Final Exam

FINAL EXAM

I am tired but do not allow myself rest

I must perform better than the best

I worry about leaving Dad an empty nest

Now my physical and mental abilities are put to the test

This is one test I will not succeed in passing

My mind, my body, have been thrashing

Situational anxiety and stressors, out are lashing

They almost chased me away, running and dashing

I will do it differently today

I will get my way and have my say

Silent predators, anorexia and narcolepsy among others, will not stand in my way

I will face them head on and keep them at bay

If only I had so much power

I could allow myself to sleep another hour

These internal rules are starting to pile up, to tower

I will look deep inside, and reach out as well, and will not cower

To succumb to new diagnoses, allow myself, I will not

Healthy internal voices help diseased one’s rot

Even when they sneak up on me, which they do a lot

This story, I can change, because I am the author of this, my plot

By Donna 11/19/2010 10:40am

Donna said...

This is a great example of Turning the Mind, or setting intentions along journey of achieving Wise Mind, repeatedly; sometimes several times within a minute's time span (Turning the Mind). Writing poetry gives my life meaning (Meaning). It allows me to Describe the situation from both perspectives (Describe and Wise Mind). I wrote while being connected to my body (Awareness). I did not dissociate. I tried to take an uncritical viewpoint when drawing conclusions (Non-judgmental stance). Hope you enjoy it and respect the hard work that is many's life career.

p.s. It's full of Imagery, too (Imagery)!

Everything Except the Essentials

I wrote and I wrote and I wrote some more (Describe).  What did I write? 

I focused on the positive by blogging about “A Day When Everything Went Right”.  This helped in several ways.  It helped me to keep upbeat (Build positive experiences).  It increased my self esteem and confidence (Build Mastery). It reminded me how I faced something difficult and overcame it (IMPROVE - Encouragement). 

At a friend’s suggestion, I blogged to raise both awareness and funds for hunger sponsored by the World Food Programme.  It gave meaning to my life since I have a fairly extensive volunteer history at both the State Food Bank and the Food Bank of the neighboring township.  It also gave me meaning since I have been a recipient of Food Stamps (IMPROVE-Meaning).  I have seen both sides.

I also wrote my six words on pain and hope cosponsored with TWLOHA – To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit group centered around raising awareness for youth on depression, suicide, and self-injury.  My writings included:  “Sunlight and positivity brighten my day”, “No longer living in perpetual darkness”, “I stopped comparing myself to others”, and “Breathed in. Breathed out. Calmed down” (Awareness and Observe Breath).

I also bit my tongue, well actually just kept tight-lipped when Dad irritated me and I was annoyed and chose not to nitpick or fester an argument (Opposite to Emotion Action). Things are going better overall between us.

I did not take a nap although I needed to since I was tired.  This is one essential that I skipped today and I did not do as well as I could with respect to anorexia’s reign (PLEASE- Sleep and Eat).  I think I might try another skill when that comes in to play, perhaps the skill I was banned from because I was too good at it and overused it – (Pros and Cons). 

I used a lot of skills and want to work on the essentials.  The simplest things are sometimes the hardest for me.  That said, anorexia, perfectionism and productivity go hand-in-hand. 

I think I’ll wave goodbye to them and you (Turning the Mind).

Trick and Treat

Today I am taking a slightly different twist on Halloween.  Instead of “Trick or Treat”, I am saying “Trick and Treat” because, with the dialectical, I can have two opposite emotions at the same time (Dialectical).  One does not negate or preclude the other.  Please feel free to borrow the saying for next year.

Today has been both.  I am going to be brutally honest.  The tricky part of the day involved the tricks that I allow anorexia to play on my mind.  My body image has been skewed for about 8 months now.  I am not allowing myself guilty pleasures including potato chips, candy, massages and daydreams.  I know that in moderation, any of these are fine and I do believe it sometimes (Wise Mind). 

The other trick is self-doubt.  I was certain about my decision not to get back together with my ex-fiance and I am uncertain that I can stick with my original decision.  I am gullible (Non-Judgmental Stance)am vulnerable when my defenses are down such as when I am tired, when I don’t give my body nourishment, and when I am faced with strong emotions including laughter and anger.

I was really tired, twice today, and I refused to take a nap (PLEASE-Sleep).  In other words, I did not allow myself a treat.  Actually, for me, the narcolepsy makes napping a requirement instead of a treat.  I had a hard time using skills today and I can have a better day beginning now (Turning the Mind).

The treat was that my relationship with my Dad seems to be improving.  We hugged.  I scratched his back.  And he has mine (Relationship Effectiveness).  I also treated myself last night with Belleruth Naparstek’s Guided Imagery for Fibromyalgia (IMPROVE- Imagery). 

I remembered to pray and express my thanks that the pain in my neck and head eventually abated.  I am grateful it was not worse, like last year.  I also asked for help from Mom & God to decrease my anxiety (IMPROVE- Prayer).  They reminded me to use Describe.  I’ve been spending too much time in my own head, so when I realized I was doing this, I stopped.  Instead I focused on one thing at a time (One Mindfully) and described the objects in my room out loud (Describe).  This really works for me and is a wonderful thought stopper. I also focused on the physical sensations of my body, where it was and how I felt (Awareness).

I was cognizant of my language.  I don’t usually curse, but this is not what I mean.  Instead I was conscious of avoiding terms like “Always”, “Never”, “All”, or “None” (Relationship Thinking).  I think I succeeded.

With that, I will proceed to wind down for the night. And once again, “Happy Halloween – Trick and Treat”.

Skills Testing: High Difficulty Level

It was difficult using skills today.  I started off with a high degree of pain from both the fibromyalgia and the stress.  I had a moderately bad headache from the many knots in my neck and upper back.  I did manage to remember to breathe (Breathe) in 2 out 6.  It immediately helped calm my adult version of a temper tantrum.  Dad helped too.  His encouragement and listening made a big difference.  Coffee helped my headache as well.

I am proud to say that I recognized that today would be draining so I made sure to provide fuel to my body and mind in terms of food (PLEASE – Eat). 

Today, I went to visit my maternal grandmother.  I love her very much and she reminds me of how much I miss my mother, her daughter.  Halloween is especially difficult as Grandma, Pop-Pop, Mom, my twin sister and I always went trick-or-treating together.  It’s one of the memories that I’ll most likely have for a lifetime.  Pop-Pop’s gone too.  He passed away six months after my mother.

Luckily, my therapist was able to return my call and help me cope with my latest challenge (IMPROVE-Encouragement). Thanks so much, Dr. H.   I repeated three things that she told me as best as I remember.

1.                Today is a different day

read: the past doesn’t have to be repeated and be totally in the present moment (One-in-the-Moment)

2.                I don’t have to go down that path

read: I don’t have to make decisions before I even face them, and I can prevent a self-fulfilling prophecy

3.                Stay out of my own head

read: I can get lost in my own thoughts and stay fully focused of what I am doing exactly that minute (Awareness) and do something that distracts me (Distraction)

4.                I don’t have to stay if I don’t want to

read:  I can leave at anytime and go for a walk

             

By doing all the above, I was able to fully focus on Grandma while taking care of myself (Effectiveness & Participate). I was able to pray and ask my Mom and God for help (IMPROVE – Prayer). 

I also gave myself permission to leave when I wanted without guilt.  This was a first.  And Grandma does always try to lay guilt on, not to hurt me but to protect herself. 

I also incorporated a little self-soothe (Self Soothe the Five Senses) by using white tea therapy body lotion on Grandma’s hands while doing her nails (Build positive experiences).

I usually experience narcoleptic symptoms after visiting Grandma because narcolepsy is triggered by strong emotions and I love and worry about Grandma very, very much.  So, I am writing now (Describe) and promise that I will listen to Belleruth Naparstek’s Guided Imagery for Fibromyalgia (IMPROVE – Imagery) as I fall to sleep.