Sparks of Training

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Sparks is a Monday blog hop.  It’s a positive way to start the week with quotes that inspire us onward.  Annie of  McGuffy’s Reader is the one who inspired this blog hop.  Thank you, Annie, for the opportunity to share our positive ideals and by doing so instilling these ideals  in ourselves and others.                                     
Today we look at:

Sounds easy, eh? Well, it’s not.

When one is in severe pain, the pain sears into every thought, every idea, every step one takes.  How do we ignore the pain?  We can’t ignore the pain but we can work with it.  Any thought that is in our mind cannot exist when another more consuming thought enters the picture.  For me it is photo editing….it is such an all-consuming task for me that it needs my total absorption.  This is not a cure because the pain will come back but it is a reprieve.  Also my mood changes from sad to happy…..because I have managed to accomplish something in spite of that pain, that brings me pleasure.  I am ready to laugh with someone. Without the pain I would never have looked for a way to overcome it and never experienced the joy of accomplishment and the sweetness of joy….could the joy be any sweeter than when pain is exchanged for a few laughs?                                                         Throughout the good and bad….the girls are with me….                                                

56 thoughts on “Sparks of Training”

  3. Comedy Plus

    Very well said. It’s hard to be joyful when you’re in such pain. Having a reprieve is a wonderful thing.

    I linked your kitties to Awww Mondays. They are adorable.

    Have a pain free day. ♥

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  7. messymimi's meanderings

    It’s not always easy, but there is something to be grateful for each day. Last year when this area flooded (more homes were destroyed here than in Houston because of the hurricane), one friend who lost his home was told by his wife, “We have to look for something good, some blessing, every day, because it will be there.”

    As he waded through his flooded house, he looked at his kitchen and he almost jumped when he realized he had his first thing for which to be thankful. He said he’d always hated that kitchen floor, and now he had an excuse to get rid of it!

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  8. Amy

    Jean, I never realized how much pain you are always in. My closest friend in PA has had lupus since she was in her 20’s, yet her attitude is always happy and upbeat. I greatly admire her and how she handles it. Adding you to those I admire. ❤

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    1. The Canadian Cats Post author

      I’m sure your friend has days like I do when settling the pain is my deepest desire but everything changes and it does fade in time. I was 30 when RA decided to move in….it has made me way more understanding of peeps. I never see things in black and white.

      Hugs,

      Jean

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  9. McGuffy's Reader

    I can relate, Jean. I have lived with pain for many years, too. But, I refuse to let it define me. It has shaped me, but many things have. I define me by the way I react and interact. I focus on what I can do, not what I cannot do. Thank you for adding Sparks. HUGS!

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    1. The Canadian Cats Post author

      Welcome to the club Annie. I think we do pretty well, don’t you? Some days way better than others. I like to think many things define me and my various illnesses are a small part of me.

      Jean

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  12. Marv

    I so agree! Pain has been a part of my life for many, many years too. Its how we choose to deal with it that makes or breaks us.
    You Jean, are amazing!
    Love Barb

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  15. easyweimaraner

    that is very wise!!!! with a well trained mind you can sail over all seas of live and you will discover the good even through all storms and the highest waves… I think to see the good in all situations it to live life the purrfect way…

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  16. Patzy and Miss Juliea

    It’s funny how doctors have forgotten how to heal pain or how to prevent it in this age of pharmaceuticals. I have peripheral neuropathy and for many years they over prescribed me oxycodones. They didn’t work anyhow but I thought it made me feel better. Finally, a sports medicine doctor told me to try Capsaicin and Lidocaine rubs and that along with ibuprofen work wonders within about 20 minutes. Some days I have to repeat the regimen multiple times and other times I’m good for a few days. Doctors have all but forgotten how to doctor nowadays. Juliea

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    1. The Canadian Cats Post author

      I agree Juliea. I don’t like medication because of the side effects and there are some doozies! I need some medication but am trying to stay on low doses as I’ve found various methods that help the pain.

      Thanks for visiting.

      Jean

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      1. Patzy and Miss Juliea

        There are a lot of natural ways to control the various pains we get. I think doctors think their job is to provide drugs. But I know that some medications are necessary. As long as you have a good balance of medications, natural remedies, diet and exercise we can help manage the pain. We are not perfect and sometimes rely too much on medication when we can change things through proper diet and more.
        I am on a few meds and I believe I need them but could be on a lot more if I didn’t change my lifestyle.

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      2. The Canadian Cats Post author

        There is a balance that we can hit with natural type methods. However, as the pain does further damage, these methods must change to work better. I do not want more medication but sometimes I must take the pain kilers as nothing else works and what do you know? I start to feel human again as the pain subsides. We do what we can to live through the pain. I enjoyed our talk Patzey and Miss Juliea.

        Jean

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      3. Patzy and Miss Juliea

        I agree. You know I have that darn wrinkle between my eyes from scrunching up my face in pain. And yes, the pain pills are necessary sometimes. I’m just saying the doctors need to be teaching other methods of pain control to minimize how much narcotics we use. Some good ibuprofen can a lot of the times work better and sometimes just a hot compress can work also.

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      4. The Canadian Cats Post author

        I think I too am getting a wrinkle on my nose. Right now my RA is flaring and those pain killers are the only things that settle the pain. So I am very glad for them. I take am Ibprofun and emtec….usually a half but not today. With RA, it loves cold….it’s a bit cold out for an ice pack but I do take one to bed with me.

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      5. Patzy and Miss Juliea

        I am discovering new treatments that work regularly. I have peripheral neuropathy (without diabetes thank God) but luckily it has become less frequent this last year or so. There are many different treatments for different ailments and new ones being discovered all the time. Pain pills (oxycodones, Vicodin) helped a lot but in my case I have found 800mg ibuprofen works very well along with pain rubs like Lidocaine and Capsaicin. It’s so weird that (4) 200mg ibuprofen do not work nearly as well as one 800 mg ibuprofen but it does. Now I don’t have to take narcotics that mask the pain for about 4-6 hours where I feel better longer with the 800 mg ibuprofen.

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      6. The Canadian Cats Post author

        I did not know much about peripheral neuropathy so I looked it up and this seems a hard pill to take….how was yours caused….if you don’t mind me asking? I notice that Methotrexate also can cause peripheral neuropathy. This is a medication I have been on for years and two months ago started coming off. It certainly helps my RA but tends to make me very impatient….not fun to be around..hehe What is your outcome with peripheral neuropathy?

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      7. Patzy and Miss Juliea

        They don’t really know. It’s an auto-immune disease and they tested me for everything. I believe it was caused by black mold in my house due to leaking gutters. I had a pet rat in my room with me at the time and he died at the same time I was getting sick. I am very sensitive to chemicals and their odors and can’t be around perfume or harsh cleaners. It’s called MCSD. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder. Both issues are hard mostly because people don’t believe you. They just think I am making it up. There are way too many chemicals in so many products. Just like mold can, they can all cause problems.

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  18. samanthamurdochblog

    Shoko and Kali…your mom is a total dude…she’s brave and resourceful and inspirational. Thyme oil can help, but capsaicin is good too..and of course, cats are always the best remedy 😺💕 lots of love to you all 😺💕xxx

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  19. mommakatandherbearcat

    You’re right … it IS hard to see the good – especially when you’re feeling something acutely. I do think it’s a learned skill though. I used to get caught up in the pain and not be able to see beyond it, but I think I’ve gotten better at seeing the large picture as I’ve gotten older. Telling yourself not to think of something never works … but having compassion and acceptance for one’s self and where one is in the process usually does.

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  21. Three Chatty Cats

    I’m so sorry to learn how much pain you’re in. I can understand why that saying is hard to achieve, but definitely worth it if you can find the good. Sending hugs! (And I love your photo editing, btw!)

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  23. Lisa

    It’s such a credit to you to have found an outlet to help handle your pain. I can spend hours photo editing and love every second of it! I’m sorry for your pain and hope it’s something that can be diagnosed and remedied. It’s always hard to find the bright lining in some of those storm clouds.

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  24. Deziz World

    Dat’s pawsum awnty Jean. We’re glad you have found somethin’ to take your mind off the pain. Mommy does the same thing all the time. Wish it was foto editin’ fur her, cuz we’ve got a ton of fotos dat need editin’. MOL Big hugs and lots of purrayers.

    Luv ya’

    Dezi and Raena

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  25. KDKH

    I wish a good box could be enough! I totally relate to your circumstances. I published a blog yesterday about ways to cope with a chronic illness. It looks like you are already rocking #2 and #6. Good for you!

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We love mewing with you my friend so pull up a cushion and let's chatter like the squirrels.

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