Meeting began as usual with the meet and greet. Had some new people so thats fantastic. Means we are getting ourselves out there and heard. Thank you Janice and Robin!
A phrase that our dear Rob came up with was "Don't let your struggle, become your identity." Profound isn't it? Take a moment and think on that statement. Totally epic in my opinion.
Few things came up as reminders. The Tamarac pool is offering free sessions the 1st and 2nd Saturday of each month. Ai Chi (like tai chi but in the water) in a salt water pool from 3 to 4 pm. Located on Donald street, its a great treat for yourself if you can make it.
As of January 7th, we'll be adding new support groups. The first tuesday of each month from 2 to 4pm in the community room downstairs. So if you can't make the evening ones, this gives you another opportunity to get more resources.
December 10th meeting will be our Christmas meeting. Our third annual meeting. Woohoo! 3 years strong. Love it. Couldn't and WOULDN'T have happened if Janice hadn't made it happen. You go girl! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for pushing, making it happen, AND keeping it going. The follow thru is often a breaker and you have not failed. You've even blew by the defense and are going long...
So. As I was saying. December 10th for our next meeting. Bring a small gift that is wrapped and costs under $5.00. The whackier the better. If you are bringing a spouse or support member make sure they too bring a whacky gift so it will be a even exchange. Its the white elephant game that can get slightly out of control. I've never seen blood but I think a few got over eager for a few items last year. Certain members have a very competitive nature. LOL! So bring a whacky gift, a sense of humor, and a small treat to share if you are able or care to do so. Most importantly just seeing you their to partake in our silliness is what matters! You don't even need to spend money on the gift. If you have something in your stash that you think will bring a laugh, wrap that bad boy up and we'll see you there!
We even got a gift this meeting. A timer! I use this method all the time so I know exactly where Janice was going with this. You might be skeptical. Thats fine. Be a skeptic. But "DO" it. "USE" it. And I gaurantee at the end of the month or even the week or day! You'll notice a difference. Its impossible not to. What am I yabbering about? If you follow Flylady you'll know exactly what it is. But for the others... The concept is simple. Do one thing for fifteen minutes. Set the timer! In fifteen minutes if your project isn't done, tough noogies. Move on to something else and set the timer for fifteen minutes. You might not finish your project til' later in the day or even maybe the next morning but you WILL finish it. And you won't be in as much pain. Why? Because (for us with pain issues esp. fs) repetition KILLS. Okay, maybe thats a bit overly dramatic. But seriously folks, repetition of using the same muscles for endless time is not good for us. And following a timer really does help. You just have to get used to it. Here is an example. You have a stack of dishes and its looming over you. Stop. Set a timer for fifteen minutes. Get to work. DING! 15 minutes is up. MOVE ON! Not done? So what? They will still be sitting there waiting for you. If you are tired set your timer and rest for 15 minutes. If not move on to sorting laundry or picking up the house. DING! Not done? SO WHAT?! MOVE ON! No one is here to judge you. And don't make the mistake on judging yourself, you are far too critical. 15 minutes of vacuuming. 15 minutes of rest. 15 minutes back on those dishes. 15 minutes to fold laundry. Pull the weeds. Whatever. Just keep moving to the next thing. So a ton of stuff is getting done but you aren't taxing one set of muscles. Awe. Eye opener huh? Told you she was brilliant. ;)
Lastly, I will leave you with this. Put together a small survival kit. Not a tacklebox people. But just a few things that help you in your 'real' life. You have errands to run etc. Pack a small survival kit to aid you in getting from task to task and errands ran. Janice brings a chair cushion. Because it helps her. Another lady brings a walking stick. I bring heat wraps. Whatever works for you.
Look forward to seeing you December 10th at 6:00 PM @ Pain Manager Partners 2401 River Road.
