A Lot to worry about at Christmas

 Drake worries that his sister Dolores might have been a little nicer than him this year, he regrets putting that grub in her carrot soup this summer. That whole naughty or nice thing is hard to remember all year long.

The Gift?

I think I shared this interview with Etsy awhile back but wanted to bring it up again as I have been having some reflections on where life has brought me.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, a difficult disease to live with as are all chronic illnesses.  I had a bad day this week and was unable to get up and get moving.  The reflex response is frustration and I have to remind myself that this is my life and I must deal with what it hands me.  I have to remember to be patient and take care of myself.

It's these down days that I sometimes become most inspired.  I've realized because my body has made me slow down it's enabled me to explore my creative self.  I was always a mover, doer, a person that felt compelled to be doing something in order to feel productive.  I now realize it's nearly impossible to be reflective, thoughtful and creative when one is constantly moving.  RA taught me this.

 I do believe life and what happens to us  has a purpose.  So is my illness a gift?  Sometimes I think it is so.  I'm not sure I would have ever slowed down enough to realize my true creative self without it.

Of course I wish I didn't have this disease but there is no sense in lamenting.  I'm grateful for the ability to see what I've gained  from my life experiences.   Life is beautiful, difficult, crazy, fun, inspiring, painful and sometimes very hard but I truly believe that all of that is necessary for us to become and realize who we are and who we are to become.

So when life seems to much to bare, remember there will be knowledge to come from that pain.  To recognize it, learn and grow from it is our task at hand.



Camille

 Camille wonders how Santa can travel the whole word in one night. She worries when he comes to her home in Louisiana it will be too hot for the reindeer and maybe he won't make it to her house this year.