Need sleeeeeep

I need some sleep.  Actually I need a vacation.  I love what I do for a living, but this fall has been particularly demanding.  Committees, teaching, committees, problem-solving, committees, answering questions.  There are not enough hours in the day.  Three weeks ago I realized why I'm not more productive in the summer.  It's because I'm just so tired and still recovering from the spring semester and thinking ahead to fall. 

One of my friends has been writing about developing his life philosophy.  He's exploring a number of ideas, and a recent posting posited that if you put good thoughts and expectations out there in the universe, you usually get what you expect.  I talked with him about it yesterday, and he said that it really worked for him in various situations and scenarios.

Tuesday I saw a young woman friend I hadn't seen in several months.  She has an incredible outlook on life.  She's struggled with juvenile diabetes all of her life, and has had a number of complications from diabetes.  Those problems seem to have cleared up for now.  However, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer.  Not one, but two different kinds.  She's had a mastectomy and just started chemo.  And yet as we talked, she's smiling, she's joking, and she's upbeat about her prospects.  I was humbled.  Here I am, tired, stressed out, and here she is, showing me her port-a-cath, joking about moving "butt fat" as reconstruction surgery to make her breasts grow (because she's always gained weight in her butt before her breasts, so her theory is is you move the butt fat to the reconstruction area, that'll grow, right?)  and how she'll conquer this latest health challenge too.  She has beautiful hair, and I imagine it'll all fall out in the next month as chemo progresses.  I hugged her and promised to knit some chemo caps.  We parted, and I felt uplifted, humbled, and yet I just wanted to cry -- someone so young, so lovely and intelligent struggling with breast cancer at such a young age.  She is also putting positive thoughts out there about her chemo, upcoming radiation, reconstruction surgery and recovery.

I think I'm going to put thoughts and expectations of efficiency and rest out there for the universe.  And my usual good, positive outlook, wishing well for others.

Comments

[killer]

You are an inspiration to many! Myself included. In fact, I was just talking to a former UMKC student last night who was waxing nostalgic about spending time in the Music Library at UMKC. He loved every minute! So, just pause for a moment to think of all the people your presence impacts positively... even though it may not feel that way sometimes. Here's a hug for you!

[karlii]

Putting forth Positive Thoughts or even just Affirmations is a process that really does work! Good idea! :-)

I noticed though, that you have seemed tired a lot in your posts lately. This has been how I have felt frequently.

Obviously, you'd want to check with your doctor... but for me, I started taking Iron pills. No specific dosage... just the least expensive bottle, and one or two tablets at night before I go to bed. I usually add Vitamin C along with, as Vitamin C helps with the absorption of Iron.

Even if you are only slightly anemic (if you are), it can really affect your whole life. You feel tired... then you feel less positive, etc. Sure, thinking positive is on the right track... but I'd suggest looking toward your vitamin balances also.

A lot of folks swear by B12.. and that helps with a boost.. but I find that Iron every day helps most, and fastest.

I found your blog from some knitting link or other... and I have enjoyed keeping up with you for some time! ...I see that you have made an Irish Hiking Scarf! I made one of those last year, and it was a great project!

Keep us updated on how things are going in KC! And on how the affirmations are working out! We'd love to hear about it! :-)