Quote of the Day: “It is not good for all our wishes to be filled; through evil we recognize the value of good; through hunger, the value of food; through sickness the value of health; through exertion the value of rest.” Greek Proverb
Exercise Log: Today Joe, Michael and I are in St. George getting ready for them to do a tri-athalon tomorrow. From my Mom’s house, there are the greatest walking, running, biking paths. We went 5.67 miles, almost to the roundabout with the horses. (+.66). My legs hurt from the chemo but walking has to be good for them, right? It was hard to keep going but when you have no choice but to get back home, you have to keep going.
I’m listening to an excellent book called Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and I am so impressed at how these men decide to keep their minds under their own control, as much as they can. It’s a true story of survival. One of the men remembers his professor saying something to the effect of: “Your mind is a muscle and in needs to be exercised.” So they decide to tell each other everything they can think of about their lives to take their minds off the matter at hand. They share everything and help each other survive their ordeal. But the book also talks about how these 2 men have the ability to warn fear away. And how some people are genetically wired for pessimism, it would seem, and others for optimism and a capacity to overcome adversity. I love the idea or warning fear away and retaining this belief that life can be joyous and that there is hope. It’s so easy to feel discouraged when your health is compromised. I have experienced a lot of adversity in my life and I think those lessons have helped me to deal with this illness.
Joanie, not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. You are amazing! I have read your blog and continue to keep tabs on your progress. I am sending prayers your way. Hope you can feel them. You are so loved.