How is Everyone Feeling?

December 9, 2008

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to check in with everyone and ask if you all are doing

ok. Are you? This time of year is always full of stress for a variety

of reasons. Add the latest numbers concerning our economy and

suddenly things can get pretty scary. How is everyone doing?

I have slashed my Christmas list in half this year. My closest

friends are getting a $5 bottle of wine, with a $5 wine

corker " wrapped " in a reusable shopping bag that cost 99 cents! I

feel pretty happy with my gifts because my friends like trying new

kinds of wines even some that don't cost an arm or a leg. And I saved

half what I spent on them last year. win - win I hope.

Everyone else on my list is getting a lovely personalized letter with

their Christmas or Yule card.

I feel good about this. Not only am I saving some money compared to

last year but I have also really focused on my friends in a personal

way.

Anyone else incorporating new or inexpensive ideas into their

shopping this year?

Holiday stress sets most of us back a month or two in healing. With

the added stress we could be hurting for longer than usual.

Does anyone have ideas or solutions to help with all the different

kinds of stress we're feeling? Asking folks over and then asking them

to cook maybe? Going out to dinner? Making a simple to prepare meal

and focus on the wonderful things that are happening in our lives. A

time to celebrate good news throughout your loved ones without

the stress of the " perfect meal " .

I had Thanksgiving dinner at my place for a few reasons. The food was

prepared according to my current dietary issues. I could lie down any

time I wanted (in my own bed) for a short nap or just to get away

from the noise for a bit. My friends know me well and allow me my

space when I need it so I didn't feel weird or more stressed out by

this.

For Christmas I'm joining friends at the coast for a few days. We

have nothing planned except watch the ocean from our balcony. If the

weather is tolerable we may take a walk or two along the beach. The

important thing about this trip is that it's all about rejuvenating.

I've been dealing with quite a lot the last few months and I just

want to be somewhere where the distractions are pleasant and

beautiful.

Anybody else out there working on ways to lower or reduce your stress

levels this year? Has anyone asked their ND for ideas? Especially

ideas that can be shared amongst a group. Please share anything you

find out because I believe we all could use the help! =)

Anything to reduce stress will help keep the Lyme spirochetes from

taking advantage of the situation.

I want to remind folks, if you have a question for me please feel

free to send me an email message at -owner .

I'll try to get back to you within a day or two at the latest. (Even

when I travel I try to stay hooked to the internet in some way.)

I hope all of you are enjoying this season of holidays! Be safe and

be well!

=)

Robynn

December 10, 2008

Hello :

I general I am thankful for how I have been doing for this last year. As you

already know small versions of my story are out in two different books, and I

have some things on 's Lyme Art Awareness Project....plus I do a lot of

writing - both poetry and a book on an Oriental Classic.

The writing is something I look forward to every day (evening usually). I

continue to read literature that is about spiritual life, healing, body-mind

relations, and transpersonal psychology. All of this has been a main-stay for

me over the years and I could not have gone on with out this spiritual resource.

I also have stayed on a diet that I received from my last doctor that keeps

toxins out of my body and does not give the body extra work to do in extracting

nutrients....etc.... (As a treat, I have some red wine with my writing in the

evening).

During the day I have a small job as Crossing Guard for children going to and

from school (with the Police Department). I am a substitute and go when called.

Coincidently, the woman I am working for now has been plagued with Lyme symptoms

for quite some time, and is out for at least a month (and had a back operation

last year because of it). It is recurring and she is not able to continue her

position right now.

During December I have not felt as well. My son has had a bad cold and the

weather here in New Jersey is so variable, temperature up and down, dry then

wet...etc....so the body cannot adjust well and the amount of sickness in the

general population keeps all kinds of germs in the air. I feel the effects of

that the last two weeks. So, I have to remember this temporary setback and keep

my attitude positive and remain it in trust and hope.

I rest more often in the day here and there during this month- but do not make a

baby of myself - on the other hand I have to be good to myself and know that

this is normal for my condition...not to feel guilty or that I am not

" performing " as I " should " ....(says who??)

Perhaps another important point that I am trying to adopt is NOT to let my

limitations become the focus of my life. Why live every day around something

that is taking over and ruling me? I have to be assertive and pro-active to the

best of my ability. Having other interests and interaction with other people -

taking the FOCUS OFF MYSELF and my symptoms and problems I consider a major

goal.

How I thank one of my doctors that told me to WALK - (when I could walk less

than a block!!!???) - but he said, it isn't a matter of how for, it is a matter

of consistency. So for about 9 or 10 years I have walked every single

day....starting with a block (with friends and family names and numbers on a

piece of paper in my pocket in case I died on the way!!!) working up now to a

couple of miles a day (love that sun when it is out!!). Not only does this

activity have physical benefits for me, but it is a psychological achievement -

something I do for " just me " - an affirmation that I CAN do it - and a victory

that each day brings. I pray and meditate when I walk - I remember my beautiful

daughter that died so young, and feel her helping me with each step when it is a

struggle - and the beautiful realms of nature - breathing spiritual wonders all

around me - and that stillness where I wait for my healing as I wait for the

resurrection of all things that have gone astray.

Also, when I remember how I used to be (who wants to???!) I am EXTREMELY

thankful for each day and any accomplishment no matter how small.

I have not had such good " luck " with relationships, however. A beautiful

younger (that me, and who isn't!!!) and I were together for some time in 2004 -

I thought it was such a wonderful event and it brought great joy to my life.

Her husband divorced her when she began to have Lyme symptoms that were not easy

to deal with. This left her with a son to try to raise in her condition. We

all got along very well - but eventually her Lyme psychology and physical

problems become central over any other concerns - thus putting me essentially in

the position of care-taker. Unfortunately I could not let this become my role

and keep my health strong. This young lady (with great potential and great

inner beauty) remains now in a care center after a suicide attempt. I do keep

some contact, but have great sorrow that we never had opportunities for a real

relationship (which I believed in) - and that her son has been taken from her

and she has lost her apartment. Any other relationships I have had were also

with Lyme sufferers - - and again, there was much parallel with this pervious

one.

My heart is good, I am caring and giving, and find human love and affection

vital to good health. Again, I must live in trust that as I act and live

through love, I will achieve a measure of reciprocity in love.

This season I too cannot afford to buy presents for others as I would like. I

too will give from the heart but not from the pocket book. This I am not

ashamed of either. Maybe this gift of poverty will let me give what cannot be