When the Time Comes
Wow how time flies. It seems like just yesterday I held our newborn baby in my arms. She’s now living in Iowa and setting down some roots there. It’s amazing. Or it seems like just yesterday I was a young person who was skiing, sailing, and taking every opportunity to get as much activity into a day.
Today, I’m tired, I’m happy and grateful, but I’m tired. I’ve been through breast cancer, some deep emotional valleys due to circumstances out of my control, and have pushed through some definite challenges. However, the time comes so quickly when you face the process of aging and life. But as my mom always said and I’m sure you’ve heard, something to the fact that ‘if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.’
Just a little over a year ago, I went into Tachycardia one morning where my heart was racing while I was at rest. It just wasn’t stopping. After a visit to the Urgent Care, then an ambulance ride to the Emergency and cardioversion through meds, I was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia. The electricity on my heart was off and I had an irregular heartbeat.
I have an amazing doctor who is compassionate, intelligent, and thorough. He wrote a book called, “Restart Your Heart,” in which my Uncle wrote the forward to. It’s a wonderful book bringing the subject of the heart’s electricity to layman’s terms, and how to treat the diagnoses as a whole (mind, body and soul). I loved the book. The first part was technical and the second part, examples and case studies. There is hope, there is always hope.
Through this new journey, I’ve tried to dial back some and to lay things down in prayer that are out of my control. Things still stress me out and I have to remember to let things roll off my back. I’m sure this will be a continued struggle to do the above, but I want to be around. I’ve since had a Cardiac ablation, been on a weight journey, and taken some good steps towards better health to help improve things. I’ve even been taking better care of my skin (Mary Kay). I’ve had some bumps with some back and foot issues, but I’m still moving forward.
I want to share some other ways I’ve tried to de-stress in hopes that if you need a reminder or some tools, this might encourage you.
- Create art
- Organize things
- Take a walk
- Fly a kite
- Take a deep breath of fresh air on the beach
- Sleep a bit more and don’t feel guilty
- Make time to take care of yourself
- Realize that I can’t control someone else’s happiness
- Be present
- Don’t take yourself or others too seriously
How about you? What are some things that you find help you slow down, be present and de-stress?
Wishing all a great day. Praying you take heart and be encouraged to care for your beautiful self!
artsychick
Daughter, Wife, Mother, Friend, artist, vintage loving, law enforcement officer, Southern Californian, God and country loving girl who loves to meet like minded creative people, share life with new and old friends. Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better. ~André Gide
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6 Comments
Maureen Hayes
Cheryl,
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve been in touch. We’ve both been through a lot since then, but I have tried to keep in touch with some of what you’ve been through via your blog. I really liked your post here. Although I hate that you are dealing with yet another chronic health condition, your attitude is always godly. Thank you for the reminders of how we can all take better care of ourselves and most importantly to surrender to God, knowing that He loves us and wants what is best for us.
You remain a friend and in my prayers despite my being awful at keeping in touch as I should.
With love, hugs and prayers,
Maureen
artsychick
Sweet sweet friend. What an uplifting comment and message. It just touched my heart sweet one. Wishing you a beautiful Thanksgiving. Thank you for making the time and thank you for calling me your friend.
Mom
Cheryl,
In spite of all you have been through, I thank God for your positive attitude and your willingness to help others when they reach out to you for encouragement and advice when they go through some of the same things, especially the breast cancer.
I can’t possibly count how many have called on you, or even called and shared with you about a friend or loved one that are going through difficulties and asked if you could reach out to those individuals and encourage them.
I think that is great and I also think through the process of helping others, it has helped you.
Love you,
Mom
artsychick
Love you. I learned from a sweet momma.
Antoinette Baker
Loved loved loved that post! I do believe our physical environment, and how we interpret it plays a massive role in our health. As you mentioned the holistic approach is far superior for that reason. Everything in our bodies is connected and it communicates energetically w us and all life around us. I used to worry and stress a lot. But once I prayed and asked for some guidance…..it was a wrap honey! I will not worry or stress unnecessarily EVER there’s no point. If what I (used to) worried about would actually happen, I can’t go into my “past worries” pile & use ’em to cope w current trauma. So w all that (yes I’m long winded 😂) I let Jesus take the wheel and keep on movin! I appreciate your vulnerability too. It’s hard to share your story especially in this medium. All my love xoxo
artsychick
Well said and yes! Worrying is a waste of time, isn’t it? Thank you for sharing!