The Watermelon Credo

Watermelon has been a source of inspiration for me recently!

Last week I was happily munching on some watermelon while on twitter and I posted this: “Is watermelon good for me? It seems too indulgent to be healthy! Yummm…” It was meant as a lighthearted post, but it created such a buzz of enthusiasm for watermelon I was overwhelmed. So many people responded with health info, recipe ideas and an overall love of this super-fruit. Just take a look at this great article someone sent me on the health benefits of watermelon. Good stuff.

On the 4th of July, my husband and I spent a fun and relaxing day with two other couples. After an awesome dinner we were treated to a heaping plate of watermelon. It stirred some lively conversations; Seeded vs seedless – exactly where do the seeds go & how do you grow new watermelons if there are no seeds? How do you pick a great watermelon? What is the probability, knowing everything we now know about picking a good watermelon, that we will actually pick a great watermelon? (Two of our friends are math professors and currently writing a math book together. After much computation, the answer is 40%). How many pieces of watermelon are too many? We had a lot of fun while we devoured that plate of watermelon and it fueled us for a great game of Taboo!

And then today I opened up the new issue of Costco Connection magazine and there it was again – Watermelon. Every month Wally Amos (creator of The Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie) writes an article for the Connection called Be Positive. Wally Amos is well known for being an inspirational speaker and for his positive attitude. In 2002 he wrote the Watermelon Credo that has become the structure for many of his talks. According to Amos “it has been a guide that has helped others and me through rough times.” He shared his credo in the the Connection in the hope of helping us through these rough times, and now I would like to share it here for you:

Wally Amos’ Watermelon Credo

W – Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be.

A – Attitude is the magic word. Your greatest asset is your attitude. Be positive regardless.

T – Together everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. I am more than I am but less than we are.

E -Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. There is no limit to what can be accomplished with enough enthusiasm.

R – Respect yourself, as well as others. When you begin to respect yourself, your whole world changes.

M – Make commitments, not excuses. There is overwhelming power in the words “Yes I will!”

E – Everyday can be a fun day. Fun is the lubricant that keeps life moving forward. Laugh a lot.

L – Love is the answer. Whatever the question, Love is the answer. It is the greatest force in the Universe.

O – One day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.

N- Never give up or become a victim. You are guaranteed to lose if you give up. Winston Churchill was right, “Never, never, never give up.” It works if you work it.

Watermelon is FUN, inspirational and a great reminder for us to always live life from our highest self. Do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by events. Let watermelon remind you that you are larger than events. You have the power to create and change events by what you believe. – Wally Amos

Who knew watermelon could be so inspirational? The great and inspirational artist Frida Kahlo did when she painted this:

Viva la Vida

Last night I was on the verge of a flare-up. I was grumpy and frustrated and completely out of focus. Then my husband went to the kitchen and cut us up some watermelon. After chatting in the living room over our bowls of watermelon the next thing I knew I was feeling a little better. Maybe it was the health benefits of the watermelon, or maybe it was the change in my attitude. Maybe it was just coincidence, but somehow the flare-up was avoided.

After finding and reading the Watermelon Credo today, it is all seeming like more than just coincidence. I’m thinking we should all sit down with our loved ones over a bowl of watermelon tonight because T – Together everyone achieves more.

Product Review: Tempur-Pedic Pillows

ComfortPillow

Several weeks ago I was contacted by a marketing agency and asked to participate in a product review of Tempur-Pedic pillows. It was a simple offer. They would send me two free pillows, The ComfortPillow and The NeckPillow, and all I had to do in turn was to review my experience using them on my blog. Sign me up!

But what about the fumes?

Actually before I agreed to participate, I had one major concern I needed addressed; do Tempur-Pedic pillows release any fumes? I have heard reports to that affect about “memory” material but had no direct knowledge. As most of us with Fibromyalgia know, chemical sensitivity is a real issue. Sometimes just being exposed to a smell or inhaling a toxin can debilitate us. Victoria, the lovely marketing agent who contacted me got right on it and quickly got back to me with this response from Tempur-Pedic:

Our mattresses and pillows contain polyurethane foam which is chemically similar to other polyurethane foams utilized in many common products in everyday use including furniture, bedding, carpet underlay, packaging, and automobile seats. Like foams in other products, those used in a Tempur-Pedic® product do experience some levels of “off-gassing” and typically an odor will be associated with the same. The odor will be strongest immediately after manufacture, and will dissipate over time. Upon delivery of your mattress/pillow, you may notice a slight odor which is left over from our manufacturing process; however, this is not harmful to you. We recommend reviewing our “Use and Care Instructions” for more information. Tempur-Pedic® follows a variety of industry standards and conducts proprietary tests to ensure that our products adhere to all local, state and federal health regulations.

I was satisfied with the response so we moved forward and in a few short days I had my two new pillows.

The Tempur-Pedic NeckPillow

NeckPillow

I have been sleeping with a neck pillow for years, so was excited to try the Tempur-Pedic NeckPillow first. There definitely was an odor upon removing the pillow from the packaging, but by the time I laid down on it that evening it was nearly gone, and not strong enough to affect me. By the second evening it had completely disappated.

My first reaction to the pillow was that it is not as soft as I was expecting or used to; there is a firm quality to the material. Although firm, it was immediately comfortable for me. My head was being cradled and supported in all the right places. I did not have to adjust it several times like I did with my previous pillow, because the NeckPillow was adjusting to me.

Patented Construction

Our patented integration of multiple layers of TEMPUR material with different base materials provides a variable balance of pressure-relieving comfort and therapeutic support. The top TEMPUR Comfort Layer (A) is a softer formula that reacts immediately to your body temperature and weight. As you sink further into the mattress, the TEMPUR Support Layer (B) completely absorbs and distributes your body weight and supports your spine in perfect alignment. The typical AirFlow System™ Base Layer© provides a supportive base for the TEMPUR components and increases the flow of air to maximize comfort and responsiveness.

I slept very well on it that first night and on many nights since. My neck is my chronic hotspot for pain. After several concussions and damage from severe whiplash, it aches regularly. Usually the mornings are the worst. I can unequivocally say that my neck aches less in the mornings since I began sleeping with the NeckPillow. It has not been a cure for the restless sleep I suffer due to fibromyalgia, but it is an improvement.

The Tempur-Pedic ComfortPillow

BodyPillow

Next I tried the ComfortPillow which is a more traditional pillow. My experience was similar. It too cradled my head, and even though I am used to a neck pillow, I found the ComfortPillow just as comfortable. Hmmm, maybe that is where they got the name! I did not use it as my head pillow for long, but I continue to sleep with it as a side pillow. I rest it against my chest and between my arms to help keep my body aligned  - similar to this model sleeping with a Tempur-Pedic body pillow, except my hair usually doesn’t lay that beautifully and I often have a scowl on my face, but otherwise, just like that! It is a restorative way to sleep and minimizes morning pain and stiffness.

Seriously though, I am very happy with both pillows. They are definite upgrades from what I was previously using. Thank you Victoria at Rocket XL for asking me to participate and to Tempur-Pedic for my two new pillows. Sleep well!

The Anthem of My Marriage

I enjoy Rob Thomas’ music. His soulful voice and song writing appeal to me. With the release of his new solo album Cradlesong, fans of Rob are getting a rare and intimate look into his personal life. The first single, Her Diamonds, was inspired by Thomas’ wife, Marisol, who in recent years has struggled with an autoimmune disease. Her battle isn’t specifically addressed, but when interviewed about the song, Rob said “it’s about how something like that makes you feel empathy. I like to write about universal emotions. Everything has a base emotion; it’s just what triggers it that’s different for everyone.”

I listened to the song for the first time with tears in my eyes. It is a beautiful anthem of love – enduring love between spouses who live daily with the trials and uncertainty of chronic illness. Chronic illness is not just hard on the patient, it is hard on everyone who loves them and has to watch them suffer. This song made me want to shelter and protect my husband from all the heartache my illness has caused him. Just as Rob sings in Her Diamonds, if I feel bad my husband does too.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about how blessed I am to have a husband who loves me, protects me, supports me, honors me, and still thinks I am fabulous even on the days when washing my hair would be as difficult as climbing Mt. Everest. But when he is hurting, do I always remember to do the same for him? Probably not.

Her Diamonds touched my heart and gave me perspective. I just had to share it with you all. This post is in honor of my husband and all that he gives of himself. He deserves so much more than this dedication. He is my rockstar!

Lyrics to Her Diamonds

Oh what the hell she says
I just can’t win for losing
And she lays back down
Man there’s so many times
I don’t know what I’m doin’
Like I don’t know now

By the light of the moon
She rubs her eyes
Says it’s funny how the night
Can make you blind
I can just imagine
And I don’t know what I’m supposed to do
But if she feels bad then I do too
So I let her be

And she says oooh
I can’t take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
And her diamonds bring me down
Cuz I can’t help her now
She’s down in it
She tried her best and now she can’t win it’s
Hard to see them on the ground
Her diamonds falling down

She sits down and stares into the distance
And it takes all night
And I know I could break her concentration
But it don’t feel right

By the light of the moon
She rubs her eyes
Sits down on the bed and starts to cry
And there’s something less about her
And I don’t know what I’m supposed to do
So I sit down and I cry too
And don’t let her see

And she says oooh
I can’t take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
And her diamonds bring me down
Cuz I can’t help her now
She’s down in it
She tried her best and now she can’t win it’s
Hard to see them on the ground
Her diamonds falling down

She shuts out the night
Tries to close her eyes
If she can find daylight
She’ll be all right
She’ll be all right
Just not tonight

And she says oooh
I can’t take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
And her diamonds bring me down
Cuz I can’t help her now
She’s down in it
She tried her best and now she can’t win it’s
Hard to see them on the ground
Her diamonds falling down

Thank you Michelle at Life in the Autoimmune Lane for sharing this song first on your blog and introducing me to the anthem of my marriage!

Fibromyalgia: The Great Momentum Equalizer

Wow! Last week was bad. Hell really. One of my most intense flare-ups I have had in a while; the kind of pain and fatigue that literally distorts your facial features. The few times I bothered to look in the mirror last week and take inventory, I was amazed at how awful the stranger peering back at me looked. It was a really long week. It was nothing new. We have all been there. We will all be there again. Then why, each time I suffer that severe of a flare, does it all seem so desperate and unending?

Fibromyalgia is such a bitch! Just go back and read my last post written on a good day when I was feeling lucky and supported. How dramatically different is this post. Don’t get me wrong. It is not that I am all of a sudden sad and hopeless, I am just once again humbled by the overwhelming nature of Fibromyalgia. I was just given a very firm and intense reminder of the unpredictable and debilitating status of my health.

Today is a new day, the start of a new week. The mirror is kinder and gentler today. Everything in my life that was put on hold last week is still here this week. My blog! Oh how I miss my blog on the days I am down and out. It is my lifeline. Those of you who left comments – even though I did not reply to them, they really helped me feel connected during my flare – THANK YOU!

So, now to regain my momentum. First thing, now that my brain is starting to function again, is to make a list of all the things I want to accomplish. Second, remind myself to take it day by day. No pressure, just keep moving forward and progress will happen. Third, honor my limits. It is so easy once you get on the good side of a flare up to try and make up for all the time lost. I am not going to do that. That time is gone, I cannot get it back, and trying to would only stress my body and possibly send me back in to a dark hole like last week.

Lastly, I am going to remind myself that I am so much more than my pain and fatigue. It is a part of who I am, not all I am. Fibromyalgia took last week away from me, but this is a new week. I will continue to work towards progress in all areas of my life, because yes, even though my blog is all about Fibromyalgia, my life is not. Seems weird that I have to remind myself of that, but then if you have ever been through a flare, you know exactly what I mean.

I Am Feeling So Lucky and Supported!

Last night I had another great Fibromyalgia support group meeting. The structure of the meeting was new for the group; each of us brought books we have read that have had a positive impact on our lives in one way or another. Members brought books on topics from self-help and memoir writing to Lake Wobegon. A very clever member shared a book that has had the greatest impact on helping her with the dreaded fibro fog – a notebook! Seriously, everyone of us should have one close by at all times, and what ever you do, don’t lose it like I did mine. Devastating!

 

As each meeting does, last night validated all of the work I put into organizing the group, because each meeting and each interaction rewards me, supports me, and encourages me. I feel blessed and honored to be a part of the group, and proud that I played a part in bringing us all together. After each meeting, members are asked to rate the meeting and leave a comment about their experience. I would like to share with you a comment left by a new member attending her first meeting.

 

Dannette called the group “a bunch of scientists” once and that’s a pretty apt description. Very rarely have I ever run into people who were so interested in learning without having a (well at least I didn’t sense one…) hidden agenda. The people were kind and generous with both listening and talking and the interaction is a lot of fun. It is very obvious to me that Dannette nurtures this group and puts a lot of careful thought into how to best meet the needs of the members. The people who have joined the support group but have not yet attended a function are really missing out. This truly is a support group.

 

Can I tell you how happy this comment made me. Of course I appreciated what she wrote about me personally, but it was her overall impression of the group that pleased me the most. She sees the group as I do – kind and generous people who respect and support each other, and who are actively interested in improving their lives. We are a realistic bunch and recognize that there are so many layers to Fibromyalgia, and each book we share, topic we discuss and positive results we report is just a part of a piece of this million piece puzzle. But together we are a much greater force than each of us is alone.

 

A group like this does not just happen. First it takes someone to decide to make it happen. And that someone needs to be commited – despite their own health issues – to nurture the group and put “a lot of careful thought into how to best meet the needs of the members.” But that is only the beginning. Then people need to join the group. And then the people who join need to trust their instincts and honor their need for support by participating. And when all those pieces come together, a night like last night happens – a night of sharing and caring and community.

 

I can’t tell you how much I wish I could create a group just like this for each and everyone of you. Everyday in comments on my blog, on Twitter, in message boards, I see the need for more connection, more support and more interaction for people suffering with Fibromyalgia and other invisible illnesses. My heart literally aches with the need to help. I feel like it is my purpose, and nights like last night reinforce my commitment.

 

So what am I going to do about it? I have been brewing a plan for awhile now. It is a slow brew due to the faulty filter and machine I call my brain, but it is brewing non-the-less. My blog Fibromyalgia Haven is just the beginning of my passion to create a Fibromyalgia community for everyone, like the small FM community I am lucky enough to have created here locally. I am lucky to have this group, but the key is, I created my own luck.

 

“Diligence is the mother of good luck.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

 

And that is the truth about luck. The harder I work, the luckier I get. I am here in this place, poised to heal and to help others heal, because I have worked for it. I am going to continue to work at it. It is the commitment I make to myself and to anyone who wants to join me on my journey. You are all invited, but it is up to me to make sure the journey reaches everyone, even those of you so far off the beaten path that you are certain no one will ever find you or care that you are there. I care! And as my wise friend Hillary reminds me often – you are loved, and you are not alone.