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:
kali N shoko……ya noe dont cha….yur mom iz veree veree veree wize……knot like bass terd owl kinda wize……but wize…..hope everee onez havin a good day ~~~~ 🙂 ♥♥♥
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…you think fishy friends? We were thinking about sticking an owl feather in her hair and calling her Owl mom…..not bass terd though. mol
Shoko and Kali
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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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Thank you so much for linking us up. I had problems where the code showed up underneath the hook up.
Jean
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Pain is hard to ignore but finding something to at least focus on other than pain works. And the same thing with our pets – they can take us away mentally from a lot of things by their gentle ways.
Hugs, Pam
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So very true! When we focus on something else…our mind and n=mood can change when pain stops.
Jean
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What a quote to live by. A glass can be 1/2 full or 1/2 empty. I chose 1/2 full
Hugs madi and mom
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It is a quote to live by….we are always learning to deal with events that come our way. This will never end.
Not Crotchety,
Jean
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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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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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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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And, like my friend, you turn something negative into good. Yep, admire you both.
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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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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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This is hard to do…but worth working at. 🙂
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Definitely, Sue. It will always be a work in process as some days are painful beyond belief but it’s the way I deal with the pain that is the telling factor.
Jean
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Great Spark ! I am glad you found something to take your mind off the pain, but I am sorry you have pain. XO
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It’s life Ellen….we all have something. It’s how we handle our trials that seperate the winners and wimps. I gotta admit somedays I’m a real wimp.
Loves,
Jean
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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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I forgot to tell you how much I love your Spark today! (But I LOVE your squash soup even more!)
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haha…I prefer my squash soup too. Do you have any secrets for Beef Barley Soup? Mine doesn’t taste like the restaurant Beef and Barley Soup.
Loves,
Jean
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Hey, are you hitting mom up for more soup? Just funnin’ with you two. Thanks for the vote of confidence. It means a lot to me.
Shoko and Jean
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Love your Spark! Chronic pain is a nasty one. It is amazing how our mindset helps us get through what life deals us isn’t it? Glad you are one of the strong ones 🙂
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It is fascinating how we choose to deal with our pain and what works…I must admit finding a way to deal with pain is a challenge.
Jean
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Oh for sure!
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Our attitude makes all the difference. Chronic pain can wear us down but it doesn’t have to overwhelm us. You are wise and encouraging in your journey with pain.
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How nice of you to say Patricia….but I do have bad moments. So I shall be in training….constantly.
Jean
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True for all of us!
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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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It is Katty but so difficult to accomplish at times. Thanks my friend.
Jean
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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And that wrinkle above our noses suck and make us look older!
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I’m glad we had this talk also! Juliea
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Very wise words…fink yourself happy and happiness comes!!!
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
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hehe…not quite that simple but you got the idea. A positive mood never hurt anyone. I can’t imagine the “princess” ever in a negative mood.
Licks and Purrs,
Shoko and Kali
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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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Mom loves thyme and has thyme bubble bath but they don’t seem to make it anymore…..so she’s keeping it until hell freezes over! mol
Shoko and kali
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Ooh I’ve never seen a bubble bath of it – I use a cherry blossom one, much to the interest of my audience. No such thing as a private bath/shower…I am generally accompanied by one or more cats! 😸😸🛀
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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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I totally agree and feel as we age we mellow.
Jean
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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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Good “Sparks” – It’s always good to find something to occupy one’s mind to help take the stress away. Your fur babies are adorable.
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It can be a struggle to find something that is as all consuming as the pain….but I found something.
Jean
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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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Hi Lisa…Pain is a toughie to deal with and all we can do is try our best. After all we are the winners if it works. Photo Editing is a hoot….such fun.
Thanks for visiting.
Jean
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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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It can be tough finding that thing that can absorb your mind and block out the pain center. Hope you find it my friend.
Jean
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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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