Comments on: My Reaction To This Fear and Frustration http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/ Easy There, It's Just An Idea Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:11:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: JR http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-459 JR Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:09:41 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-459 I wrote this in advance and seriously considered not posting it. My coworkers read my blog, my friends read my blog, family members read it and people I could potentially work for someday read it. It's scary, but this really is who I am and what I'm about. I've gotta put the bad with the good out there otherwise it's not a whole picture. I've also gotta put my best efforts in making change within myself happen, otherwise this is just a lot of rhetoric. Thank you for your encouragement Dena. You seem like you're kicking much ass yourself, so I'm definitely drawing strength from that! Bring on more Fight Club references too! :-) I wrote this in advance and seriously considered not posting it. My coworkers read my blog, my friends read my blog, family members read it and people I could potentially work for someday read it. It’s scary, but this really is who I am and what I’m about. I’ve gotta put the bad with the good out there otherwise it’s not a whole picture.

I’ve also gotta put my best efforts in making change within myself happen, otherwise this is just a lot of rhetoric.

Thank you for your encouragement Dena. You seem like you’re kicking much ass yourself, so I’m definitely drawing strength from that!

Bring on more Fight Club references too! :-)

]]> By: JR http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-458 JR Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:55:16 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-458 Grace, thank you! Honestly, I play with the idea of choice and free will so much over and over again. The habit I really need to kick is that in order to make a strong choice in one direction that I need to give up what I value within myself or in others to have it all the time. Maybe it's integrity that I need to work on? Either way, I'm definitely going to keep being there for my uncle and make the choices with my life that are going to make him proud... and not let the other parts that I value slide. Thanks again :-) Grace, thank you! Honestly, I play with the idea of choice and free will so much over and over again. The habit I really need to kick is that in order to make a strong choice in one direction that I need to give up what I value within myself or in others to have it all the time. Maybe it’s integrity that I need to work on? Either way, I’m definitely going to keep being there for my uncle and make the choices with my life that are going to make him proud… and not let the other parts that I value slide.

Thanks again :-)

]]> By: JR http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-457 JR Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:52:57 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-457 Jenn, your stories of ass kicking make me smile. I'm so glad you were able to get your gluten situation under control. I didn't know about the American Cancer Association. I'll see if my uncle needs any assistance and will definitely refer to you if I have any questions. As for on and offline support, I'll be needing it for sure. Finding it within can be tough, so having a place to seek it outwardly is pretty awesome. Jenn, your stories of ass kicking make me smile. I’m so glad you were able to get your gluten situation under control.

I didn’t know about the American Cancer Association. I’ll see if my uncle needs any assistance and will definitely refer to you if I have any questions.

As for on and offline support, I’ll be needing it for sure. Finding it within can be tough, so having a place to seek it outwardly is pretty awesome.

]]> By: JR http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-456 JR Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:50:10 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-456 Thanks Brianne! I'll definitely hit you up for some perspective in the near future. Thanks Brianne! I’ll definitely hit you up for some perspective in the near future.

]]> By: JR http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-455 JR Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:49:43 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-455 Falling off track is a slippery slope, especially when you're falling towards things that make everything progressively worse or seem not-so-bad. Falling into complacency and contentment with the given situation isn't where I want to be. It's weird, because I can see myself doing this and it's almost like a control thing where I let myself slide a little because I want to see if I can pull myself right back out. As far as feeling like I need to take extreme measures to have the life I want and neglect the simple things that make me up as a human... it doesn't work in my head and my willingness to go that route is sort of worn down to a nub. Work to live, eat to live... just live to live. Nothing else! Falling off track is a slippery slope, especially when you’re falling towards things that make everything progressively worse or seem not-so-bad. Falling into complacency and contentment with the given situation isn’t where I want to be. It’s weird, because I can see myself doing this and it’s almost like a control thing where I let myself slide a little because I want to see if I can pull myself right back out.

As far as feeling like I need to take extreme measures to have the life I want and neglect the simple things that make me up as a human… it doesn’t work in my head and my willingness to go that route is sort of worn down to a nub. Work to live, eat to live… just live to live. Nothing else!

]]> By: JR http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-454 JR Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:40:10 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-454 Thanks Sam. I'm realizing that beating myself up doesn't really work. It pushes me too far towards that other extreme that doesn't help me or anyone else where I just feel bad for myself and give up hope for something better. I know there are lots of people out there who want the best for me and are there for me. It's my job to do the leg work though. That's really what I'm realizing... do the leg work while I have the legs to do it. Thanks Sam. I’m realizing that beating myself up doesn’t really work. It pushes me too far towards that other extreme that doesn’t help me or anyone else where I just feel bad for myself and give up hope for something better. I know there are lots of people out there who want the best for me and are there for me. It’s my job to do the leg work though. That’s really what I’m realizing… do the leg work while I have the legs to do it.

]]> By: Dena http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-453 Dena Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:44:03 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-453 JR, Thank you for sharing your story. Whether you know it or not, just the act of publishing this post is going to improve your situation tenfold. "When you really desires something, all the Universe conspires to help you realize that dream. –Paulo Coelho Isn't that amazing? And it is true, I am living proof! You have taken the first step and with time, it will happen. It will take a bit of hard work & a constant determination, but you will live the life of your dreams. I am incredibly proud of you & excited to encourage you along this journey. Thank for being an inspiration. -Dena JR,

Thank you for sharing your story. Whether you know it or not, just the act of publishing this post is going to improve your situation tenfold.

“When you really desires something, all the Universe conspires to help you realize that dream. –Paulo Coelho

Isn’t that amazing? And it is true, I am living proof! You have taken the first step and with time, it will happen. It will take a bit of hard work & a constant determination, but you will live the life of your dreams.

I am incredibly proud of you & excited to encourage you along this journey. Thank for being an inspiration.

-Dena

]]> By: Grace Boyle http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-452 Grace Boyle Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:32:07 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-452 This is a beautifully written and honest post. My thoughts and well-wishes to your Uncle. It is never easy to experience pain and illness to the ones we are closest to. I still commend you for being honest and writing this post. Sometimes making it public or pressing the 'publish' button can get those real, raw emotions flowing. I think that being scared, is being alive. It shows you're feeling. It shows that you're listening. There are some things that we have control over (choosing to not smoke or drink) and some things we don't have control over (the pain in the world, illness) but overall, you always have control over yourself. How you react, move forward, and continue to be a constant source of support for your Uncle (which undoubtedly, you will). Sometimes, writing or verbalizing is the first step in change. I'm always here to listen too :) This is a beautifully written and honest post.

My thoughts and well-wishes to your Uncle. It is never easy to experience pain and illness to the ones we are closest to.

I still commend you for being honest and writing this post. Sometimes making it public or pressing the ‘publish’ button can get those real, raw emotions flowing. I think that being scared, is being alive. It shows you’re feeling. It shows that you’re listening. There are some things that we have control over (choosing to not smoke or drink) and some things we don’t have control over (the pain in the world, illness) but overall, you always have control over yourself. How you react, move forward, and continue to be a constant source of support for your Uncle (which undoubtedly, you will). Sometimes, writing or verbalizing is the first step in change.

I’m always here to listen too :)

]]> By: Jenn Sutherlans http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-451 Jenn Sutherlans Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:06:15 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-451 Bravo, JR, for posting something so personal and scary. I hope that your uncle's new gig and that screening he received are the first step to saving his life. Because it was caught before symptoms, I'm hoping that there is a good treatment plan ahead. You know I work for the American Cancer Society to kick cancer's ass every day, and your uncle is my reason to keep fighting today. (And of course if your family needs support, rides to treatment, information, etc - call ACS 800.227.2345 - we can help - no seriously, we can). On changing habits, you're right - consistency is key. Commitment unlocks the door. I hope that you feel empowered to really commit to the health changes you seek right now. Looking at it another way, you could be facing your own cancer diagnosis down the line without changes, and you have the power of prevention within you. Sometimes a little dash of fear keeps you moving forward toward your goal. I know how painful it is to make the change. Giving up gluten was the hardest change I had to make. I fought it, and cheated for a couple years before committing, after my body sustained some pretty serious damage. And if I hadn't given it up - I'd likely be facing my own cancer diagnosis, too...not sticking to my diet increases the chance that I'll get colon cancer by 20 times. That's inspiration enough for me. And if you need support, we've got your back. You've got all kinds of support online and off...ask if you need a kick in the ass, or support. We'll be here. Bravo, JR, for posting something so personal and scary. I hope that your uncle’s new gig and that screening he received are the first step to saving his life. Because it was caught before symptoms, I’m hoping that there is a good treatment plan ahead. You know I work for the American Cancer Society to kick cancer’s ass every day, and your uncle is my reason to keep fighting today. (And of course if your family needs support, rides to treatment, information, etc – call ACS 800.227.2345 – we can help – no seriously, we can).

On changing habits, you’re right – consistency is key. Commitment unlocks the door. I hope that you feel empowered to really commit to the health changes you seek right now. Looking at it another way, you could be facing your own cancer diagnosis down the line without changes, and you have the power of prevention within you. Sometimes a little dash of fear keeps you moving forward toward your goal.

I know how painful it is to make the change. Giving up gluten was the hardest change I had to make. I fought it, and cheated for a couple years before committing, after my body sustained some pretty serious damage. And if I hadn’t given it up – I’d likely be facing my own cancer diagnosis, too…not sticking to my diet increases the chance that I’ll get colon cancer by 20 times. That’s inspiration enough for me.

And if you need support, we’ve got your back. You’ve got all kinds of support online and off…ask if you need a kick in the ass, or support. We’ll be here.

]]> By: Brianne http://notsoliteral.com/family/my-reaction-to-this-fear-and-frustration/comment-page-1/#comment-450 Brianne Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:42:11 +0000 http://notsoliteral.com/?p=459#comment-450 Thank you for posting this. It shows confidence and bravery even when you may think you are faltering. I hope your uncle kicks the tumor's ass. I've dealt with similar addictions to devaluing myself and would gladly be a sounding board. I'm just a tweet away. Thank you for posting this. It shows confidence and bravery even when you may think you are faltering.

I hope your uncle kicks the tumor’s ass.

I’ve dealt with similar addictions to devaluing myself and would gladly be a sounding board. I’m just a tweet away.

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