Finding a Balance

Ok so it has been about a month since I announced retirement from activism. And really "retirement" was an overstatement. It is more of a "cutting back."

Since saying I needed a break and some relaxation,  life decided to throw me some trauma and drama, I guess it was not ready to let me relax, between a break up, moving into a little one room apartment by myself, my dog getting sick, getting damage repaired from a hysterectomy, dental procedures gone wrong and a tornado hitting my town (with my son driving in the eye of the it) it has not been the easy going month I had hoped.

The pros of cutting back have been: a managable amount of emails and messages, being able to catch up with friends and family, taking time for myself to do relaxing things, like gardening, spending time with family, playing computer games, reading, being able to talk to  my "Lyme" friends, I don't mean working for anyone, I mean just chit chatting with them, seeing how they are really doing. Being able to be silly and just be myself.

The drawbacks have been: I miss posting questions for people. I made a group called Lyme Questions for people to post their own questions in, but I kind of miss watching all the interactions on my page. It's also very hard to not jump in when I see something that needs to be done or when I have an idea that I think will help the Lyme community.

Finding a Balance: I think I have found a balance by still helping behind the scenes, such as writing articles, keeping up my websites, and doing little random things like helping spread word of people's fundraisers or writing online articles, co hosting with Jenny Rush's teleconference calls, helping with Red Shoe Day, helping out in the Lyme groups when necessary but keeping my page balanced with posting a couple Lyme related posts here and there but also keeping some more motivational posts coming up everyday and adding in some humor.

Finding a Balance: For You

My point in writing this little blog post is not to just bore you to death with what is happening in my life but it is to encourage you, to try to find a peaceful balance in your life also.

I noticed that Lyme becomes us and we become Lyme. It is an overwhelming disease that no amount of research can help us understand the complexities of Lyme and co infections and how those infections create havoc in every area of our lives. It just takes over.

But after living through Lyme for a couple decades now, I realized, somehow it is necessary to fight for justice and change things, but also to keep on living. We have to find a way to cope, to adapt, to move forward despite Lyme disease.

I hope you can find your healthy balance by still trying to do some of the things you love in life. Take a couple minutes each day to devote time to something other then Lyme. Smell the fresh air, try to take a walk if possible, go to a park, walk your dog, read a book, non Lyme related, play a game, talk to your kids, watch a funny movie. Talk to a high school friend. Do whatever it takes, to get your mind off of it for awhile. Do that each day just for your own sanity.

Some Reminders....