Moments D712: Relief

So, I'm still dealing with the pinched nerve in my shoulder/neck.  It hasn't been much fun.  Sleep is short-lived as when I roll over to my side (either!) the pain wakes me.  Sleeping on my back is not natural for me.  It's been challenging.  

Thursday after work, and a day of pain, I thought I'd see if I could get in for another acupuncture treatment.  I've never had an acupuncture treatment with my naturopath and thought to myself, "why not?".  Boy, am I glad that I stepped outside the box a bit.  Honestly, if my naturopath wasn't also practising acupuncture I may never have contacted her.  Shame on me, for her suggestions have offered the most relief and, in the end, I've learned something new.

My ND suggested that I pick up a homeopathic remedy:  Hypericum Perforatum.  This I've never tried before, but it's good for nerve related trauma.  In her words, "it takes the edge off."

She also suggested doing an Epsom salt compress for the tender area as I hadn't been seeing any relief from an Epsom salt bath.  (Again, something that I never thought about doing!)

So Thursday night, I started up with the hypericum perforatum and did my first Epsom salt compress.  The edge was definitely lifting, but there was still a lot of pain.  I can say that I slept deeply for the first time in nearly two weeks.  Friday I found I still had some discomfort, but any time I took the hypericum perforatum the edgy pain noticeably diminished

I've kept up with the prescribed use of the hypericum perforatum through to today and did another Epsom salt compress.

And now, I'm a believer.  Today, not only is the edge gone, but I feel like I have a shoulder and arm again.  (It's been on again/off again numb/tingly.)  I can turn my head side to side nearly completely.  What sweet, sweet relief.  Good thing because I needed to have a productive day to get through a lot of readings for school.  BANGARANG!

All because I connected with my ND for a pinched nerve.  It was random and unexpected to find solutions that were not based in either acupuncture or massage.  Label me impressed.

And my ND did this all over the phone.  I owe her.  Big time.

Moments being shaken out of the box you didn't even know you were in.

Moments finally finding some relief from a pain you've been carrying for two weeks.

Moments D711: Unexpected Compliments

Sometimes friends can really, truly surprise you.  Today was one of those days for me.

After another long day of peering at a mega-spreadsheet, it was finally complete and ready to share with the executive team.  A moment to celebrate given all the energy that has been poured into it over the past weeks (months?).  My way of celebrating was to take a well earned break and walk away from my desk for once.

Being near the end of the work day and Friday, I wandered into Arizona's office.  The rest of the team had ventured out to have a department lunch with our co-worker who was laid off back in February.  As much as I would have liked to join in on the festivities, the timing wouldn't allow it.  I wanted to find out how she was doing and catch up with Arizona as I really hadn't had much time all week to pause.  After briefly sharing how lunch was, it wasn't long before we were sharing stories of working out, aching muscles and results from the workouts.  It was within this conversation that Arizona dropped a pretty big (unexpected!) compliment my way.

An instant flush of heat hit me.  I was embarrassed, I was grateful, I was surprised by her words.  At first, we squabbled a bit about her compliment (okay, I did, and she firmly held her ground!).  In the end, there was nothing I could do but say thank you while scratching my head.  (After all, in my mind, all I could hear was "really?")

Sometimes the strangest things surface from your friends.

Sometimes it's impossible to argue against their logic.

Sometimes it's just good to take a compliment, even if your friend misses the point of the conversation being about sharing a personal frustration.  Her point:  I may be personally frustrated, but others tend to be more so.  Arizona reminded me to be grateful that I'm not in the "more so" category.

Okay girlfriend.  Message received.

Moments being shocked at a compliment.

Moments reminding you why you love your friends.

Moments D710: When the wait is over

So maybe patience isn't at the top of my list of strengths.  Most of the time, I can manage the anxiety that rises from waiting. But there are moments where the emotional pull into the worry is too strong.

This evening was one of those moments.

And as I waited, I could feel the panic rise within.  I talked myself down.  For every point that I was worried about, I found a reason not to worry.  White daemons.  But the words found were weak and failed to create robust daemons to really fight the worry away.  

And so I waited, aware that I was trying not to worry.  Aware of the rise of emotion within.  Aware that there was nothing I could do until the answers were given to me.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

And then finally, a snippet of information came through.  Two words.  They were positive words, but left a whole world of questions open behind the door opened.

The more I thought about it, the more the panic started to creep back in.  Time, my worst enemy.  I tried the tactic of counter-reasons for my worry points...and failed.

I circled back into the awareness that I was trying not to worry; of the rise of emotion within; that there was nothing I could do until further answers were given to me.

And I waited.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

And the (most) answers finally came.  A wave of relief washed over me.  I had more questions, but the deepest darkest worries had vanished, in that moment.

That moment, that moment where I felt the world's weight lift from me, that's today's moment to celebrate because I know there will be days where instead of the weight of the world being lifted from me, it will crush me.

Today was not one of those days.  I celebrate that moment.  That moment where the clouds part and the sun hits your face.  That moment after holding your breath for far too long that you are able to gasp for air and you deeply, luxuriously inhale.

That is a magical moment.

Moments knowing you are circling the rabbit hole.

Moments being pulled out of the darkness of your mind.

Moments D709: Resilience

Today's moment is inspired by BFF, for today seemed to be a breakthrough day for her.  As her friend, it's been hard to watch her struggle with all that life has thrown at her over the past year plus.  From work challenges, to physical challenges (and disappointments) to silly and sometimes complicated personal challenges from friends, family and co-workers;  quite simply she has run the gauntlet.

It hasn't been easy.  It wasn't always run with a smile on her face or a warmth in her heart, but as compelling as the draw of the dark pit can be, she managed to side-step the pit and walk forward, through the gauntlet with dignity every step of the way.

And today, TODAY was the first day where I the depth of the sunshine in her words.  Today, BFF completed another big step forward on her path to recovery.  She was lit up.  Cautious, but filled with light again.  I can see that she is starting to believe that she is on the path to better days.

And that, is a most beautiful moment indeed.

Moments having pride for your friend's hard work.

Moments knowing that today your friend is in a brighter place.

Moments D708: Curls

This morning I woke late and in a rush to get out to my RMT appointment.  In my mad dash, I noticed that I had the cutest little curl on my forehead.

It totally reminded me of pin curls.  If only I had more time to play with hairstyles.  I think I might enjoy messing around a bit.  Time is a luxury when you are working full time and doing school part time.  I do look forward to a day or three where I might be able to attempt a new "do" or two.

In the meantime, today's moment surprised me.  I enjoyed the surprise curl on my forehead as it made me giggle.

A good way to start the day.

Moments being surprised.

Moments being inspired to try a new hairdo.

Moments D707: Birthday Presents

Yesterday, just before I dropped Arizona off at home, she gave me my birthday present.  I wasn't expecting one as we had just spent the entire day celebrating our mutual birthdays.  (Her birthday was just last Wednesday!)

Unfortunately we arrived home later than I had anticipated from the spa and I literally dropped my bags (including my present), on the floor in the dining room, made my way to the washroom, brushed my teeth, washed my face and crawled into bed.  Of course, that meant that tonight after work I had much to clean up. Of course, that also meant that I had a birthday present to open today!

Bangarang!

And so I did.  Just after work today.

What a delightful surprise.  Arizona had mentioned that it was a "silly" gift.  I don't believe that for a second.  She knows I'm a foodie and her gift fell right in line with that idea.  

Perfect!  I loved it.  I can't wait to see her tomorrow at work to thank her for the exciting ingredients!

Moments enjoying a late birthday gift.

Moments appreciating that a friend knows you well.

Moments D706: Wind, Fire, Water, Sun

Last year for my birthday a group of friends and I headed to the Scandinave Spa.  Last year, I swore that I'd make it a new tradition.  I think my friends thought I was kidding.  Nope...not even a little bit.

Unfortunately not everyone could join me this year.  Life gets busy, lives are filled with other obligations and finances are sometimes tight.  That said, it was something that I really wanted to do for my birthday (again!) and I was going to go one way or another - even if it was going to be by myself, or maybe later on in April.

Out of nowhere, very last minute, Arizona decided that we should go.  For the day.  Drive up, spa for the day, have a nice dinner at Blue Mountain and then drive home.  

And so we did.

What a treat!  It was an entire day focused just on the two of us.  A two hour drive to the spa on the first spring-like day we've had.  A beautiful start to a beautiful day.

We spent the entire day appreciating the spa's amenities.  The hot tubs, the steam room (still my favourite!), the sauna, less so the cold plunge pools (even if they do come in handy when you are very over heated!), and the sitting areas, which, is where today's moment found me.

After a good long soak in the hot tub with a waterfall, Arizona & I went and sat by an outdoor fire.  Our bodies steaming in the 4C degree air, we wrapped ourselves in our towels and sat in the Muskoka chairs in front of a big wrought iron pyramidal fire pit.    I closed my eyes, breathed deeply and slowly and soaked in my surroundings.

I could hear the slow fall of the waterfalls, just to my left.

I could hear the crackling fire just in front of me.

I could feel the warmth of the sun on my face, and the heat from the fire at my bare feet.

I could feel the wind whispering through my hair and encircling my body.

And I couldn't have been more at peace.  So quiet - within and without.

Yes, this is a good new tradition.  Here's hoping I can make another visit this year.  Perhaps a girlie outing in celebration of friendship and love.

Moments enjoying a new tradition with a beautiful friend.

Moments realizing that all the peace needed can be found by closing your eyes and breathing it in.

p.s.  Yes, Pearl joined us at the spa too!