tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56951472973292025882024-03-13T09:03:06.619+11:00Faith & FibromyalgiaA blog about living as a Christian whilst suffering with chronic illness (fibromyalgia).ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-63815012182194376572018-11-14T18:40:00.001+11:002018-11-16T13:48:40.652+11:00On to New and Exciting Adventures! This blog has now moved and expanded. Follow me on this new adventure <a href="http://livinginthepainlane.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-78172091827589914532015-04-15T09:55:00.001+10:002015-04-15T09:55:25.068+10:00Today is a hard dayAre you having a good day? What if you're not? What if today is bleak, and hard, and simply making it out of bed is all you can manage to do? What if you're not sure you have the strength to make it to another day? <div>
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You're not alone if that's you. Today is a hard day for me. And here are some things I am reminding myself of, about God, his purposes and his love for me: </div>
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(1) <b>Jesus is on the throne</b>: It feels like chaos. It feels like I'm falling apart and nothing works. But Jesus has risen from the dead, and is ruling over everything, which means this too is in his control. (Revelation 11:15)</div>
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(2) <b>I can lose lots of things, but I can't lose God</b>: Romans 8:35-39 assures me that even the depths of struggles and suffering can't separate from God's love in Christ and :Philippians 1:6 assures me that God will bring me to completion & he can do it with or without my strength. Phew. </div>
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(3) <b>If I breathe, this too shall pass:</b> Because of Jesus and his death and resurrection, and because I call Jesus my Lord & Saviour, this life will be the worst I'll ever have to endure. This madness and suffering has an end, and I will continue to breathe after it. (Revelation 21:1-5)</div>
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(4) <b>I am a jar of clay with treasure</b>: My brokenness displays more of God's power & that is glorious. (2 Corinthians 4:7-12, 12:7-10)</div>
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What encourages you to keep going, when the pits of darkness overwhelm you? </div>
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ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-58966032371442053632015-04-08T17:52:00.001+10:002015-04-08T17:52:08.537+10:00Resurrected!Hi everyone,<br />
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In the spirit of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and due to some encouraging feedback, I have decided to resurrect this blog.<br />
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Hurrah!<br />
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<br />ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-27654741691446674482013-08-12T17:29:00.000+10:002013-08-12T17:29:00.220+10:00Going Grey? New Research shows that people with fibromyalgia may have greater premature ageing risks.<br />
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When comparing healthy vs FM patients, it was noted that:<br />
- Both groups contained the same volume of white matter in the brain.<br />
- FM patients however had significantly less grey matter.<br />
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What does this mean?<br />
White matter is the tissue through which messages pass between different areas of grey matter within the nervous system. Using a computer network as an analogy, the grey matter can be thought of as the actual computers themselves, whereas the white matter represents the network cables connecting the computers together.<br />
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It has been found that every year of fibromyalgia was equal to approximately 9.5 times loss in the normal ageing process.<br />
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What is the implication of this?<br />
- The brain undergoes structural changes in response to chronic pain and stress.<br />
- This means our brains for those of us with fibromyalgia, could potentially be 20 years older than our actual age.<br />
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Read more at: <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/brain-grey-matter-atrophy-seen-fibromyalgia">www.examiner.com/article/brain-grey-matter-atrophy-seen-fibromyalgia</a>ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-5761815776920974212013-08-11T17:30:00.002+10:002013-08-11T17:30:28.780+10:00Cognitive Dysfunction & FibromaylgiaDo you struggle with fibromyalgia and have a bad memory? Do you find it difficult sometimes to be able to get a whole thought out before it disappears? It could be linked to your fibromyalgia.<br />
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New research suggests that fibromyalgia patients perform more poorly than the counterparts of their age, in three areas:<br />
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1. Free recall: remembering words<br />
2. Working Memory: everyday info<br />
3. Vocabulary tests - accessing words from memory<br />
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Research also suggests that blood pressure, anxiety and depression have no effect on fibromyalgia patient's cognitive abilities.<br />
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Sad news: There is currently nothing available to help improve this.<br />
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However, there is some hope: Here's some tips that may help us as we battle our own cognition:<br />
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1. Establish regular routines: Eat and sleep at the same time regularly.<br />
2. Snack every three hours, rather than eating full meals.<br />
3. Use reminders and to-do-lists.<br />
4. Take breaks when you find your concentration waning.<br />
5. Avoid multitasking, as it reduces your effectiveness.<br />
6. Pace, pace, pace.<br />
7. Avoid loud noises, bright lights and other distractions in your environment, particularly where you sleep.<br />
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Do you have any strategies that work for you?<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/cognitive-dysfunction-and-fibromyalgia">www.examiner.com/article/cognitive-dysfunction-and-fibromyalgia</a>ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-21203677781347291452013-06-29T17:51:00.000+10:002013-06-29T17:51:53.375+10:00It's Not all in your Head after all..Researchers have new reached a new breakthrough in relation to fibromyalgia.<br />
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Previously, researches believed fibromyalgia to be a psychological problem. Approximately 20 years ago, it was believed to be a change in the way the brain processed pain, causing hyperactivity in pain centres, although the cause was unknown.<br />
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Now researchers have gone one step back and discovered something that may cause the hyperactivity in your brain.<br />
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Your hands... sounds too simple to be true? The culprit is thought to be our arteriole venule shunts. How do they work? They work to keep our hands and nerves at the right temperature, kind of how a car radiator works. In warm conditions, the shunts close, which forces blood into the capillaries at the skin surface to radiate heat from the body. Under cold conditions, the shunts open allowing blood to bypass the capillaries to conserve heat, which is why our hands get cold.<br />
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Excessive nerve fibers concentrated in these areas are thought to cause mismanaged blood flow, causing muscle pain, acheyness and hyperactivity in the pain centre of the brain.<br />
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So does it explain all our symptoms? Probably not. Is it an important breakthrough? Yes. It shows progress.<br />
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It means we are one step closer to figuring out how this madness began and how we might cure it or ease the suffering from it.<br />
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Source: <a href="http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112879104/fibromyalgia-is-not-all-in-your-head-new-research-confirms/">http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112879104/fibromyalgia-is-not-all-in-your-head-new-research-confirms/</a>ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-20304337575092634702013-06-01T21:34:00.000+10:002013-06-01T21:34:04.535+10:00Nothing a glass of wine can't fix???Does alcohol actually make fibromyalgia worse? If so, how?<br />
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According to the Mayo Clinic USA and researchers at Michigan University, low and moderate drinkers had better scores for physical function, ability to work, the number of work days missed, fatigue and pain, than people who abstained. Moderate drinkers who had between three and seven standard drinks a week seemed to have less pain than low or heavy drinkers.<br />
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Why? Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which is low in our brains, is thought to bind with the alcohol causing lower perceived pain levels. But like any good thing, too much is going to hurt you. And when it wears off, the pain levels are likely to return.<br />
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Keep in mind, if you do if have intolerances such as fructose intolerance, you will need to limit your drinking to spirits or one glass of dry red wine depending on your tolerance levels.<br />
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How does alcohol affect your pain levels? Does it make it better or worse?<br />
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For details of the full article, read at: <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130315074615.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130315074615.htm</a>ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-90930578308578566582013-06-01T21:17:00.000+10:002013-06-01T21:17:10.543+10:00Welcome back!Hi fellow bloggers and friends.<br />
<br />Apologies for the long delay between posts. Unfortunately the nature of this illness is that sometimes back to back flare ups make it quite difficult to survive, let alone blog or do anything else.<br />
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But by the grace of God, I hope I keep being strong enough to keep trucking on and keep blogging.<br />
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<br />ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-84980638918157392192013-02-04T21:18:00.003+11:002013-02-04T21:18:45.779+11:00Day 4: Hope Springs... or maybe it just bands.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is what hope means to me:<br />
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Two things:<br />
1. <b>White band</b>: that God loves me.. that though I am a rebeller and an outcast, he sends his Son to die for me on a cross and bring me back to good relationship with Him. This God can save me, can heal me and can give me strength to press on...<br />
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2.<b> Purple band</b>: that my fibrocommunity and support group is with me.. that no matter how mean / unhelpful other people may be calling me lazy, or denying me the help I desperately need, only a facebook message away is a smile, a hug and a loving word (more than one or two)....<br />
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What does hope mean to you?ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-14472564703227806282013-02-03T12:47:00.001+11:002013-02-03T12:47:53.179+11:00Day 3: Look deep into my soul....Every eye is unique - one thing that's sure of is that it is a window into our soul....<br />
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Today's theme is to photograph something starting with an "E"...<br />
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Look deep into the picture.. what do you see? Lots of "E"'s to me... Eye, Eyelashes, Eyebrows, Egg shaped...<br />
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What really intrigues me is that if you look deep into my pupil, you can make out a few dots, that when put together make my pupil look like a smiley face... Eerie.. (and that's another E!)<br />
<br />ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-42067908639993878292013-02-02T12:34:00.002+11:002013-02-02T12:34:16.116+11:00Day #2: Patterns that change livesSo today's theme is "Pattern" - This photo was taken in my Paris trip last year in Montmarte, a beautiful artsy town in the north of Paris. This picture captures what is called, "The I Love You Wall", where thousands have written "I love you" in various languages from Hindi, Tamil, French, Spanish, English etc, etc, and the list goes on..<br />
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There is nothing more comforting to the soul than the words, "I love you" and this is the pattern is full of those words. May it be a comfort to your soul as it was to mine and clearly to the couple in this photo as well. </div>
ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-32213833782359862582013-02-01T11:40:00.002+11:002013-02-02T12:07:27.070+11:00Day #1: Forks can be Fun<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friends and fellow fibro survivors, welcome to the first Friday of February. To have a little fun, I have decided to join the Feb Photo a Day Fun Challenge... What does it involve you ask? Simple.. each day has a theme, take a photo and post, linking back to #FMSPHOTOADAY - Let the festivities begin!!!</div>
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<b><u>Day 1: Fork</u></b></div>
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<b><u>The Themes</u></b></div>
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<br />ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-85486447135350951422013-01-30T19:53:00.000+11:002013-01-30T19:53:00.428+11:00The Voice of Jesus<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">THE VOICE OF JESUS</span></em></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">by <a href="mailto:EdwinandMaryH@aol.com">Mary Hastings</a> (c) <a href="http://www.fms-help.com/poem3.htm" target="_blank">Fms Poetry</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXupHYMvQ9ss79oVJzkFGttzTmkjixCICHby6TlybdFvsJAVLddZAZI7ELTGHHrqd3RaQi-2srBMW-SlrxJ0iIT1zzeWmrqGAT1rlQllzlHlR_ym-IOlf1lcbFwe911J97l-ed3LsxB4/s1600/jesus+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXupHYMvQ9ss79oVJzkFGttzTmkjixCICHby6TlybdFvsJAVLddZAZI7ELTGHHrqd3RaQi-2srBMW-SlrxJ0iIT1zzeWmrqGAT1rlQllzlHlR_ym-IOlf1lcbFwe911J97l-ed3LsxB4/s1600/jesus+rock.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I can feel the voice of Jesus,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saying " Be still and know I am here;"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I know what you are going through,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And remember that I am near.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I know you do not understand,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But in time I will reveal,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All these things that do not make sense,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Are yet a part of My great will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There is something that I am showing you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And some day you will see;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The struggles that you are experiencing now,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Will draw you closer in your walk with me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It is in this time of suffering,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">That you’re gaining more wisdom and faith;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And I have so much more in store for you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But right now be patient and wait.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You need some time to learn and grow,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I guide you through each day;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And though it seems you are all alone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am holding you all the way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In your time of weakness and your pain,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Your strength I will make strong;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I will show you life in a whole new way,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Leading you to the place that you belong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Although right now it seems unfair,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Be aware on what sights are set;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Because I have a job just for you,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And I’m not finished yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You are so very blessed if you look around,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And I love you oh, so much;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have not turned you away,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I want you to feel my touch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Please don’t get angry and never give up,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Let your faith in Me bring hope;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And when you feel like you are slipping away,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hold strong to my Hand as your mighty rope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">All things work for good if You’re trusting in me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So you always have to believe;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It may not look so good to you now,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But there are many blessings you are going to receive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">If I can create the Heavens and Earth,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Then know I can take care of you;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So you need not worry about anything,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Just wait and watch what I can do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Come to me daily in conversation and prayer,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Stay focused on My word;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And I will guide you each step of the way,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As My revelations to you are made heard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rest assured that you will overcome,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This trial will one day be past;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But the lessons learned and the gifts that are gained,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Forever they will last.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Live each day with glory and praise,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Be an example that others might see;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And when they ask where you find your peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">You can then tell them all about ME!</span></div>
</span></span>ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-9002692441591766702013-01-30T13:31:00.001+11:002013-01-30T13:31:59.302+11:00The Biggest Fibro Lie: I'm Okay....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Who can you encourage today? Whose hand can you hold? Who can you hug when words are just not enough?ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-36192430942620743772013-01-20T20:27:00.002+11:002013-01-20T20:27:38.124+11:00How Long?<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>How Long?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My God, it is not fretfulness</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That makes me say "How long?"</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">It is not heaviness of heart</span> </div>
<span style="color: blue;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">That hinders me in song,</span> </div>
</span><span style="color: blue;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">'Tis not despair of truth and right,</span> </div>
</span><span style="color: blue;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Nor coward dread of wrong.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But how can I, with such a hope</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of glory and of home;</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">With such a joy before my eyes,</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"> </span></div>
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Not wish the time were come</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Of years the jubilee, of days</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">The Sabbath and the sum?</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">This life, how long it seems!</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">And how can I in evil days,</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">'Mid unknown hills and streams</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">But sigh for those of home and heart</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">And visit them in dreams?</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Be calm, my troubled breast;</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Each restless hour is hastening on</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">The everlasting rest.</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Thou knowest that the time thy God</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Appoints for thee is best.</span></div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Awake the cry, "How long?"</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Let now faintheartedness of soul</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Damp thy aspiring song,</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Right comes, truth dawns, the night departs</span> </div>
</span><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;">Of error and of wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">These years, what ages they have been!</span> </div>
</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Yet peace, my heart and hush my tongue;</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Let faith, not fear nor fretfulness,</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> —Horatius Bonar</span></div>
ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-79246532067396870952013-01-16T19:57:00.001+11:002013-01-16T19:57:18.470+11:00Show me your pain....Many doctors / relatives etc refuse to believe in fibromyalgia as there is only a diagnostic checklist to confirm its presence... Well, maybe not for much longer..<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Scientists have long searched for a method to objectively measure pain and a new study from Brigham and Women's Hospital may have the answer. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWJkz6EREI2hMw3qKnqpuPO_BqWAGMpqzOcs2JACQP-hZNYbv6MBMG4ZcKVsQDMLHWkDzI32X0YZrKFOV_B7DIKzHqgJtTZ2SqJF9Mgtr1Hmise4B-WyIW8ysyDvLQYF-PeGRbhtU0zk/s1600/BrainMappingFibro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWJkz6EREI2hMw3qKnqpuPO_BqWAGMpqzOcs2JACQP-hZNYbv6MBMG4ZcKVsQDMLHWkDzI32X0YZrKFOV_B7DIKzHqgJtTZ2SqJF9Mgtr1Hmise4B-WyIW8ysyDvLQYF-PeGRbhtU0zk/s1600/BrainMappingFibro.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>The following is an extract from Science Daily News:</i><br />
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"While we need to be cautious in the interpretation of our results, this has the potential to be an exciting discovery for anyone who suffers from chronic pain," said Marco Loggia, PhD, the lead author of the study and a researcher in the Pain Management Center at BWH and the Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital. "We showed that specific brain patterns appear to track the severity of pain reported by patients, and can predict who is more likely to experience a worsening of chronic back pain while performing maneuvers designed to induce pain. If further research shows this metric is reliable, this is a step toward developing an objective scale for measuring pain in humans."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit;">Specifically, researchers studied 16 adults with chronic back pain and 16 adults without pain and used a brain imaging technique called arterial spin labeling to examine patterns of brain connectivity (that is, to examine how different brain regions interact, or "talk to each other"). They found that when a patient moved in a way that increased their back pain, a network of brain regions called Default Mode Network exhibited changes in its connections. Regions within the network (such as the medial prefrontal cortex) became less connected with the rest of the network, whereas regions outside network (such as the insula) became connected with this network. Some of these observations have been noted in previous studies of fibromyalgia patients, which suggests these changes in brain connectivity might reflect a general feature of chronic pain, possibly common to different patient populations." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: normal;">If such research persists, we might have an accessible mapping technique to prove to those "nay-sayers" that we are in fact, undeniably </span><b style="line-height: normal;">IN PAIN</b><span style="line-height: normal;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff2cc; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: normal;">Source: </span><a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121220195752.htm">http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121220195752.htm</a> </span></div>
ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-20912520160113608852013-01-10T11:47:00.001+11:002013-01-10T11:49:01.822+11:00R&R 101: Serenity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPmfex-rSfxnr4JV_xb6PNBlfU-10XBtayNigwXNNtjEQqxV99c1r_M4yP0FWDkGQeQh_HEdgPA7Vm4H9ZW6WIFl2QXeV2d1rE8mR4EQDYWFixhuQSkr0QnLPpnIIZ7_Ccbt1x4_GxBg/s1600/20121226_201448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPmfex-rSfxnr4JV_xb6PNBlfU-10XBtayNigwXNNtjEQqxV99c1r_M4yP0FWDkGQeQh_HEdgPA7Vm4H9ZW6WIFl2QXeV2d1rE8mR4EQDYWFixhuQSkr0QnLPpnIIZ7_Ccbt1x4_GxBg/s400/20121226_201448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(c) Merimbula Lake, ChronicFaith 2012</i></div>
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Nature has an amazing way of calming and distracting us away from pain and focusing us on the world that is & God it's creator. Enjoy some amazing views captured by yours truly... Stop, Stay and Reflect.. even if it's just for one moment.. The God who designed all of this, made you & is perfectly able to hold you together. </div>
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"You will keep in perfect peace</div>
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him whose mind is steadfast,</div>
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because he trusts in you. </div>
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Trust in the Lord forever, </div>
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for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal."</div>
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<i>Isaiah 26:3-4</i></div>
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"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, </div>
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the world, and all who live in it; </div>
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for he founded it upon the seas</div>
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and established it upon the waters."</div>
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<i>Psalm 24:1-2</i></div>
ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-205635440221916022013-01-10T11:38:00.000+11:002013-01-10T11:38:10.934+11:00I remember....Let me tell you about something that seems to be helping me get through this pain..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmcrBGYvOt5zxGlw8RM-U4s6JKWXHD7bkTrSDd5Lq26Xyr7ZksEuZ2C56SlCH1zcLH581SPE9Qb0DshTUpuVAUr4eDpWaEcNBC19fvRIvLZ2aGBy9k7Xlo-2OcCJ85Grp0w3p3T11BJ8/s1600/homedics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmcrBGYvOt5zxGlw8RM-U4s6JKWXHD7bkTrSDd5Lq26Xyr7ZksEuZ2C56SlCH1zcLH581SPE9Qb0DshTUpuVAUr4eDpWaEcNBC19fvRIvLZ2aGBy9k7Xlo-2OcCJ85Grp0w3p3T11BJ8/s1600/homedics.jpg" /></a></div>
For a while, I've been fascinated with memory foam.. it seems to be popular, but does it really work?<br />
<br />
If you haven't heard of it before, memory foam is supposed to remember the position of your head and body and thus conform to it. It also has the added bonus of reduced muscular pains and keeps your body cool so that you can avoid those pesky night sweats..<br />
<br />
I've used it for two nights so far and already I can notice the difference.. Especially for a person suffering with fibro, who spends most of the day in bed, it actually helps. How, you ask?<br />
<br />
- While I sleep, the pillows keep my head aligned. My previous pillows were too high resulting in intense neck and head pain each morning<br />
- While I sit, it cushions my bum & my legs, thus reducing sores<br />
- It eases my muscles so that I can get out of bed easier<br />
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It really helps! And don't worry, once you get up, the foam goes back to normal. Thus, even if you move around in the night, it will conform to your new position each time.<br />
<br />
It can be quite pricey - I bought my set off CatchoftheDay for $100. Money well spent!<br />The only downside now, is that I am resting better and therefore, just can't seem to get up!ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-72236629145267708432013-01-02T15:51:00.001+11:002013-01-02T15:51:34.077+11:00Laughter Lost Episode 10: Fibro Fog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLL4QjqmlniqDne-TEg1kc93PU674IzYMmtcWT0TZOBuQ2ygLvGSnaq0g4BwJwMyuFXD7rFTW1e5lcjmZALXpiqyPXGQgAfIrC406Yaz5ekHna9SmrYcGkwHwixqyJSsSLRG1ofhLX2k/s1600/FibroEcard6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLL4QjqmlniqDne-TEg1kc93PU674IzYMmtcWT0TZOBuQ2ygLvGSnaq0g4BwJwMyuFXD7rFTW1e5lcjmZALXpiqyPXGQgAfIrC406Yaz5ekHna9SmrYcGkwHwixqyJSsSLRG1ofhLX2k/s320/FibroEcard6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-64065020856550383802013-01-01T19:04:00.000+11:002013-01-01T19:04:23.882+11:00My New Year Wish to you... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJXxne-1XUvtIWHDWAsTkLpxCFsMSFiBmwGjKEDc71En1bPoOt02lC0Ej9CXLZcDd3cPQqdYMNeFccg6qlJy0QeSg9yFAXHOsb3CZXaco30duM9V4Hb6BRTzpyJHHJjZOpW0yvLA86DQ/s1600/newyearwish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJXxne-1XUvtIWHDWAsTkLpxCFsMSFiBmwGjKEDc71En1bPoOt02lC0Ej9CXLZcDd3cPQqdYMNeFccg6qlJy0QeSg9yFAXHOsb3CZXaco30duM9V4Hb6BRTzpyJHHJjZOpW0yvLA86DQ/s1600/newyearwish.jpg" /></a></div>
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I know you can do it, because we are survivors!! </div>
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ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-24392959332785793772012-12-24T16:31:00.000+11:002012-12-24T16:31:00.167+11:00Surviving the big "C"No, this isn't a post about cancer.<br />
<br />
How do you survive this holiday season with your Fibromyalgia or other chronic illness?<br />
If you're anything like me, this season probably brings more people contact than you can handle, more intolerable foods that you have to eat and more flare-ups that you can count...so is there any way you can minimise this??<br />
<br />
Here's my top five tips:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdpktAerqfxbnZQEHsTlnt2MCfGHFSUpXmjmu3nuGrm8sKfk798moh9olND0nJxpaZCWrazA1ZRonuJ9DSpFoA0FfMwc2qTsF30SIBpAlRPEppX25ZJfHi1nvG6C0mqpG78F3Y6u8um4/s1600/goodies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdpktAerqfxbnZQEHsTlnt2MCfGHFSUpXmjmu3nuGrm8sKfk798moh9olND0nJxpaZCWrazA1ZRonuJ9DSpFoA0FfMwc2qTsF30SIBpAlRPEppX25ZJfHi1nvG6C0mqpG78F3Y6u8um4/s200/goodies.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>1. Plan, pre-plan and pre-pre-pre plan</b><br />
If you love doing things like baking goodies, then there is no harm in starting to make them from November, to give yourself time to slowly make them, rest and then start again. There's nothing worse than having to push yourself to get it all done in the last minute.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hADfg_9thNIuro2zC-bFDsju_gcImo8zPGL7sQTw5J5szYi4DuJAj3C3S9tSPAvTxUPFgg9ohsr8O-_Eq90wYKX2P_Ak64eZIDnGohaCjDEHPjhgGBmwyLW2fXP-3nV1C0XfUNySIM4/s1600/presents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hADfg_9thNIuro2zC-bFDsju_gcImo8zPGL7sQTw5J5szYi4DuJAj3C3S9tSPAvTxUPFgg9ohsr8O-_Eq90wYKX2P_Ak64eZIDnGohaCjDEHPjhgGBmwyLW2fXP-3nV1C0XfUNySIM4/s200/presents.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>2. Buy them early, wrap them slowly</b><br />
Same goes for pressies.. Try to get your shopping done early. It also helps to do your shopping online, that way you can do it in your pj's with a heatpack to soothe your pain. If you can afford it, pay a little extra to have your presents sent wrapped. Or else, try to do one a day or two, if you can manage it. Christmas is no time to forget your mantra - pace, pace, pace.<br />
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<b>3. Two kiwis and a lemon</b><br />
If Christmas finds you eating a whole bunch of unhealthy or intolerant food, that leaves you bloated or heavy or constipated, try a home remedy. Make sure you have two kiwis atleast a day. I also find that soaking a slice of lemon in water not only makes a refreshing treat but also triggers your liver into cleansing your body. Plus, as an added bonus, they're fructose free!<br />
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<b>4. Enjoy, even if only for the moment</b><br />
Make sure you do enjoy yourself. Have a laugh. Chat to some family. Remember, <b>you are not your illness</b>. Sometimes, it helps to forget for a while and remember what life used to be like. Have some cake. Have a glass of wine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv_w4Q2UrLtB23rlfTSCvfr1fMfe8CByzU9W3hN8e5laNiqzyH3dHjvMbhpWzfzd8_45tsO1cSYK4KhYrWGODkuX-e8jQCnWNvMK2Ab5MjpMkk-UqwIiDGB0R6X5nFIM-3EKaKxBEtjQ/s1600/relax.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv_w4Q2UrLtB23rlfTSCvfr1fMfe8CByzU9W3hN8e5laNiqzyH3dHjvMbhpWzfzd8_45tsO1cSYK4KhYrWGODkuX-e8jQCnWNvMK2Ab5MjpMkk-UqwIiDGB0R6X5nFIM-3EKaKxBEtjQ/s200/relax.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<b>5. Schedule some recovery time</b><br />
This is possibly the most important one. Anticipate that the season is going to be tough on you. Plan some time doing something that helps your body recover afterwards, whether that's a warm bubble bath, a good cry, a long nap or anything else that comforts your body. You deserve it!<br />
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Do you have any other tips that have helped you in the past? That are helping you right now? Please do share.<br />
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Most of all, have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!<br />
Love to you all.. xoChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-29124601478841358592012-12-24T09:50:00.000+11:002012-12-24T09:50:56.457+11:00It's been a long time coming....Hi friends,<br />
<br />
Sorry for the long delay between posts. As you can probably appreciate, I have been struggling with back-to-back flareups, that have been never-ending!<br />
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Still, as we approach the end of another year, there is always hope... Hope that things might get better, hope that we might be stronger & hope that the next year might see us coping & surviving..<br />
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Wishing you hope today, no matter what kind of day you are facing.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4VDNk5FBUfENcC6uXoY50Zj2AvX83RGQlkYO_tfAjkHDZVRyrrswk6uLEQubDNbzsUtCEE1X58VSTfoIvwwg2cNvMan3kSIOlI4XMGPnDJLXXk3F9kY9zkk5C7c-ao_VoUdMmgYbSlI/s1600/Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4VDNk5FBUfENcC6uXoY50Zj2AvX83RGQlkYO_tfAjkHDZVRyrrswk6uLEQubDNbzsUtCEE1X58VSTfoIvwwg2cNvMan3kSIOlI4XMGPnDJLXXk3F9kY9zkk5C7c-ao_VoUdMmgYbSlI/s320/Hope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-13337546916056383812012-10-19T11:46:00.001+11:002012-10-19T12:06:01.920+11:00An App for Everything..If you're anything like me, you've got one or both of the following two problems:<br />
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<b>Problem 1:</b> You have way too many medications to take and you know that research shows that medications are better absorbed if you don't take more than one at a time.<br />
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<b>Problem 2: </b>You cannot seem to remember to take your medications on time.<br />
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So what are the solutions?<br />
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<b>Solution 1: </b>Bang your head against someone with a good memory and hope it transfers across.... OR<br />
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<b>Solution 2: </b>Get this Pill Reminder App on your phone (This is an Iphone App, but there may be one for Android too)..<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0srPIyr-jXfC-hggh_DIuzRFStXXZyyJXI_eotG3s0MGNvNgjcRLCRsdC07lsWLHlcjWKe7hsWtgKmF2QlWwAty55pS83xydcwKF0pNKPCp0tqURiTihiLQXY558qtdzPpDw2ApD41g/s1600/Pill+App.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0srPIyr-jXfC-hggh_DIuzRFStXXZyyJXI_eotG3s0MGNvNgjcRLCRsdC07lsWLHlcjWKe7hsWtgKmF2QlWwAty55pS83xydcwKF0pNKPCp0tqURiTihiLQXY558qtdzPpDw2ApD41g/s320/Pill+App.jpg" width="276" /></a></div>
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Now I've tried a few of these kinds of Apps and found them useless..This one is a little better.<br />
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You can set reminders so that you phone tells you to take each medication at a certain time. The other convenient thing you can do is set the number of medications you have so that it reminds you when you need to fill another script, which is perfect if you have a memory like mine..<br />
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Have you found any other nifty ways to help you remember to take your medications?ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-4730073755548362192012-09-21T16:25:00.000+10:002012-09-21T16:25:12.023+10:00Laughter Lost Episode 9: Today's Forecast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9CCS-w48k_P6Ovs42Z0OjJUbI9RZ-WES_cgyhoukWSD9E5KEEglKuPVD399Q0b53XHw9-dpwirqBQtWQ2-RdYiDAv8cu1LmWBlZXVGYKeQQ9BAPqovrjOIGJw-MHjxC-RNqhPirrPRk/s1600/Forecast+for+Today.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz9CCS-w48k_P6Ovs42Z0OjJUbI9RZ-WES_cgyhoukWSD9E5KEEglKuPVD399Q0b53XHw9-dpwirqBQtWQ2-RdYiDAv8cu1LmWBlZXVGYKeQQ9BAPqovrjOIGJw-MHjxC-RNqhPirrPRk/s320/Forecast+for+Today.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Forecast's been true for me today... How about you?ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5695147297329202588.post-77620752105255062982012-09-18T19:50:00.001+10:002012-09-18T19:50:30.233+10:00Weight Lifting Champion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
People sometimes ask me, why do you look so stressed? Why are concentrating so hard that you look like you are frowning? </div>
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Answer: Because I'm using all my energy to ignore a multitude of pain; On top of that, I'm working just like you are...I have the weight of the world on my back.. If you don't believe me, try carrying it yourself & you'll look like me too.. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vxeIhOoN_gTi4G2UULtUwlhlRd9cACSuhbTbjo_SoTi8Ul0H8FXJ6uv7aQj3jnrFhFOBYzIB0cerrEtyLYAAFw4NZ6V2Wbs2f9n7Mz9DdpnSrVLy5tLP_Z3o66qf3RYkSVVGkDPiC5o/s1600/weight+of+the+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vxeIhOoN_gTi4G2UULtUwlhlRd9cACSuhbTbjo_SoTi8Ul0H8FXJ6uv7aQj3jnrFhFOBYzIB0cerrEtyLYAAFw4NZ6V2Wbs2f9n7Mz9DdpnSrVLy5tLP_Z3o66qf3RYkSVVGkDPiC5o/s1600/weight+of+the+world.jpg" /></a></div>
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Thank God that while we may feel like this, we have a God who holds the hold world together and asks us to lovingly cast our cares and concerns on him that we might find relief.<br />
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<i>"Throw all your worry on God, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7</i></div>
ChronicFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00197330271863518357noreply@blogger.com0