Sometimes, mine feel like this.  Other times they feel like my brain is throbbing and will surely burst my skull.  Kinda like this bit I found via Pinterest:

I have no idea if this can be purchased anywhere online, but you can visit this site to learn a bit more about this award-winning work.  If you find a place selling prints of this woodcut, please let me know.

What do you do when the only way to make it through a day is to gut it out?  What keeps you from falling apart?  What brings you strength of mind and body?  What gives you the mental stamina to endure?

I’ll be back tomorrow Friday someday with my answer(s).  In the meantime, please share yours.  I look forward to your contribution, example, and advice.

8 Things I look Forward to

1. Monday Night Dinners
2. Weekends with family
3. Yardwork
4. Acambaro Fridays
5. Saturday Morning HGTV
6. Church
7. Walt Disney World
8. Our wonderful mattress, each night… and now

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Church
2. 3.5 hour nap (Seriously!)
3. Laundry
4. birthday call to Grandma J with Daniel, and Mom, and Dad
5. admired the garden and the deck of the Douglas
6. watered my herbs
7. caught up on blogs
8. updated my iBank

8 Things I Wish I Could Do

1. live long enough to accomplish my goals
2. be a patient advocate for fibrofolks, especially fibroyouth
3. finish my book(s)
4. sleep, like a “normal” person or operate on <5 hours sleep
5. spend time with family
6. attend BlogHer and TedMed
7. 100 push ups (almost there!)
8. meet my Twitter friends and fibrfolk friends

8 Shows I Watch (on DVR)

1. American Idol
2. Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations*
3. Bones
4. Glenn Beck*
5. Lie to Me
6. Mark & Olly: Living with the Tribes*
7. MythBusters
8. in-season dance show (ie: DWTS or SYTYCD)
   *I do not watch these shows regularly.  But sometimes during dinner or on the weekends Daniel and I will indulge.

If you’ve done something like this, comment with a link and I’ll be sure to read it.  I enjoy getting to know you and I will feel much less silly if I’m not alone in admitting I actually watch eight television shows.

I am off to bed.  I look forward to your links.

I’m a firm believer that quality… or sincerity… matters far more than quantity when it comes to My Life with Fibro posts.  I feel the same about friends, random fact.  However, I am trying to become a more consistent individual, and this is yet another outlet for me to test my determination.

So, here I am.

Tonight’s dinner was loud, yummy, comforting, and humbling.  I was comforted by the simple and kind gesture of one of our group (to be discussed tomorrow).  And I got to see the space shuttle tonight.  It left me feeling small and appropriately humbled.  And excited like a child (or myself) at Christmas.  It was beautiful.  I took dozens of pictures (in which it looks like a tiny fluorescent bulb in the sky) and I’ll be sure to share some with you… later.  For now I just wanted to touch base, share some good vibes, and wish you a wonderful week.

I don’t have much to say other than thank you for your support and encouragement.  I’m working on a post for Tuesday or Wednesday and I’ll be looking for personal experiences advice.  Thank you for having a positive attitude.  Thank you for sharing your opinions and providing feedback.

Tonight’s dinner inspired me to share the peace, love, and joy I feel at these dinners with you.  So, going forward, I will share a gem from my Monday night with you.  Here.  At MyLifeWithFibro.  It may be serious.  It may be silly.  But it will always be sincere.

I look forward to sharing part of my favorite night of the week with you.

Tonight’s Takeaway:

No matter what you face in this life, you needn’t do so alone.  Allow family (biological or otherwise) to help you, encourage you, and compensate for your weaknesses.  All involved will be blessed.

I get a killer headache (dare I say, migraine) every Thursday.  What’s the deal?  Is it end of the week stress?  Is it a coincidence?  Is there really any other explanation?

It’s all a bit strange.  Thursdays are my favorite work day.  It’s almost Friday, but it’s more productive.  I suppose that after a long week I’ve accumulated enough stress to cause such a headache, but it’s incredible how quickly it arrives and how quickly it has me seeing double and heading to bed before I’m head-over-toilet, woofing my cookies.  I’m not talking a headache… the kind that hurts and makes loud noises annoying.  I’m talking…

Oh my gosh!  My vision is freaked out.  My head is being crushed by an invisible anvil.  My last four meals are on deck.  I can’t hold up my head.  My hearing is blurry (is that possible?!).  Daniel, get me to bed before I die.  And do so in complete silence.  And don’t turn on the lights…

Thusfar, I’ve survived this dreadful routine, as I will continue to.  But surviving is reactionary, and I’m looking to be preventative.  Something must change.

I didn’t start having migraines until I was at college.  I still remember the first one like I remember my name.  I remember what movie I was watching as I had a conversation with myself that went something like:

This might be the worst headache I’ve ever had.  This must be what Mom and Grandma get.  If this is just a headache, I’ve never had a headache before.  Those concussions have nothing on this… they’re hangnails.  Oh my goodness, I’m going to vomit.  I hate this movie.  I hate light.  Just make a move already! (I was watching the aforementioned movie with my roommate and a boy she liked.) I hate noise.  I want to go home.  I want to cut my head off.  I hate these pants.  Just put your arm around her!  I hate this chair.

Since then, migraines waltz in and out of my life like warm weather does an Arkansas winter.  And I’ve had enough.  My Valentine’s gift to myself was to finally kiss migraines goodbye…  But, as we learn from people, kissing things goodbye (when you intend to distance yourself from said things) is a stupid idea.  It sends mixed signals and confuses the situation…

Come back Tuesday for the rest of the story, as well as my migraine survival tips.

Depressing, right?

But then (I’m sure by now you know my mind wanders rather quickly) I started thinking about how grateful I am that (knock on wooden couch leg) I have not had first-hand experience with any such medical misfortune.

I guess in the pre-existence I signed up for monthly payments instead of the lump-sum alternative.  I hurt (read: pay) a little bit for the duration (hopefully less) of my life instead of hurting/suffering/hospital-ing a lot for a less-lengthy amount of time.  The latter option being the payment in full sort of gig (my typical preference).  The thought kinda shut me up.

I’ve never been oblivious to just how good I have it (though I still complain too often).  I’ve never really thought I’d prefer any other health challenge over the ones I’ve been issued (except maybe… um… nevermind).  And I’ve pretty much forgotten (if I ever knew) what it was like not to have fibromyalgia and arthritis.  So I can’t really say I’d rather not have them.  Who knows what I’d miss if I weren’t constantly reminded of my own limitations (and my ability to overcome them).

Actually, I’m pretty sure I do.

I’d miss out on a healthy dose of reality.  I’d think I was invincible, and therefore be immature.  I’d probably be overworked and in the Navy.  And I know I’d be too proud.

What would you miss if you weren’t constantly reminded of your limitations (and your ability to overcome them)?

*This has been the first installment of my newest weekly routine, the Wednesday What.  Come back tomorrow for details.

If you think there isn’t room for others in your life, my heart breaks for you.  And, to be blunt, shame on you.  Your attitude is exactly what is wrong with the world. I know the greatest joy to be found in this life is found in the service of others–family member, friend, or stranger.   If you think there’s nothing you can do to improve the life of another, you’re wrong.  You may not be rich.  You may not have much time.  You may not even be happy.  But you do have a heart, hands, and a smile.  And though you can’t fix every problem with those three things, you can mend hearts, build trust, and brighten days; and that’s doing loads more to create lasting global change than any gargantuan US stimulus package.  But, I digress…

Take doubts you have about your ability to serve and set them to the side.  Think of a time when you were the one in need and something simple made your day or brought you relief.  You can read about one such experience I’ve had here.  I bet these memories didn’t involve moving a mountain, running a mile, or spending a large amount of money.  Point is, I bet you can do something similar for someone else.  Look for an opportunity to pay it forward.  Pray to recognize those in need of your friendship.  Commit to have the courage to act.  And then do so.

Don’t fall prey to excuses.  Don’t expect a thank you.  Don’t do it for recognition.  Sometimes it’s best to follow the guidance given in Matthew 6:3-4.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:  That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

So, in closing, I challenge you to accelerate your recovery by serving someone else.  I pray doing so will refine the perspective from which you view your health issues.  I am confident your struggles will feel more bearable and your heart more full of hope.

I’ve finally established my weekly routine, and will be rolling out the first installment this Sunday (more details coming tomorrow, and this time I mean it).  This new routine will have me writing a post most days of the week… with a special emphasis each day.  I’d like to say it’s purely for your enjoyment, but to be frank, that’s a lie.  The most effective way I manage my fibromyalgia is by managing my routine.  Why should my blogging be any different?

In other news, thank you for being such a wonderful reader!  I appreciate your input and your consistency.  You motivate me to learn, to open up, and to rededicate myself to improving my health and my quality of life.  Please let me know if there is a topic that interests you.  I am currently working on two posts inspired by readers like you and I’d love to get some more recommendations!