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Today I am grateful that I'm still working. It ain't easy but it beats the shit out of staying at home. At home you are fully able to sit and stew about what it was that you couldn't get done. At work, you're distracted more and the ups and downs aren't as noticeable because you HAVE to get done what's in front of you. You can always put things off at home. Working makes me hurt and also makes me get way less done at home. I'm ok with that right now because I was laid off for about a month and really got kind of ate up.

So I am grateful for my occupation and hope that I can continue to work going forward. This post reminds me of a passage of my favorite poem: the Desiderata. The passage goes like this:

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

It seems a little funny without the rest of the poem, but it seems very appropos to how I'm feeling and also to the freakin' economy![/i]

I am grateful that I'm still working. It ain't easy but it beats the shit out of staying at home. At home you are fully able to sit and stew about what it was that you couldn't get done.

for a guy not being able to work is as bad as not being able to get it up.just what i think anyway.

Rob,

I think you and I have probably talked about the work thing more than anybody. I know exactly what you mean.

Thanks Bubba for starting this again. This newbie is going to jump in. I've been writing down 5 things from the day that I'm grateful for right after I document my symptoms/function each day. Figured I needed a counter-balance. Some days I'm really scraping to get five.

I too am really glad for my job (and health insurance that comes along with it!). I work from home sometimes and feel and function much better on those days. However, going to work gets me out of myself (I live alone) and requires me to ignore the wild stuff going on in my body. I am, however, totally empty and collapse for the evening after work days. But am grateful to have it and my boss who gives me loads of flexibility. Thanks for sharing the part of the Desiderata Lew.

Donna

I posted the whole thing a long while back, so it seems like we should all read it again! I love this poem:

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Hey Lew,

Humbling just to read it. Funny how things change, priorities and the like. Pre illness pre-occupation with making money to give the family that which you never had, worrying about what the future would bring for all you love. Suddenly, MS and all the vile it brings to life. It is at that time you realize you were focused on the destination without ever really enjoying and appreciating the journey. That's the one great thing and solice this illness has brought to me......loving and enjoying each day I get up breathing able to see and love my children.........Peace



http://msdivorceddad.blogspot.com/

MS and all the vile it brings to life. It is at that time you realize you were focused on the destination without ever really enjoying and appreciating the journey. That's the one great thing and solice this illness has brought to me......

amen

thanks for that, Lew...never read the Desiderata before.
just beautiful.
J

robbie wrote:

MS and all the vile it brings to life. It is at that time you realize you were focused on the destination without ever really enjoying and appreciating the journey. That's the one great thing and solice this illness has brought to me......

amen

I know. Me too my friend

... And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

It's been a while since I read the whole Desiderata. Thanks for posting it Lew. The part above is a bit of a tough chew today. Although it scares me to do so, I stayed home from work today -- not functioning too well. In a detached, abstract metaphysical way I believe that statement. I really do. But meanwhile back at the concrete here-and-now ranch, I fear about how I'll take care of myself on this planet and choke a bit on that sentiment.

Hmm, I guess today I'm grateful for an internet connection to be connected to the outside world.

I am grateful today for the day I had. We all have good and bad days. Today was GREAT. I even went out this evening. I don't do that anymore; wild. For a long while I could not enjoy a good day because I knew the next would probably be shit and would let that ruin the day I was having. Having this has most definitely made me learn how to live one day at a time. Today was a simply fantastic day where I even offered to do things like go back to the car to get my daughter's jacket. No way in a long time. Just had a great day and I'm grateful for great days today. They have become increasingly few and far between. Matter of fact, I can't remember the last one. I'll remember this one for a long while. I took my 13 year old out on a "date" to a bar of all places, to see her bass instructor jam out. It was a blast. Me and my wife used to go see live music at least a couple times a month. I had no idea how much I missed it. Just a great day.

I am grateful for TIMS and all the wonderful hardworking intelligent people on this site. Wow, WOW, WOW, WOW!!!

Cat

Cat, I am grateful for your new avatar. It makes me smile everytime I see it.

I love your avatar too Cat but it makes me feel a bit uneasy.....what will happen next....will he lose his temper?

I am feeling the "not working" thing a lot at the moment. I used to be where you are now BibliotecKaren - I worked fulltime but collapsed for the evening once I'd eaten my dinner. No life to speak of. Now I'm signing for illness benefit and looking after my son. When he sleeps, I sleep. My life is much better now - I can hardly believe I pushed myself so far in the past. I am actually absorbing things, conversations, stuff....before I was like an exhausted, disorientated, driven hamster on a wheel of life.

But Robbie it's not just blokes that really feel it when they have to give up their jobs....it's hard to adjust to a new image, a new sense of self. It's like ripping up the knitting that made you, YOU....and starting all again.

I have no regrets about giving up work, every day that dawns I am so glad not to have to push myself as far as I used to do......but that doesn't mean I miss the people, the career, the money. Je ne regrette rien though.

I too like the new avatar Cat -- I have a cranky furry boy so the feline contempt radiating from it is quite familiar.

WW, I'm glad you're getting the breather and space. It's such a mixed thing -- not working anymore, eh? I often wonder how long I can pull it off but the consequence will be huge when I get to that point. It's just me and I'll likely need to sell my little condo and move in with family for financial reasons. I wrote a little yesterday about my life shrinking to the size of a postage stamp: http://arrangingshoes.blogspot.com/2009 ... stamp.html

So, for right now, I'm grateful for the view from my comfy recliner -- evening light glowing on the maple outside the window of my place.

Donna