mar's Desk

Marcoujor: My Health Coach

10/7/2015

marcoujor

In May of last year, the death of my beautiful Aunt Baby hit me hard.

For ten years, my dog-daughter had been my constant companion, therapist and partner in crime.

Now both were gone from my life. I felt her loss on every level.

Physically I developed a sciatica condition, making it difficult to move or rest comfortably.

Emotionally, I was sad, listless and found it challenging to concentrate. I felt a spiritual emptiness as Aunt Baby was a connection to my mom.

Aunt Baby

Knowing that neither Mom nor Aunt Baby would approve of my malaise, I reminded myself that healthy eating, attention to exercise and good sleep makes all the difference in one's mindset and well-being.

Last summer, I was prescribed an anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and a muscle relaxer twice daily. I also had a cortisone injection for the sciatica.

My next step was to wean myself off these medications with my doctor's support. I'm currently taking one multi-vitamin a day, which is just fine by me.

I am appreciating the value of food as the best medicine of all, learning a great deal from the flashPress Farmacopeia series written on the blog there called femme's Desk.

Last August, I even hired a live-in health coach. As a result, my love of life and my energy has returned full throttle.

My coach is not much of a talker. He realizes that 'actions speak louder than words'.

My coach is a natural teacher. He reminds me of things I've always known, yet tend to forget when stressed or sad.

My coach is supportive and loving. In fact, he was more than okay with sharing his life strategies with you.

The present is a present.
Patience is preferable.
Quiet time is a daily must.
Listening is golden.
Do what you are doing.
Change happens - roll with it.
Every day is a new excuse to be happy.
Laugh - or at the very least - smile.
You don't always have to catch the ball - just play.
Your thoughts are your most powerful armor.

I realize now that Aunt Baby had a role in the hiring of my coach. She had taken her job as Mommy's therapist very seriously - wanting me to focus on happy times together, while living every day of my life to its fullest.

When my coach applied for the job, he was a 'paw-in'.

He jumped into my arms when we met, as his role model had done ten years previously.

As with Aunt Baby, that sealed the deal.

Can you blame me?

Oh, and I still paws for music every day.

This is one of Andy's favorites...mine too actually:

Jane Siberry, Everything Reminds Me of My Dog

Andy Jordan, live-in therapist

Other recent posts that may interest you are...

Easy Gingerbread Loaf via WarnerWords

Victoria Warner: Are Internet Friends "Real" Friends? via flashPress

Until next week, wishing you peace,

mar

28 Comments

Sunshine

10/7/2015 08:12:50 am

I absolutely love this post and I can so relate to it. My favorite line ... "Knowing that neither Mom nor Aunt Baby would approve of my malaise" packs quite a punch! Knowing that they wouldn't approve is what gives you the strength to carry on. Hugs to you and your health coach! :))

Maria link

10/7/2015 06:39:05 pm

Dear Sunshine,
Your favorite line reminds me of you very much.
I believe our loved ones want the best for us through their lives and even in their death.
Love you, MM

Peg link

10/7/2015 08:40:13 am

Maria, my heart goes out to you on losing your Aunt Baby. I can certainly relate to your malaise, lack of inspiration and sadness. Our love pups provide a sense of well being and comfort. They're sensitive to our moods and provide companionship in our daily lives.
You're right to know that Mom would want you to go forward with the memories of her (both of them) and remember with fondness all the good times. Thank Heaven for little Andy who has managed to remind you to "play ball". I do truly understand and miss my little girl everyday, sometimes worse than others. Tony helps keep me on track with his perseverance and acceptance of the loss we share. Yes, everything reminds me of my dog. ♥ Love you.

Maria link

10/7/2015 06:46:28 pm

Dear Peg,

I know you can perfectly relate ~ as the adorable photos you are putting on FB of Tony look very 'coach like' to me ...

Thank heavens for these fur angels in our lives. Love, Maria

Kimmiewhat

10/7/2015 11:31:37 am

Oh what a beautiful post. Losing those we love creates such a deep hole in our hearts but I am so glad you filled it with wonderful things such as your health coach and your Andy. Seasons change and so do we...always searching for peace and joy. When we find it what a glorious day it is. Love you Maria and thank you for sharing
Big hugs
Kimmie

Maria link

10/7/2015 06:50:44 pm

Dear Kimmie,

Thanks for your sensitive and kind remarks.

Big hugs to you too, Maria

Mike

10/7/2015 11:42:09 am

Well, you saved Mr. Andy and he is going to repair you ten fold. I have a different favorite line. "You don't always have to catch the ball." That Andy has a deep philosophical attitude toward life. That could be a life motto.

Happy that your live in life coach found you.

Maria link

10/7/2015 07:56:58 pm

Oh Mike,
I'm so happy my coach and I found each other as well.
Andy is indeed a wise dude ~ and 'you remind me of my dog'... :)

paula link

10/7/2015 11:45:34 am

Maria.....THIS warmed my heart, tickled my soul and made me smile with tears! The first love-filled post I've read today. PERFECT!! I love you, Paula/Effer

Maria link

10/7/2015 07:59:36 pm

Love you too, dear Paula...so happy this post about Andy tugged at your heart with smiles.

Linda Rogers link

10/7/2015 11:58:16 am

Thanks for sharing your journey of loss with us. So glad you have worked through all the pain and returned to the hopeful, happy woman you are meant to be. I have always struggled with change/loss, but have gotten better at focusing on the positive's & blessings-even amidst the storms. Life is not always an easy walk but accepting that fact and making the blessings our focus, can make it easier and happier. Hugs my friend.

Maria link

10/7/2015 08:02:51 pm

So great to see you, dear Linda.

Thanks for your wise and supportive
comments.

Hope you're having a peaceful week.

Hugs to you too, Maria

Angie

10/7/2015 12:18:33 pm

Hi, Maria - I love that you are a teacher of the things you've learned. Number one I've learned about you is your gift of observing. From that, you take life lessons, and the teacher in you is very adept at passing them on to your readers. I love the things you write about...

~Angie

Maria link

10/7/2015 08:11:32 pm

Dear Angie,

What a special comment ~ I treasure it and you as well.

Thanks for your jingle in my tip jar also.

Hugs, Maria

karen

10/7/2015 03:18:27 pm

I absolutely love this post too, Maria! My favorite lines:

The present is a present (also the present is the present)

Your thoughts are your most powerful armor

Thanks for sharing!

Maria link

10/7/2015 08:14:38 pm

Dear Karen,

I love when you stop by.... always a joy when I think of you.

Love ya, Maria

Martie link

10/7/2015 04:22:37 pm

Dear Mar

Andy is the best coach ever. He lifted you up in no time, I was amazed. Does he have a brother or sister? You know, I think I can do with a coach like him.

I'm so glad your medicine did their job. I don't know what's the matter with me or my meds. Everything I have tried until now was a waste of money. But oh, I should not complain. I'm still very mobile and even able to climb mountains :)

I'm so glad Andy makes your longing for your mother and for Aunt Baby more bearable.

Hugs,

Martie

Maria link

10/7/2015 08:22:32 pm

Dear Martie,
I wish you had an 'Andy' ~ but until you do, I'll continue to share adorable photos of him with you.
Moreso, I wish you relief from your pain~ so proud of your endurance and sense of adventure.
Love you very much, mar

Barbara Jones

10/7/2015 06:34:20 pm

I cried over this of course. Still struggling to get beyond this. Have had several offers of a dog. Not quite ready. Thanks.

Maria link

10/7/2015 08:25:57 pm

Dear Barbara,
My heart reaches out to you.
I do believe you will know when the time is right.
Take gentle care of yourself, Maria

Theresa

10/8/2015 05:25:47 am

Dear Maria, Woo ... you certainly have yourself one adorably handsome live-in life coach there! Thank you for sharing his keen insight into how to live each day to the full with much joy and peace. Our fur angel babies are a precious gift in this life. Tell Andy he is doing such a good job. Love you, Theresa

Maria link

10/8/2015 02:56:41 pm

Dear Theresa,
I knew you would relate to and appreciate this post~ as you are such a dog lover with your own dear Max.
Andy is grinning with all the great comments from his Aunts and Uncles.
Hope all is well with you. Love, Maria

Mary link

10/8/2015 09:58:07 am

We must always paws to appreciate what has entered our life, like Andy! He is vibrant and has as much love as Aunt Baby had. He can never replace her, but he can provide so much love.
Glad to hear you're on the mend. These back problems are such a pain (pardon the pun),
Blessings dear friend.

Maria link

10/8/2015 03:00:30 pm

I love the humor and wisdom in your remarks, dear Mary.
I know you can relate to pain~ hoping you continue to feel better as well.
Hope you're having a great week.
Hugs, Maria

femmeflashpoint link

10/8/2015 01:57:52 pm

Prof. Mahreer,

You've surely got the most handsome live-in coach there ever was and I imagine all the bouncing and tail wagging that comes on each time you come home could surely cure most any sort of malaise.

I'm thinking if K9s passed out gold stars of approval, Aunt Baby would be issuing Andy Jordan a whole string of them. Y'all have a beautiful and mutually beneficial relationship in every direction.

Beautiful post!

femme

Maria link

10/8/2015 03:04:04 pm

As proud momma, I must agree with you about my handsome dawg.
I do sincerely believe Aunt Baby's tail is wagging in approval from above about her little brother.
Thanks for your awesome tip as well, dear femme. Love and hugs, mar

Shauna

10/10/2015 06:33:36 pm

"You don't always have to catch the ball - just play." That's the best advice I've ever heard!

Our pets are the best therapists in the world. They're always there for us, no matter what.

Sir Andy had some big shoes - er, paws - to fill, but he's doing a fine job. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Aunt Baby sent him. Our loved ones look out for us even when they're gone.

Maria link

10/13/2015 06:02:54 am

Dear Sha,
I totally agree that our pets are natural therapists.
I also believe Aunt Baby had a paw in selecting her brother, Andy Jordan.
Hope you are having a peaceful week.
Love, mar

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Marcoujor: My Health Coach

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