CanDo Healthy Lifestyle - Journal for my Journey to Wellness 5/26/2014

This is my second installment of my journey to wellness.  This weekend has been full of remembrances that bring laughter and tears.  Some of the memories are painful but once expressed I feel as if I have a weight lifted.

Here are some of the tools that have been helping me express myself more.

1.  Video logs.  As I do my 30 minutes of exercise a day, I've been recording short videos which have helped me really see myself.  I find that I am able to communicate and I'm easy to look at so I've lost some of my self-consciousness around others.
2.  Audio logs.  These help and are free apps you can get on iphone and ipad to record yourself speaking or anything going on around you.  I've used it to get quotes from TV shows I'd like to share and for recording quotes from audiobooks so I can pause easier and get the exact wording.  The most important way I've used it is when I can't type or look at the computer anymore but still have more I need to express.  This tool has also shown me how off topic I get when I talk sometimes.  Good place to clean up my communication style.
3.  Reading this blog:  http://fallintothestory.com/dogs-disasters-and-determination/ I recently discovered that it's ok to have a mentor you don't know personally.  I find myself in sync with Nora Roberts lately.  What she recently posted (find on above link) was exactly what I needed to read for this weekend.  She challenges me whether it be via web conferences at book signings, brunches or her blog posts, she inspires me to have the courage to explore what my true purpose in life is, not only discover it but be the best I can be.  Find a mentor that interests and challenges you.
4.  Connecting with positive people on social media.  Embracing the positive posts and find positive things to share back.  This has taught me more about myself than my 51 years before combined.  Thanks to all who support me with kind words, wisdom and sharing your journey with me.
5.  Listen to the Doctor, read the notes they give you, look up the words you don't understand on the internet, and ask questions.  Don't assume, it could be deadly.
6.  Assert yourself.  You are important make sure you learn what you need to know to be the best at what you do.  Believe in yourself.
8.  The past is a rug that is rolled up, you can't change it or relive it.  The future has yet to be unrolled so we can't shape it or learn from it.  We can only stand on the rug in the present.  Its fully revealed, we can choose to dance on it, sit on it or lay on it.  Its our choice and the only time is now that we have any say of what we are able to do on or with the rug.  I hope you choose to dance.  Keep learning and striving in every moment you're given it won't be back to give you another shot at the prize.
Here's some pictures from my weekend.  I hope you find them as full of joy and promise as I did when I was in the moment.

 The flowers are a decoration for all the graves to far away for me to visit in person so I'll keep them on my deck as I keep the spirits of my loved ones in my heart as memories I'll never forget.  Grandma Effie (the seamstress), Grandpa Dean (the Chef), Grandpa Collins (National Oats foreman), Grandma Bert (nurses aid and home care aid), Mom (Casino bus coordinator), 3rd Cousin fought and died in Vietnam - Great Uncle Marshall's son, Grandma couldn't speak of him so don't know his name but he was a pilot that was shot down and killed in action.  Great Great Uncle Harvey, fought and took care of the horses in WWI.  He also painted train bridges across great expanses, many times hanging suspended to get the job done.  Great Grandpa George Holt (carpenter - built barns and much of the fine wood work in office buildings and autos), Great Grandma Blanchard (worked as a waitress).  These are the family I remember best.  Friends I wish I didn't have to remember, David Deal and Teddy Stark.  Both died at 27 but in different years.  David died in the 100 years flood in a small creek that left its banks and swept away his car.  He got free of the car but was unable to get to higher ground before he died.  Teddy died of pancreatic cancer that spread to his spine.  He exhausted all his treatment options in his fight.  Colleague Richard Huntley, Sterile Reprocessing Director and pioneer of scanning surgical instruments for electronic tracking.  He died of throat cancer.
I planted these flowers in their memories as testament to new life out of the darkness of loss.
I fly the Sentinel of Freedom as a tribute to all the troops that have died in the service of their country and to remind me to say a special prayer every time I put it out in the morning and take it in at night for the safe return of all the fighting men and women over there and those in harms way here as well.  Thanks to their family and spouses for their sacrifices too.
May all the grieving hearts find the will to keep on believing in the possibilities of hope that each new day brings.
Peace.
Melissa Blanchard