Tag Archives: Just breath

Dealing with pain

02 Friday Oct 2026

Posted by in Daily Life, Daily Message, family, Finding Me, travels

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“I can bear any pain as long as it has meaning.” ― Haruki Murakami, 1Q84

It has been unbelievably hot in Brazil now.  When I arrived 3 weeks ago, it was perfect. It was in the high 60s, low 70s.

Now:

It is spring now. I can only imagine what it will be like in the summer.

I got the results of my MRIs and went back to the doctor to review them.  It turns out I have a lot issues in my neck, hip and lower back.  It is from years of overworking and lack of care, years of ignoring pain, years of prolonged sitting at the computer, etc.  

My neck is the worst.  The pain shoots down the arm and it made impossible to sit down.  The doctor gave me medication for inflammation and pain.  I also got infiltration done on the neck, shoulder and arm.  The doctor wanted to do it on the back and hip as well, but I wanted to address one area at a time.  It worked like a charm.  At least now, I am able to work, sit and sleep without pain.  The next steps would be infiltration on the hip and back, and physical therapy.

Looking out from mom’s balcony:

A blessed weekend to you all! ♥♥♥

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” ― C.S. Lewis

 

 

Just breathe… the air in Brazil

24 Thursday Sep 2026

Posted by in Daily Life, Daily Message, family, Finding Me, travels

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“If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.” ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Letters from a Stoic

I have been in Brazil for 2 weeks now.  Life continues to be too busy, but it gets busier in Brazil.  I am hoping for an easy routine.  I am tired of work and family pressures.  Don’t get me wrong, I feel incredibly blessed to have both: work and family. And I am sure I will find myself missing this craziness some time in the future – or maybe not!

I feel I have worked enough.  I dream of retirement and of my time being my own to do whatever my heart desires.

I haven’t been able to establish a good exercise routine since May, and because of that my body has suffered.  I have a debilitating pain that starts on the neck and travels down my arm.  And lets not forget the hip and back pain, that was kept at bay with stretching and exercise.

On Monday I had 3 MRIs done: neck, lower back and hip.  The results will be ready later today.  

My doctor asked: “You don’t smoke, do you?”  I said: I don’t.  He said: “If you smoked you wouldn’t have this pain that you have.  Smokers take breaks often to smoke.  Clearly you sit at the computer too many hours straight.”  He added: “If you smoked, you would be at risk for lung cancer among other things, but you wouldn’t have this pain.” He likes to joke, but he is right.  I don’t take enough breaks during my word day.

In the meantime, while Michael went to Florianopolis with my brother,  I was left home to take care of mom, work and herd cats.  Herding cats literally!

Florianopolis is a city with tons of gorgeous beaches.  Michael wanted to surf, but all he got was rain and cold.  It is off season.  But he saw another area of Brazil and fell in love with it.  Every time he goes to a new place, he says:  we should live here!

Now, back to the cats.  We have 3 cats that we inherited from a neighbor that moved. They sleep the whole day, and at night they go out and it is a nightmare to try to coax them back in.  When I finally get them inside they fight with each other and cry to go out.  This is throughout the night.  I would just put them out, but mom is afraid they will get hurt.  I am not sure what happens when my brother is here.  Perhaps they are just missing him.  It has been a nightmare.

BUT, I do realize that I am in control of my emotions and responses and nothing else. Life is not perfect.  If life is not fun and games, then it is a lesson.  I thought I was done learning, but we are never done.

I am now trying to make peace with the it all, good and bad.  I am working on being less critical of others and myself.  I am an Aries, and everything that comes to mind I say it.  I am learning that not everything needs to be said.  Not everyone wants to hear my thoughts on how to improve something. Who do I think I am? 

Sending blessings and my love to all, and leaving you with some pictures of the adorable creatures that are driving me crazy (Nala, Luke and Ze Jorge) … a neighbor’s dog (Chico) for good measure.

“I promise you nothing is as chaotic as it seems. Nothing is worth diminishing your health. Nothing is worth poisoning yourself into stress, anxiety, and fear.” ― Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience

 

 

3 YEARS TODAY???

07 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in EX Files

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Today it would have been 3 years together. The ex corrected me on a text the other day saying that is not” would be” but “are”.  Are? Are we still together? I guess we have different ideas of what it means to be together.

When you hint (well, more than hint) that I should move out and I do, we are not together!

When we see each other once a week when you have time, we are not together!

When you warn me that you are not doing anything for Valentine’s Day, no flowers, no card, no dinner, we are not together!

When I am not first, second, third, fourth or fifth in your priority list, we are not together!

What I am is convenient! I am here for when you need/want!  The sad part is that I am better than that!  But right now I feel I don’t have the strength to change anything.

I decided to just love and make no judgement about anything.  I have to be honest that deciding to just love has been freeing.  It has made me lighter.

On this 3 year anniversary would be, I thank God for the time ex and I spent together. I thank ex for all he taught me and all he introduced me to. Thank you ex for the trips you have taken me to.  thank you for introducing me to tennis and skiing.  Thank you for treating me like a Princess (well until you didn’t anymore).

I have no regrets of our time together.  I have no regrets of ever loving you and for loving you still! I will love you forever.  I am trying to move on as best as I can. I am trying to hold it all together. I thank God for the good memories that I will cherish forever.

May we be able to remain friends, supporters and fans of each other.  May my heart not turn to stone, but become so huge and soft that will encompass all!

From my heart and soul I wish you ex all the best, may God guide you and open all the doors that have remained stubbornly closed.  I wish you find what you are looking for. I wish you happiness, contentment, harmony and peace!!  With love for all that to be with me, but perhaps the Universe has other ideas, so please be happy and send the world happiness!!!

****

What I really wanted today was to receive flowers from him at my desk. What I received was a text saying “Happy 3 yr anniversary, wish we could be together more”.  Not that I want to be picky, but where is the “I love you”??

Come on, Miss Blessed, you said you decided to love, so just love and be grateful you got that and move on!!! Just breath!!!!!!

****

I knew that today would be a major difficult day.  The anniversary coupled with PMS, and is also Chiefy’s birthday.  Chiefy is the ex’s dog.  I came to love and care about that dog like I never cared about any creature before. Today, and actually, any time I think of him (which happens on a daily basis) I say a prayer to Saint Francis – the patron saint of the animals.

Today Chiefy, on your 8th birthday may God protect and guide you. May Saint Francis be always watching you! May you have long health, shiny coat, water, food and warm bed.

I love you Chiefy!!