Cultivate Gratitude

Over the past week I have been encountering many situations that require perspective, prayer and reflection.  When we widen our lens and view in life and consider the fact that we have a say in how our day goes.  We have a say in how we react to what occurs throughout our day.  We have an opportunity every morning when we wake up to say I choose to be happy. I choose to make tomorrow a great day.  Stress is merely a perception.

Personally, scholarly, financially, relational lyrics, healthwise and professionally I have had some crazy days lately, but yesterday I took a walk when I was feeling like a teapot that was about to whistle.  I sat down, grabbed my cell phone and looked up positive quotes on Pintrest. I took some deep breaths in and out and I thought about basic things that God has provided me with. Food, shelter, clean water, a job, family and friends who love me.  I struggle with anxiety and depression, but this week has been a tough one and I lost my sunshine a little bit. However; I'm a from believer in putting on the right bandaids to cope until you don't need them anymore. Do what you love! Color, go for a bike ride, do yoga, journal, call a friend or ask a friend to go on a walk with you.

Life is full of ebb and flow. No one ever said it would be perfect. There are so many things going on globally, nationally and locally. If we focus on all of the negativity the media feeds us, it is easy to get bogged down. Seek balance.

I challenge you to put on the bandaids. Seek balance. Make time for you and practice self love, it is not selfish to take care of yourself spiritually, physically, and emotionally.  Find your constants. Constants are things you choose for you like every day I will ____________(fill in the blank).  

Hugs & Aloha,

Pineapple Jenny

Always Be Kinder Than You Feel

Every one is fighting their own battles. Even when you don't feel it, shine bright!

Life is full of so much "stuff". Bills, work, school, carpool, daycare, more bills, car accidents....you name it! 

Remember that tomorrow is never promised. Moments make memories, memories make a life, a life full of memories is a legacy.

What are you doing today that can make you 1% better than you were yesterday? Was it simply changing your perception? Was it opening the door for an elder? Was it smiling at a stranger? 

Go on that walk because you're worth it! Go to the gym, because YOU'RE WORTH IT! Start a new book, because YOU'RE WORTH IT! Go back to school, because YOU'RE WORTH IT!!!

Sometimes life can bring you down, but it is your choice to choose to become bitter or BETTER!  Make the choice to become better every day.  Wake up with a purpose and shine bright!  Live aloha and pass it on.  What you do TODAY, can improve all your tomorrows.

Believe in Aloha

A design from our friends at Project Aloha

Happy Aloha Friday!!! The aloha-spirit is more than just a few words.  Aloha means so much more than hello, goodbye and love.  

Here is a great article about the Aloha spirit.

A, ala, watchful, alertness 

L, lokahi, working with unity O, oia'i'o, truthful honesty H, ha'aha'a, humility A, ahonui, patient perseverance

For me the aloha spirit is a way of life.  It is a way to spread positivity, love others and unite with others.  I nevva evva leave home without it!  Have you ever had a stranger smile at you while crossing paths on the sidewalk?  It can be something as simple as that!  In the spirit of Valentine's day, I challenge you to smile at at least one person each day this weekend whom you don't know and hug someone you do know!

READY.............SET, GO!!!

Suffering in Silence....The Journey to Me Again

This past few years have been the most challenging of my entire life.  I have had one thing after another happen in life. Mostly health challenges cause by not taking care of myself.  I was (am) very depressed and hiding it and I neglected myself in every way. Nutritionally, spiritually, financially, relationally, emotionally and physically. The result of my actions or lack thereof resulted in a knee injury, a painful emergency appendectomy, and then the grand daddy of 'em all my back injury in May of 2014. Since that day I hurt my back I have not faced one day without pain, inflammation, challenge and emotional pain.  Almost a year ago, I was officially diagnosed with chronic pain (DUH!), fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

God literally had to put me flat on my back for months in order for me to slow down and listen to HIM.  I would practically crawl to work and come home to crawl into my bed I was in that much pain.  My PM&R doctor (who sees patients all day that are in extreme pain) told me that I have a really high pain tolerance.  I withdrew from social activities because I literally could not muster the energy to do regular tasks.  I was in a new job and I am blessed to still have it.  I withdrew from friends because I did not want to complain or bring them down.

I decided to fight based on many circumstances in my life. I have learned so much from this season.  I've learned my short comings, my strengths and that I am not super woman (dangit!). I've learned that I cannot count on many people, but that it's important to ask for help.  It is ok to say that you "have plans" or say "no" and not give a reason why.  Achieving balance is so important when facing a chronic illness or auto-immune disease.  I am a helper by nature and a people person so I like to help others.  Through all of this I have realized things I knew in my head, but I do not think I knew at my core in my heart.  I know now that you must first love yourself enough and take care of yourself so that you can fully love and help others.  

I found an amazing supportive community online, MyFibroTeam full of others who face chronic debilitating, life-changing pain every day like I do.  They even have an app too!  This community has served as a wonderful outlet for a plethora of resources.  There is space to ask questions, understand what others face, celebrate victories and share tough days with people who truly understand and do not consider you a complainer or a whiner.  I am a sunshiny person who always looks for the silver lining, but this has really affected my entire life and sometimes it is VERY difficult to even get out of bed due to the fatigue and pain I face everyday.  The most challenging part of many chronic illnesses (such as mine) is that we "do not look sick".  Please let me advise you to NEVER, EVER, EVERRRRRRR say such words like this.  Or things like "just drink an energy drink" as they are very disheartening for the warrior fighting just to do simple things like get out of bed and shower.  I ask that you read this quick story about a day in the life of a chronic condition sufferer written by Christine Miserandino called "The Spoon Theory".  Thus the term spoonie was born for those who suffer from chronic pain or a chronic condition.  A medical doctor of a fellow "spoonie" said that it would take a normal person staying up for three days straight without any caffeine to even begin comprehend (not fully understand) the amount of fatigue of someone with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia.  

Most days I smile through the pain and I can fake it, till I make it.  Often times I cannot do this though as I literally wear my pain on my face and my heart on my sleeve, although I try not to.  Many have asked how I am and how my back injury and healing journey is going so I decided it would be healthy for me to put my journey to words.  My only hope is that I can provide one small glimpse to others who do not face chronic pain or chronic health conditions into just how challenging it is and encourage those who do face chronic conditions to press onward.  I know that others have it MUCH worse than I do and I realize that and I am grateful for that everyday (almost, everyday).  

What I have learned and lived the most in the two years is that it is ok to ask for help. It takes a stronger person to admit that they need help.  I learned that I am very stubborn and hate asking for help. I like helping others and myself.  When my back pain and mobility was so limited I could not even do basic things like put on my chonies, take out the trash and tie my shoes.....I mean come on people!  A 30-something year old should not have to use a dressing stick!?  I learned humility is one of the hardest things to have and gain.  I was honored to have a Pops (my dad) who would come over on his way to or from work to scoop the kitty box, take out trash, take my laundry home to have mom wash it and help me with whatever else I needed.  I was blessed to have a Mama who would wash my laundry for me, help me with basic tasks like grocery shopping and even rent a dressing stick and pick up stick so I could care for myself.  Let me tell you being single and all alone is more apparent when you are literally stuck in bed in so much pain that you cannot even think straight.  I swear my tears were even crying ha-ha.  Through this time I almost lost my job (a new job that I had only a couple weeks when my injury occurred), I have lost friends, gained copious amounts of medical debt.  All of these setbacks never prepared me for what I would and am still learning.......That is that God was trying to teach me much more than humility and to slow down and completely trust HIM with all things big things AND small things!  

I had a wonderful physical therapist and team who helped me seek holistic ways to reduce my pain.  I began with simple stretches as my mobility and range of motion were not great.  I was very out of shape, especially in my core.  I have a wonderful Naturopathic MD that I see and he helped me through a lot of this.  Even my spine doctor would praise the things he had me doing proactively to try to combat the pain, FMS and CFS.

What worked for me may not work for others, but I know for me it was a trial and error process. I did everything that I could and tried everything that I could to gain wellness, or as close to it as I can.  I did all of my physical therapy homework which mostly consisted of core-work and stretches.  I began an anti-inflammatory eating plan and incorporated Herbalife into my nutrition.  I also incorporated doTERRA certified therapeutic grade essential oils into my daily lifestyle.  I miss the things I used to love like cycling, running, swing dancing (lindy hop) and much more, but I am finding comfort and pain relief from yoga!  So I am grateful for what I can do.  I also have a beach cruiser bike that I can ride now.

I have had days where I feel great and then the next day (or even the same day) I feel awful.  So I have to really live by the spoon theory, rely on God and listen to my body.  It really is like a roller coaster.  

If you are still reading.......THANK YOU!!!  Thank you for reading my story.  I really enjoy Hawai'i and the aloha spirit and I have tried my best to not let this change that about me.  I want to give a shout out to all my friends, family and church family who have stuck by me, prayed and helped me.  And to those who gave to my GoFundMe page to help me with alternative treatments such as acupuncture instead of harsh chemical medications like Lyrica or pain medications.  I still plan on getting prolotherapy once I save more money for it.  I have gained so many new friends throughout the past two years and deepened friendships that I had.  As hard as it has been I am grateful for the lessons that I have learned and the life lessons I have learned through this season.

Stay tuned for more healthy, aloha spirit filled posts and healthy inspirations.  Mahalo nui loa for reading.  

Hiatus

Wow!  I have not blogged in ages!  I have had a lot going on.  I have been learning so much lately.  God has been humbling me in so many situations and circumstances.  One of which is my health.  This continues to seem to be an uphill battle for some reason, but I shall conquer and push through and get back to where I used to be.  The lessons I have learned along the way and the people whom I have met have been priceless!  

In a world full of so much negativity it is very easy to get bombarded by what others think, the business of life, chasing the "American Dream" and whatever other pipe dreams.  We are all individuals with dreams, goals and aspirations.  It is very important to live them out according to your purpose, not what you think others should or would want you to do. I came across a few quotes in typography recently that hit me harder than I had anticipated.

Change is so eminent, but growth really is optional.  John Maxwell hit that one on the nose!  We can let life happen to us, or we can go out and achieve our dreams.  God gives us free will and if it is within His will and we work hard and be diligent with the gifts, talents and abilities He has provided then the sky is the limit!  When we sit in a comfortable spot and just exist we do not allow change to happen.  When we face our troubles and struggles head-on we truly learn and grow from them.  I wonder what the world would be like if we all would seek more and ask more questions and as Oscar Wilde puts it live!  Could you imagine?  So I ask you this; what have you done differently lately?  Have you tried anything new?  Have you extended a favor or even a smile to a complete stranger?  

I tend to struggle so much with negativity, depression and anxiety.  However; I genuinely am a happy go lucky goofy person.  It is all about taking time to sit back and reflect on what is really important.  When you change your perspective it molds your attitude and your attitude affects your every action and perception.  I love this quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi.  

For those of you who know me, I am obsessed with all things island and I have been called an island girl at heart.  So I prefer this version too, which I saw on Pintrest and I cannot wait to make one out of pallets.

Mahalo for reading my reflections today and I hope to post more.  I have been working full time and in school and have had a lot on my plate, but through all of that a transformation is happening.  I am so blessed to have the people in my life that I do and the simple things like clean water to drink, a roof over my head, clothes on my back and friends and family who love me.

Hugs & Aloha!  

Arthritis = Booo!

Today I am a little bit sore from riding my bike yesterday.  I walked for 50 minutes today after work because I was out of daylight.  It's the small victories that we have to celebrate sometimes.  My knee was killing me from step one.  My fitbit read a mere 690 steps when I went for my walk.  I just kept going.  I had my headset on and I was talking to a friend the whole time.  I ended up walking much farther than I thought I could or would.  Then I was so close to getting 5,000 steps in that I decided to go another lap around the neighborhood.  As I write this I have almost 6,500 steps in for today.  I didn't ice when I got home which I will probably regret for the next three days or more.  I've been really swollen in both knees (and retaining quite a bit of water) and in a lot of pain on my really bad knee.  It's not fun, but it's somehow motivating me.  I want to punch arthritis in the face these past three weeks!  Sometimes it is so frustrating because I really want to attain maximum health as I have had in the past, but my knees won't allow me.  I have always been so athletic and it has been so humbling to not be able to run, jog or do many active things I love.  Things as simple as bowling...what a piece of humble pie when I found out I couldn't even do that!  God has a plan and he has taught me so much and will continue to teach me and guide me through my healing journey.  It's frustrating not being able to do things my mind is finally wanting to do, but my body won't allow me.  I'm finally climbing out of this valley of depression and on to new adventures.  Sorry for the slight negative vibe here.  I usually like to post really positive and encouraging things!  I'm positive I will beat arthritis! :)  Never give up!  Hugs & aloha <3

Ch-ch-chia

That catchy products of the 80's was more than a fun plant.  Chia seeds have emerged in recent years as a renewed interest super food.  Chia seeds are full of micronutrients.  They were used by ancient warriors in South America long ago and they have made a come back as runners and athletes fuel of choice. 

Chia gel is easy to make and fairly inexpensive.  It fills you up, adds omegas and its gelatinous structure helps with detox too!  I love putting them in my green smoothies.

I tried a raw organic cherry chia seed kombucha yesterday. It was actually good! I'm not a cherry flavored anything fan, unless they are real cherries, but this was yummy. To top it off, I had energy, got my fair share of omega 3's too! Did you know chia seeds have three times as much omegas as salmon does?

So sing the chia song and do a happy dance with all your renewed energy from your new friend the chia seed.