeling of wanting to scream from the tallest building for help, and having to smile at those who have no idea that darkness is just under the surface, smiling at them, salivating over them. There is nothing I wouldn't have done for an ally in the dark.
So, I never want any of you to ever belittle the task you perform here as an ally of the huntress.
And as such, all of us must be as strong as we can to aid in this fight. As the huntress has put forth, this could be physically as well as mentally. To make sure we are providing the most complete support possible, I am starting a new mission for everyone starting tomorrow.
Our huntress is looking forward and pining for the day the clerics give her the okay to begin her physical training, to add to her mental training. It is always easier to train, when there are others doing it, counting on you.
Starting tomorrow I will put up a training post for people to update over the week as they do different parts of the training. In this way, we can all see and share in the training and meditating, for those that can.
To start: I simply as that you do each 3 times over the week.
Three times a week of a half hour minimum of physical activity. The activity is your choice. I run. Maybe you like elliptical or swimming or walking or yoga or insert other activity here. Just as you do each 30 minute session, comment on the weekly post I put up, so we can all see, share and draw strength from it.
Next, Three times a week I would like those of us who would, to meditate. You can seek zen, enlightenment, nothingness, or simply on centering or on our huntress's fight. Do this in whichever way you do best. Using an element, energy manipulation, guided meditation, music meditation, etc. Again just update with comments the post.
Our huntress is not able to do the physical exercise yet, but she will soon, and us doing it with her will only help and encourage her.
Also I will set up a chart of similar goals for those also on the path to better physical health, similar to the one requested by our huntress. This will include such goals as:
lose 10 lbs
lose 1 clothing size
run a mile straight
lose 20 lbs
run a 5k on own
run a 5k official race
reach clothing size goal
lose 30 lbs
reach weight goal
I will be putting this all tomorrow. If anyone has any goals that they think should be added to this list, please comment, and I will incorporate them. Again, I will officially put this up and start this tomorrow.
I just wanted all of the allies to be able to this. So, really think about this.
I thank you for your time.
*salute*
Friday, March 4, 2011
NEW SKILL ACQUIRED
The Medium
"Ungh!" Clutching my side and steadying myself, I nearly doubled over in pain. The pain was getting more and more frequent, and nothing I did was helping. Was it me? A few quick tests seemed to show I was fine...
It was Jessi. Judging from her messages and my experience, she wasn't doing so well. "Meet me online," I wrote in a message. "ASAP."
While waiting, I pored over my texts, and analyzed every symptom, every potion, every feeling she was experiencing, and her upcoming trials. I leaned back in my chair looking between my notes, her emails, and my texts, and took a deep breath. Most of what I considered showing her risked making some other ailment worse.
One technique to dispel the vampire's venom might intensify the rage of the beast - and calming the beast might strengthen the potions' effects to the point of becoming toxic. Did I get in over my head? At that moment, Jessi logged on and initiated contact.
I took another deep breath. Focus. One step at a time. There must be something. Something basic...
Of course!
"Jessi, I have something I learned from basic training, and they drilled it into us to become part of our foundation. It will keep the fire of humanity glowing within you, to help you resist the beast and the vampire. You can do this by yourself any time you feel vulnerable. This is from the introductory texts of the Enduring Blaze. I will be referring to them often as I try to help you. Find a copy. Later on, I can show you more tricks to detect and gauge the evils' presence/severity in your body when you have another ally present."
New Skill Acquired: The Spark of Humanity. +25 XP
New Mission: Acquire Enduring Blaze texts
Loot: http://tinyurl.com/5rchxqt
New Mission: Teach local allies detection techniques
New Mission: Perform the Spark of Humanity daily (Power Up, +5 XP/day)
(OOC)
Perhaps I should have included a little background after my intro post, but I'll do it now...as much of the fiction I wrote in for my character mirrors what I'm doing IRL.
I'm learning Eden Energy Medicine...I took the five day basic course back in August, which they're phasing out in favor of a 2-year certification program (I start in May). The book I linked is essentially the textbook - and the 5 day course used to be the only training you received before you were considered ready to practice (I fictionalized all of this). Donna Eden's teaching includes learning about the meridians, chakras, and neurolymphatics, among many other things. Her start was in Touch for Health. Also, I got my Reiki 1 certification a week ago.
I actually WAS a little overwhelmed by the obscene list of considerations. A LOT of things I could have shown Jessica were contraindicated by other things...specifically relating to the blood thinners (spleen meridian) and the jaw infection (infection, triple warmer; location, stomach meridian). Also, Donna Eden's website, innersource.net, has nothing about Chron's disease yet. >.< However, most auto-immune diseases revolve around an over-active triple warmer. I'm assuming Chron's is no different, and later on I'll look further into this.
With all the blood thinners, it would have been a big mistake to actually thump or massage those points Donna Eden mentioned...BUT, you can go through the gestures without actually striking/massaging the skin and still get an effect. I also told Jessi to put her arms under her armpits - which would send energy directly into the spleen and liver. Also showed to trace the lung meridian.
I mentioned triple warmer briefly, as it's at the root of a LOT of auto-immune diseases. Donna Eden has said over and over that an imbalance between spleen and triple warmer is *also* at the root of a lot of problems Americans have. Triple warmer governs the body's defense systems and will fight to keep a person alive; it plays a big role in stress as well.
Usually it's called for to strengthen spleen and calm triple warmer, but between the jaw infection, blood thinners, and not being able to energy test (need a partner) to verify anything I wasn't going to take a risk.
I settled on the 5-minute routine (linked above - any of you can do it for an effect. There's virtually no risk involved - though if you feel worse after doing it for a few days, talk to me - I'd need to show you a few more things), tracing the lung meridian (from the chest, over the shoulder and off the thumbnail), and tracing the stomach meridian - at least the part on the face (start at each cheekbone, drop down to the mandible, trace it up the side and around the outside of the face, drop straight down between the eyebrows to the collarbone).
Lung will help keep the lungs functioning, and tracing that part of the stomach meridian *might* help move some of the energy of that jaw infection. Spleen deals with the blood and metabolism - which is why I suggested the 'hands in armpits' pose. It's a way to add energy to spleen without moving/taking it from somewhere else.
"Ungh!" Clutching my side and steadying myself, I nearly doubled over in pain. The pain was getting more and more frequent, and nothing I did was helping. Was it me? A few quick tests seemed to show I was fine...
It was Jessi. Judging from her messages and my experience, she wasn't doing so well. "Meet me online," I wrote in a message. "ASAP."
While waiting, I pored over my texts, and analyzed every symptom, every potion, every feeling she was experiencing, and her upcoming trials. I leaned back in my chair looking between my notes, her emails, and my texts, and took a deep breath. Most of what I considered showing her risked making some other ailment worse.
One technique to dispel the vampire's venom might intensify the rage of the beast - and calming the beast might strengthen the potions' effects to the point of becoming toxic. Did I get in over my head? At that moment, Jessi logged on and initiated contact.
I took another deep breath. Focus. One step at a time. There must be something. Something basic...
Of course!
"Jessi, I have something I learned from basic training, and they drilled it into us to become part of our foundation. It will keep the fire of humanity glowing within you, to help you resist the beast and the vampire. You can do this by yourself any time you feel vulnerable. This is from the introductory texts of the Enduring Blaze. I will be referring to them often as I try to help you. Find a copy. Later on, I can show you more tricks to detect and gauge the evils' presence/severity in your body when you have another ally present."
New Skill Acquired: The Spark of Humanity. +25 XP
New Mission: Acquire Enduring Blaze texts
Loot: http://tinyurl.com/5rchxqt
New Mission: Teach local allies detection techniques
New Mission: Perform the Spark of Humanity daily (Power Up, +5 XP/day)
(OOC)
Perhaps I should have included a little background after my intro post, but I'll do it now...as much of the fiction I wrote in for my character mirrors what I'm doing IRL.
I'm learning Eden Energy Medicine...I took the five day basic course back in August, which they're phasing out in favor of a 2-year certification program (I start in May). The book I linked is essentially the textbook - and the 5 day course used to be the only training you received before you were considered ready to practice (I fictionalized all of this). Donna Eden's teaching includes learning about the meridians, chakras, and neurolymphatics, among many other things. Her start was in Touch for Health. Also, I got my Reiki 1 certification a week ago.
I actually WAS a little overwhelmed by the obscene list of considerations. A LOT of things I could have shown Jessica were contraindicated by other things...specifically relating to the blood thinners (spleen meridian) and the jaw infection (infection, triple warmer; location, stomach meridian). Also, Donna Eden's website, innersource.net, has nothing about Chron's disease yet. >.< However, most auto-immune diseases revolve around an over-active triple warmer. I'm assuming Chron's is no different, and later on I'll look further into this.
With all the blood thinners, it would have been a big mistake to actually thump or massage those points Donna Eden mentioned...BUT, you can go through the gestures without actually striking/massaging the skin and still get an effect. I also told Jessi to put her arms under her armpits - which would send energy directly into the spleen and liver. Also showed to trace the lung meridian.
I mentioned triple warmer briefly, as it's at the root of a LOT of auto-immune diseases. Donna Eden has said over and over that an imbalance between spleen and triple warmer is *also* at the root of a lot of problems Americans have. Triple warmer governs the body's defense systems and will fight to keep a person alive; it plays a big role in stress as well.
Usually it's called for to strengthen spleen and calm triple warmer, but between the jaw infection, blood thinners, and not being able to energy test (need a partner) to verify anything I wasn't going to take a risk.
I settled on the 5-minute routine (linked above - any of you can do it for an effect. There's virtually no risk involved - though if you feel worse after doing it for a few days, talk to me - I'd need to show you a few more things), tracing the lung meridian (from the chest, over the shoulder and off the thumbnail), and tracing the stomach meridian - at least the part on the face (start at each cheekbone, drop down to the mandible, trace it up the side and around the outside of the face, drop straight down between the eyebrows to the collarbone).
Lung will help keep the lungs functioning, and tracing that part of the stomach meridian *might* help move some of the energy of that jaw infection. Spleen deals with the blood and metabolism - which is why I suggested the 'hands in armpits' pose. It's a way to add energy to spleen without moving/taking it from somewhere else.
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