Southern Nights

On the beach somewhere in Florida! Chillin’ out after passing Nursing School and the Boards I suspect!

Have you ever felt a southern night? Growing up in Alabama, I had the distinct privilege of touching, feeling, smelling, and living it. Back roads run through my blood. I travel along those rural roads that lead me straight to family and friends. Bringing back a simpler time, but also a mysterious time. What did my life have for me to hold? What was my particular destiny?
The mind is a powerful thing. It is unlimited. It is pure if you let it be. That is what is so beautiful about it. In Greek studies, reason was looked upon as divine. It was the glue and the influence to today’s thought processes on God and theology. Greek thought may have had some quirks, but it did help lay some foundation for where we are today.
My first big life choices evolved a southern night. Good thinking tends to happen when life itself is looked upon in simplistic fashion. It does not mean you do not weigh all the facts you have, but rather you include your emotional state in that equation. Logic may not always win. In my case, I can see mostly decisions based on logic, but those decisions were based on good people around me giving their share of praise to me and allowing me to feel a sense of purpose in my life.
Once I was on the back-end of a decision made by my superiors when I was employed at a hospital. The hospital leadership decided that all the nurses needed to rebid for their positions. This was a scary time for everyone because many nurses thought they were going to lose their job.
For whatever reason, I was concerned, but not overwhelmed by this crazy tactic being utilized by my employer to get rid of employees. I had a lot of seniority and it is what kept my position intact. Why do I bring this up? Essentially because a good leader would never do this to his team of employees. He would bring everyone on board so that folks do not think they have been hit over the head with a two by four.
This brings me back to my southern nights. It was those nights that brought me back down to reality. The memories of that simpler time reinforced my sense of purpose. It brought me rest and peace in my mind when all hell seemed to be breaking out in front of my eyes. Those southern nights have served me well. I hope you too can find your “southern night” and let it be an important part of your thought processes. It is no fun to be out in the dark and left without inspiration.

Passionate Post Where Art Thou?

Enjoying Nature and God’s Creation

While sipping my morning java and taking my Ibuprofen, misty thoughts run through my head as collectively I weigh the day’s needs. Summer times typically bring joy and fun. This summer has been a fruit bowl of mixed emotions. In all my lessons of life who would have thought writing would bring that moment of solace. It is like time stands still as composing my words come to life. Yes. Words have a life all their own.

While studying from scripture as a young teenager at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, I am reminded of how we were taught the Words of God were God Himself coming to life for us. It is a metaphor I embrace. Lately sitting in my backyard pondering what it is this life is all about, the birds remind me of how gentle life can be as the little finches eat from my feeders. At times you will see a nasty crow try to come in and cause a raucous. He is soon gone as I shoo him away. Blue Jays come out next usually in pairs. They spend a lot of time enjoying my backyard typically as many as four pairs. It is great to see them playing. Yet they are loud when they chirp.

Birds of the air can teach us so much. The biggest lesson is how birds will learn to adapt to any given environment to survive. It is a lesson to take to heart. Developing in my mindset the ability to adapt to changes in my life come rushing into my consciousness as I sit in my backyard gazing at these amazing birds.

Central Pain Syndrome

This photo was taken not long after my first brain tumor surgery.

Having a brain tumor was the last thing on my mind (no pun intended) as I dealt with many symptoms leading up to that diagnosis. Apparently it was for the doctors too as they never entertained the thought even after carefully describing my symptoms 3 years earlier than my diagnosis. At least the initial doctor confessed he had “missed” it. I hold no animosity as a doctor that can be apologetic is better than the one who is an ass hole. You all know the type if you have had much medical treatment.
Over two years have gone by since my brain tumor was removed. In fact it is time for my annual MRI soon. I will keep you posted on the results. One of my most lasting and chronic problems I seem to present with these days is called central pain syndrome. It is one of several issues I have going on, but this one is tricky. Treatment for this is difficult. In fact the treatment can be worse than the pain. There is no cure. I hope to share more with you all as I can. I have some tough days and my focus is limited when I do not feel good. I take each moment and am thankful when I am not hurting.
I wanted to share with my readers a very important thing about the brain. Our brain is a vascular organ. If you can imagine your brain as a river with many creeks running through with purposeful directions than you have an idea how important all the blood vessels are in our head. No one knows for sure the cause and effect of certain disease processes that coexist and what may have to happen first for another disorder to occur. Much of medicine is a discovery just waiting to happen. When I had my brain tumor removed, I had a procedure called an embolectomy first than my crainiotomy the next day. It was soon after the embolectomy and being sent to the ICU that I had symptoms like a stroke patient. All the doctors like to deny that the cause of the stroke may have happened on their dime. No one knows for sure, but being a relatively young person ( ok I was in my 40’s when this happened) the most common cause of strokes is disease of the arteries in the brain. We all have heard of problems too that all of us can try to tame. One last thing readers, please work hard on those things you can change with a good doctor helping you: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and physical inactivity.

Courageous Thinking

Inspiration for my writing comes from nature more than I realized. Photo taken in Eastern Washington by the Cascade Mountains.

Presuming a need to become the best writer that I could be I brushed a broad stroke when I began my blog several months ago. ( https://alesiablogs.wordpress.com/about/ )  .   I wanted to learn how to move into a new realm of reality to share in a way I had never been able to share before. Is there a lasting benefit in what I would share with you my reader?  Am I getting bogged down by crap not worthy of your trust to read?  December is upon us and after spending an incredible month of November writing more frequently, I realized how the need to become more intimate with you my reader is of upmost importance. If we are to learn of each other, we must be raw.

Recently I had a wonderful conversation with a fellow blogger that reminded me how we can touch each other by our own personal stories. Those stories may be private in nature or an experience that you have that could help someone else.  It is in this spirit, I look forward to elevating my sharing and putting new perspective on areas in my life that may help you.  We are a civilization that is so complex yet so simple when we think in or out of the box.  WE need more rebels and button pushers to cause us all to open up and be courageous thinkers.  I look for answers from you as you may look to me for answers.  We all have friends to talk to, but not all friends are on the same level.  Can you open up completely with someone in your life? I mean pour your heart out until you are bleeding.  There is only a rare soul that will listen wholeheartedly anyway.  We all need to learn to cut through the BULL S%#@.  I am reminded of Helen Reddy singing, “I am WOMAN hear me ROAR!” Today fingers to keyboard- I push to that rare courage to be myself.

TOPICS I will be blogging on. Please let me know if one topic is of more interest to you.  This will help me to concentrate on putting out the information you are most interested in :

1. Autism and the Impact it has on our Family Unit. My 20 year old son is Autistic. The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly!

2. Neurological conditions beyond Autism which include my Brain Tumor and the Impact that it has had on our Family Unit. Also the medical blunders that happened along the way.

3. Bioethics, Philosophy, and God.

4. Genealogy and Family Research. Stories from the past in regards to history.

5. Medical Blogs with Information that I can share after a 30 plus year history as a Registered Nurse.

6. Photography and my travelling experiences.

7. Everyday Moments.