Tip #26 Wise Words Wednesdays; Opportunity Edison-Style

     It's no secret that our world is a better place because of Thomas Edison. Why? Well besides the fact that he was quite the inventor, I think the successes he achieved are epic because of his approach to life (and to science in particular). I'm no Thomas Edison expert by any means, but I think it's safe to say that he was really good at thinking-out-of-the-box. How many of us get frustrated with something (especially technology!), but still go about it in the same way over and over again? Maybe we do that because we can't (or don't want to make the time to) think of an alternative. Maybe we do it because it is just easier sometimes than taking the time to learn how to do something in another way. Or, perhaps we are sometimes limited physically due to the fatigue, pain, and /or the energy required to participate in the process of recovery. Whatever the reason, we limit ourselves when we don't engage in out-of-the-box-thinking like Edison.
      For example, Edison made a paradigm shift when he invented the light bulb. He didn't take the candle and try to improve it. No, instead, Edison looked at the function of light, and how he would like light to be used. He looked at what was possible, even if it did not seem probable to achieve. That's where his "I haven't failed I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" attitude saved his bacon, and gained us light bulbs forever. So here's what I think. I think we should be more like Edison in how we approach recovery (well, and life in general too). If we can doggedly pursue recovery, and make our own paradigm shift, we too can have success. Why couldn't we?
     I think a good place to start is (in true Edison fashion) to begin seeing parts of the chaos as opportunities - no, not all parts, we're still human! Maybe for some it's an opportunity to help someone else in the future with the same issue, or maybe it's an opportunity to slow down, and not take loved ones or life for granted. Maybe it's an opportunity to have the time to do something you've always wanted to do (organizing those photo albums, learning a new language, reading the classics, writing a book...). Maybe it's an opportunity to see the goodness in others; the sides of people others don't usually get to see, and/or the way in which you and your loved ones learn to work together for the shared goal of recovery. Whatever the reason, and whatever the direction your paradigm shift may take you, I hope that the idea of opportunity in wellness is something truly considered. Who knows where you may end up? Here are some quotes on the topic at hand that I find inspiring.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity 

Albert Einstein

Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises

Demosthenes

Opportunities are seldom labeled

John A. Shedd

I especially agree with that last one!

Happy labelling!

Tip #207 Picture Perfect; Pictures Really are Perfect

     I'd like to warn you that there is a slight possibility that you will think the photos below are graphic in terms of the icky factor. These photos are NOT anything violent, sexual, or anything else that could be even remotely inappropriate! In fact, I don't think that the pictures below are overly graphic at all, but I'm not you - hence the disclaimer. Why do I want to show you photos of this nature? For one reason and one reason only.... that you can see the impact that photos can have in your recovery (and how they can influence the type of care you have access to). How so?
     I'm going to skip a few lines here, so the pictures are not right up here, so keep looking if you want to see. If you don't want to see, then you'll have to trust me that photos are helpful in the recovery process, and maybe look at another post just now...

 Just how are photos helpful?

1) Have a time sensitive issue, and can't get in to see the specialist?
Here is a picture of a feeding tube in someones stomach. Tubes are not supposed to be black - they're clear. Since there's a black chunk, then something is not quite right. If you don't have (and more specifically cannot get) an appointment with your physician, then taking a photo of something that just doesn't seem right is a good strategy. Ask his/her receptionist/medical assistant for an address (email, snail, colour fax, etc) and send it in to the physician. Make a short (very short) note about it, and shortly thereafter (time line depends how concerned you are) follow up with said assistant. Ask them to see if  the physician has looked at the photos, and what actions will follow once the photo has been studied. You don't need to get all fancy and put arrows and text on it like the photo above, but if you can provide details in any form it can only help, and never hurt. Note though that a small amount of detail is best at getting the physician to actually look at the photos. Short (15 seconds max) video's are great too if it's tricky to catch a particularly "active" symptom in person.

2) Can't get to a particular medical team member (physically), and/or having difficulty describing things that happen between appointments with your medical specialist? 

So, your specialist is in a different city, or the same city but you are not able to physically be there (or vice versa)? A picture paints a thousand words. For instance, if you said "My legs are sometimes orange with purple polka dots" would that sound crazy to you - or to them? They really do that? Really? Yep. Really.

3) Wanting to more easily explain what a particular treatment looks like? 

 People often ask things like "What is acupuncture?" Does it hurt? What does it look like? etc.

Other photo uses?

• Take a picture of yourself semi-regularly to see how much better you are getting, especially since the last photo
• Mark specific milestones - maybe you are now sitting up for a few minutes, or able to do stairs, or able to make dinner -  or starting to achieve any new goal. 
• Has defective medical equipment delivered? Sometimes it's easier to show a picture of the equipment at hand, and pass it along (videos apply here too)
• Use photos via email or chat on Skype with a medical team member that can't get to you any more than you can get to them (maybe they live in a different city...).
• Send photos of your milestones to immediate family members out of town, so they too can see your progress. 
• Mark the very special times with loved ones, and look at those pictures regularly. It's good to be able to look back and be reminded of that day/activity that was special. And doing that is a good reminder that even in this crazy recovery phase, life still goes on, and fighting for help is worth it.

Well, you get the gist...

Happy shooting (with the camera only! LOL)

Tip #368 Wise Words Wednesday; Superwoman or Wise Woman?

     Hello everyone. I know it's been a few weeks since I last posted anything, but as you all know, sometimes illness doesn't cooperate or coordinate well with one's schedule. How could it though? After all, no time is a good time, and even if there were a good time, it's still not something easily planned... 

     When we find ourselves in that type of scenario, I think we have a choice to make: Superwoman or Wise Woman. What? Yep, lets reiterate -  Superwoman or Wise Woman (pardon me if you're male - Superman and Wise Man also apply:)). Which would you rather be?

     It took me a few years, but I finally figured out that I am not Superwoman. First I thought I was, then I thought I wasn't but wanted to be, and finally I decided I don't. I know what you're going to say - excellent choosing skills Val, way to be direct and certain! But hey, what can I say? I'm not always the sharpest knife in the drawer! Although I'm a type A personality, age has taught me to mellow a bit... so I don't want to be Superwoman because I don't want the pressure, expectations, and responsibility that come with that job description - especially since no human could actually fulfil that description. Well, that and the whole uniform issue - going on Superman and Wonder Woman's costumes, I'm not sure I'm up for what Superwoman might have to wear....

     Seriously though, instead of Superwoman, I am striving to be a wise woman - a super wife, friend, sister, daughter... To do that requires making wise choices that conserve energy as needed, and apply it to the most important things in life (in my case, faith, family, and friends). With that said, I did miss blogging - I love the creative process of doing it, and I thank you for your patience, and for continuing to check in. I am still humbled and amazed that you would at all want to read what I have to say - thanks! 

     As for Wise Words Wednesday? I opened a tin of mints, and the quote I'm sharing today was written on the inside surface of the lid (a very fun surprize). It was a good kick in the but for me (reminding me to slow down and pay attention), and particularly apt for what I wanted to say today about making wise decisions with one's evergy. He says:

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.

-Jimi Hendrix

That's good stuff:) So here's to listening... in faith, in relationships, and in response to the body and it's limits, too. Yep, very wise words indeed Jimi Hendrix! 

Happy Listening!