hellO 2015, hellO pOssibilities
Whatever you do, don’t stop moving forward. In art, in love, and in life. Don’t lose the hunger. Long for the next chance to feed that hunger, not to silence it.
– David duChemin, photographer
The end of one year, and the beginning of another, is one of my favorite things. Not for the parties or the drinking. Not for the late night or the crowds. But for the time to review and honor the lessons and gifts of the past year, and for the dreaming and honoring of the possibilities that are waiting for me in the new one. And the kissing. I love the kissing.
I tend to measure the success of a year by the fears I faced, the challenges I said yes to, how gentle I’ve been with myself and others, and by my capacity for love and gratitude. My goal is to not only celebrate my growth (which helps keep me going), but to see where I might want to place my focus in the coming year.
To help me continue on the path of becoming my healthiest self (mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually – which, like my therapist says, is a full-time job), 2015 will include:
- Life Book 2015 – An Honoring and Celebration of You! This is an online mixed-media art course, organized by Tamara Laporte at Willowing Arts in the UK. Among many other wonderful possibilities listed in her LifeBook Manifesto, these are the parts that caught my eye: “We look to become our own super heroes and our own best friends. We feel our feelings. We lean into discomfort and see where it takes us. We honour our inner world, we sit down with sadness, we sit in the fire and rise again, like the phoenix.” If you are looking for a way to play, explore and grow this year, check this out by clicking on the link above. You will not be disappointed!
- Meditation – This is something I have dabbled in, struggled with, loved, and hated for many years. I’ve started reading, at the suggestion of my therapist, the book Real Meditation In Minutes A Day by Joseph Arpaia. It talks about the idea that our minds, just like our bodies, need training to be fit and healthy, calm and relaxed, calm and steady. My mind SO needs this training! I’ll let you know how I’m doing with it. Uh, where was I? Oh, right…
- Continue Reading The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. This book is on the New York Times best seller list and complements my goals of greater trust, knowing and creativity in the new year.
- Continue Practicing Radical Self Care – acupunture, therapy, resting, choosing, saying, and letting my artist-self play til her hearts content.
This is me dOing whatever it takes to make my inner artist happy‼️She is sO happy‼️
Thank you 2014, for blessing me with improving health, the best husband in the world, the loveliest of friends, creative inspiration, the most magical road trip, generous and supportive vickiO Art customers, and moments of jOy that will last as long as I live.
To those of you suffering with Valley Fever, please know you are not forgotten. Each day, when I feel grateful for my improving health, I send healing and heart energy to everyone of you. There is so much physical and emotional pain that comes with this illness, and the road is often very lonely. More light needs to be shed on the acute and long-term effects of Valley Fever. Our voices need to be heard. I’m thinking of some creative ways to bring more light, attention, understanding and education to our cause, so we are all not so alone. More to come on this in 2015.
Another on-going goal of mine is -how should I say- to become “co-dependent no more”. Or at least “co-dependent a hell of a lot less”. Much of the time, it feels like I’m fighting a ghost, an aberration, or an unseen marauder, that sabotages my self-esteem and confidence at every turn. It causes me to question even the smallest decisions, and, I’m realizing, is taking up way too much of my precious energy.
I have come a long way in my recovery, and will continue to do what ever it takes to defeat this most sinister foe. It is my work to do, and I’m sure not going to stop now! Best book on this work – Facing Codependence by Pia Mellody.
Life isn’t about being harmonious with other people, it’s about being harmonious with ourselves. -Panache Desai
Be calm.
Be relaxed.
Be at peace.
lOve, vickiO
Artwork by Miss Aubrey : )
VickiO Art 
I cannOt express hOw much I miss yOu!
Beautiful!
You are a very tough cookie and as sweet as a chocolate chip😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Your words give me a whole new way of feeling, accepting, appreciating,loving and understanding the why’s and why not’s in my life. I too am so enlightened by the whole valley fever ordeal i endured. It sounds crazy to say I’m glad I had the chance to actually value the things I took for granted. May you have the best 2015 ever with much joy, happiness good health and many new wonderful memories made.
Such beautiful thoughts. Your blogs fill me with hope and joy. My recent 3 month bout of extreme fatigue, that one doctor thinks was a recurrence of valley fever, the other thinks I may now have chronic fatigue. Whatever the label, I have learned to appreciate every good moment, to listen wholly to my body and act (or not) accordingly. Every moment is precious. I am too blessed to be stressed! Sure, it is frustrating and sometimes exhausting, but there is still life here! May you continue to progress and I so much appreciate your words of encouragement.
Hello Lahna! Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. Extreme fatigue was here again in January for me, too. It definitely keeps teaching me to cherish every moment, and I’ve gotten very creative in finding ways to be happy. That is truly my wish for all people, especially those dealing with any type (or any name) of fatigue. I’m in such good company of brave, amazing and kind souls. Thank you for being one of them❤️
Thank you for your response Vicki. Yes, what a struggle. I now have insomnia with it. Sleep is so important to energy levels. But, it is what it is. We do the best we can with what we have. I am now considering going to Mayo up in your area. Is there a specific doctor you liked?
Sorry – just saw this message. Did you ever try the Mayo? I didn’t have much luck, but hopefully you did. Are you on Facebook? You can join the Valley Fever Survivor page and get some info there. Be well❤️
I am so glad your energy level is improving. It comes and goe, doesnt it? My insomnia has resolved now, and my energy level is better, but the pain has returned (back and hips) unsure if due to my fibromyalgia or the osteoporosis. Whatever, now that I have enough energy to do something, I have to limit my walking or bicycling as the pain increases when I do. But I remain hopeful that physical therapy will help. Never give up! Tomorrow is a new day!
Have you read A PRECIOUS HUMAN LIFE by the Dalai Lama? I try to read it every day. It starts with, ” Every day, think when you wake up, today I am fortunate to have woken up. I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it…” There are a few more lines but these help me focus on my day.
I am not on Facebook, so unfortunately cannot access the Valley Fever Survivors. I read the book, very good. I did get well enough to escape having to go to Mayo. This last timethe worst of it lasted 3 months. I also just had a dear friend die of VF. She was in Wisconsin when she became ill so by the time they figured out what it was, she died. Such a horrible disease.
Thank you for such a positive website. I truly understand your struggle and admire your perserverance. Keep up the good work.
Lahna
I might add I still think activity is so important, even when we dont have a lot of energy, we can adjust our level and duration. Being a former athlete this has been a very difficult but important lesson for me. But I never give up!
I am so sorry to hear your fatigue was once again severe in January. I also hope you get information about chronic fatigue, which I am not sure if I have, but I am a retired RN and in the medical news yesterday was new information about a suggested new name for the disease and way to classify it. Hopefully that will be of help to many also.
Be strong, be as well as possible. Lahna
Hello Lahna. Just checking in❤️ My stamina is improving a bit, and reading your message is such a good reminder to me to not over do. The athlete in me just wants to stretch her legs and run like the wind : ) Not that I was ever a runner, but that is the feeling I miss. Reminding myself to be patient.
How are you these days? Wishing you peace and energy and smiles. Hugs, Vicki