Happy Monday y'all! 

How many of you can say that they’ve mastered the art of having courage? Don’t worry if you are not quite there yet. Courage comes in variety of different forms, to assist us where we might need it the most. Never forget, that you have always had courage. However, you may not even realize it. It may be a hard thing to do but, try not to compare yourself with others. You are a unique individual. At this very moment, someone has found the strength to carry on despite the challenges they’re facing. Could this person, be you?  
 
There have been many times I, too, have failed at noticing how I have been courageous. Chronic Pain and I are old friends. While I am taking the steps that I need to control this bad boy, it is no easy feat. Quite often, I receive strange looks when I laugh in the face of  The Dark Traveler. It wasn’t that long ago that I kept all of my emotions well hidden. I felt it was my burden to bear. No one wanted to hear about my aches and pains, or even cared. If I considered myself to be strong, I also needed courage. Until I joined the Fibro Blogger Directory last year, I was unaware of anyone else who could truly comprehend the same type of pain intensity. I’ve always been a huge advocate for making, as well as, keeping friends. Letting go my heavily guarded gates of pain, was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. For the rest of September, Fibromyalgia warriors around the world will raise awareness for pain.  
 
Everyone knows that pain is not limited to the physical aspect. Seeking help after the loss of a loved one is another great example of courageousness. Although the two share similar qualities, pain from heartache can be immobilizing. Even if there was a giant pill to help with the agonizing loss of a loved one, it wouldn’t mend your feelings forever. I have always preferred to seek spiritual guidance rather than take yet another pill. Since I was in grade school, I’ve been obsessed with fairytales. While I was in college, I took a children’s literature class. Did you know that the original versions of children’s fairytales were meant to teach lessons? Luckily Hollywood decided to remake those tales; and long gone are the days of the demented stories. 25 of The Best Family Movies For Teaching Honesty, Grit, Courage & More  discusses how it is “scientifically proven that movies have the ability to persuade and teach our children.” Just as an example of what she’s talking about, she lists Disney’s live action Cinderella (2017). The movie motto throughout is “have courage and be kind.” 
 
If we ever get the chance to meet, you come to know I am a realist. There are things in this world beyond my control, even so I try keep pushing forward.  It’s so far deep-rooted inside of me that when depression does strike, it fails. I’ve come too far to quit. I believe that as humans we all need kindness, compassion, and courage. For those who are too ill to fight for themselves, they need to be reminded to not give up hope. Do you know when you found your courage? Has your courage always stayed with you? Please feel free to share your feelings or stories in the comments down below if you’d like too! I’d love to hear from y’all! Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends!


Till next time! Be well!


~ Rachel
 
 #fibromyalgia #fibrocourage #fibromyalgiaawareness ​
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy Monday y’all!  
 
When I was first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2011, I had so many emotions running through me, and as you can imagine, I was incredibly stressed out. What is stress anyway? Dictionary.com states it as a physical, mental, emotional strain or tension. MayoClinic.com shows that just by having stress, it plays a pretty significant role with Fibromyalgia. April is Stress Awareness Month. I’ve always felt that stress will eat away at you until you finally release it. Sometimes, it’s harder to do that than other times. What role has stress played, if any, for you? What did you do to help it?
 
For me, there was the stress of being a burden on, not only my family, but my friends because I was afraid to drive while taking medicine. At the time my medicine was so powerful I would have horrible fogs and dizzy spells. Another problem I was having (and I know several of you can relate) was that my doctors were saying it was all in my head, or they were not listening! I finally got the courage to tell Dale how I felt like a burden on the family. It took some convincing, but he told me I was not a burden at all. Why am I telling you all of this? To let whomever, may be feeling the same way that I did, know that everything will be okay. When I need to have girl time, I call my best friends and we chat about our day. Most of the time we can solve our situation in a phone call. If not, we’ll always have each other’s back. I’m blessed with four best friends.  
 
I strongly believe we have each other’s back, especially when it comes to something as serious as stress. Celebrities are popping up all over the world telling their story of chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, as well as other painful health problems. Some of our American "royalty," consist of Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (aka Lady Gaga), Morgan Freeman, Kathleen Turner and Jennifer Grey. They are often gushed over but we often forget that they are human too. I admit I felt a bond with the celebrities when I found out about their chronic illnesses.  We are a part of the same "team." I applaud Lady Gaga for speaking out about Fibromyalgia Awareness. Stress, much like chronic pain does not affect everyone the same way. Lady Gaga's chronic pain affects her when she becomes depressed. My chronic pain happens from overdoing it, or when I'm relaxing at home. 
 
I found two helpful links: April is Stress Awareness Month and Stress Awareness Month 2021 for those who are interested. I’ve always found it never hurts to bookmark major things such as this. You don’t know when someone else might ask about it! Reading what fellow bloggers have posted about their experiences has given me perspective as well as inspiration. Now that I have been blogging for almost two years, I hope I am giving back to the community as much as they have given me. What are your thoughts about stress?? I’d love to hear them! Please let me know in the comments down below! Please continue to stay safe! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends!
 
Till next time! Be well!
 
~ Rachel
 
 
#stress #aprilstressawarenessmonth #aprilstressawarenessmonth2021 

Dear purple butterflies, 

If you’re fellow Fibro warrior, you know there are lots of important awareness days to acknowledge. In my opinion, March 30th is right next to Fibromyalgia awareness day. March 30th is National Doctor’s Day in the United States. The history of this day is quite interesting. It started in 1933 by Eudora Brown Almond, widow of Dr. Charles B. Almond, who decided that she would set aside a day to honor physicians. Greetings cards and flowers were placed on graves of the deceased doctors in honor of the first celebration. In 1958, “a Resolution Commemorating Doctors’ Day,” was properly embraced by the United States House of Representatives. During the year of 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a national Doctor's Day. Due to the growing approval by the U.S senate and the House of representatives, “on October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed S.J. RES. #366 (which became Public Law 101-473) designating March 30th as ‘National Doctor's Day." 
 
Last year, I wrote a poem entitled “Dear Doctors.” It’s my thank you to all the doctors who’ve taken the time to care and get to know me. I sure hope to keep them around for a long time!  To celebrate this upcoming awareness day, I am resharing my poem with all of you. 
 
Dear doctors
There was a time in my life, 
that was not so very long ago. 
Almost giving up hope, 
a voice inside told me not to do so. 
I believe angels work through man, 
and of course, God watches over us. 
I can count on a good plan,
as long I have all of you on my side. 
I am not meaning to cause quite the fuss,
nevertheless, this liver talk is very scary to me. 
I do my best not to cry, 
nevertheless, this liver talk is very scary to me.
I will be strong. 
I will do what you say. 
This will all be taken care of before long, 
and then we’ll go from day to day. 
Thank you, dear friend, 
for everything you do.
It comes from your heart and is true. 

Doctors Day
 
NationalDoctorsDay
 
Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends!

Till next time! Be well!

~ Rachel