Feel Good Friday

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Help Wanted sign in window

Happy Friday!

Today’s quote is straight out of the Quotationary book my Mum gave me a few years ago 🙂

“We are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is.” ~Mark Vonnegut

Seriously…just help one another. In anything and everything. Expect no compensation or glory. If there’s a need you can fill, fill it. No matter how small.

It may even be as simple as passing on a smile or listening. Or as secretive as an anonymous gift during a time of need. Or even driving a friend to a doctor’s appointment.

Just be there. And if you need help, reach out.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Love, Lisa

Feel Good Fridays!

| Bloomin' Uterus
A card of stones that reads "Resilience"

Good morning. Well, I hope you’re having a good morning. Today’s Feel Good Friday will require some explanation.

Resilience can be found
in mind
in body
in spirit;

Getting back up
pushing forward
trying again
and again;

Sometimes
every part of our being is required
on other occasions
one deep breath
is all you need
to bounce back;

A rebuilt the shelter
is stronger than the first
for it has the advantage
of experience.

~Jayme Allen; Mood Body Studio; creator of The Moody Deck

This past Tuesday I had an incredibly painful Endo day on Day Two of my period. I had to stay home from work, pop pain pills, take several hot showers, and nurse my heating pad all day. It was the first of such a day since October of 2018. The pain was intense. And it had me spiraling hard with my thoughts. Luckily, though, it was only one day and now just feels like Tuesday was a bad nightmare; no traces of its physical presence. Although the mental fears still linger.

And just yesterday I received The Moody Deck in the mail. Consider it a deck of uplifting, encouraging, and self-awareness cards. I drew a card yesterday for a meditation exercise: Resilience. Its explanation is above.

And this morning? I drew another card for the Theme of the Day. Having shuffled the deck about five times before I pulled out a card: Resilience.

Well hello, Universe. You’re right: I can get through this.

Whatever you may be going through, we can all get through this. We are strong enough. And when we don’t feel strong enough, reach out for help. You have many around you who will gladly support and hold you up. And if you feel that you don’t even have that…remember: you have me. Contact me anytime if you need it.

Visit Mood Body Studio for more information about The Moody Deck, including how you can purchase your very own deck for $40.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Folding chair atop a quiet lake in the mountains
“Enjoy the Silence” by Thomas Leuthard

Good morning, guys! And happy Friday!

I know we all have our bad moments, days, weeks, months, or even years. Life can be ruthless, unfair, and tough. Whatever you may be going through, I want you to take a moment and really let today’s quote soak in:

“Do something nice for yourself today. Find some quiet, sit in stillness, breathe. Put your problems on pause. You deserve a break.” 
― Akiroq Brost

Did you read it? Take a deep breath, clear your thoughts, and read it again.

Really let it sink in.

Then give it a moment and identify something you’ll do for yourself today. It could be anything. Tell me about it in the comments. Then come back later and reply to your comment: were you able to do it?

We all deserve a moment to ourselves.

Even if it’s just to get away for five minutes and take a walk around the block.

May you have a weekend filled with a few relaxing moments. Enjoy.

Love, Lisa

Blogs I updated this week:

Dungeon & Dragons & Donuts: How RPG Games May Help with (Fill In The Blank): added Chapter 26 from our April 2019 session. Our adventurers have landed in the Anauroch desert in search of the City of Shade and Zeke, the man with the jars of souls. While in town, they meet a mysterious woman also searching for Zeke. Deals are struck and the adventure continues! Let’s deal with a little bit of heat and sand in places where it doesn’t belong!

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
August 2019 calendar with the 16th circled

And now August is officially half-way over. Already! Where is 2019 going?!? Well, happy Friday!

Years and years and years ago, I purchased a little book from Barnes & Noble. I no longer have a copy of it, but may need to purchase it again. It changed my life. Well, it changed my perspective on my life.

And I forgot alllllll about it, until I went scouring the internet for today’s quote:

“True happiness comes not when we get rid of all of our problems,but when we change our relationship to them, when we see our problems as a potential source of awakening, opportunities to practice, and to learn.”
― Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and it’s all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life

I think I’m gonna go hit a used bookstore online and pick up a copy right now. What other nuggets of perspective-changing wisdom have I forgotten? Have you read the book and do you have a favorite blurb? Share it in the comments below.

And, most importantly, have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Lisa

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Sandwich with pickle spear on a table with a potted succulent

Another week has blown by and I find myself mentally wiped from an emotional week.

Unable to find an inspiring quote on my own, I enlisted the help of a friend I’ve yet to meet: Holly. We “met” over Yelp reviews of our favorite sandwich company here in San Diego. My favorite is the Charlie’s Special and hers is the simple, tried and true Ham & Cheese sandwich. We message a few times a month and she’s wonderful and always makes me smile.

So, I asked if she had a favorite and she has given me this one to share with you you today:

“If you find yourself constantly trying to prove your worth to someone, you have already forgotten your value.” ~Unknown

Thank you, Holly.

This jettisoned me right back to a time in my life where I was wrapped up in an abusive relationship with a man who constantly accused me of cheating on him, always called me “whore” when he was angry, and went so far as choking me when we woke up one morning (on my birthday) because he dreamt I had an affair. And he only liked brand-name clothing, which I hated. But, to please him, I purchased myself (and him) brand name clothes. And went so far as to wear bras on the weekends because he hated my boobs bouncing for the world to see. I completely changed who I was, but convinced myself life was happier because I was with him. I wasn’t. And after about six months of dating, I left him simply because he called me whore one more time. And I slowly regained my confidence, self-worth, and sense of “me” again.

Whenever my cousin, Aaron, gives me a hug he whispers into my ear, “You be good to you.” Typing it doesn’t give it justice: his tone, inflection, and cadence give it so much more life and depth. But may we never forget it.

So, never change who you are for someone. Never feel like you must constantly prove yourself. Just be. And if YOU are not enough to please someone, move on. Never lose yourself.

Ever.

Love, Lisa

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
A woman handing out free hugs
One day I’d love to do this. “Free Hugs” by Matthew G.

Friday. What a rough week.

Last night I went to dinner with Brandy, one of my local EndoSisters and one hellava Warrior. It was wonderful.

And after a few hours of talking, catching up, dumping out our hearts, and encouraging one another, we left after several hugs.

So, today’s quote:

“Some moments can only be cured with a big squishy grandma hug.” 

― Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing

They say laughter is the best medicine, but it’s not. Not for me. Hugs truly are. Good, long, warm, 100% legit hugs. Maybe that’s why I love Burning Man so much: endless, amazing hugs from so many strangers. Unencumbered, uninhibited, pure loving hugs.

And the long talk last night really made me feel better about so many things, too.

What lifts your spirits in times of darkness? Drop a comment below.

Blogs I Updated This Week:

Endometriosis & the Appendix: added two studies from July 2019 of women who had various symptoms and discovered during after their surgeries that they had Endometriosis on their appendix.

What Does Endometriosis Pain Feel Like: I added more entries from EndoWarriors describing what Endometriosis feels like to them. Would you like to share yours? Go ahead! There’s an entry form on the blog entry.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Group shot of 2019 Bloomin' Uterus Endometriosis Walk; San Diego, CA
2019 Bloomin’ Uterus Endometriosis Walk; San Diego, CA

And suddenly, just like that, it’s Friday already!

Today’s quote is for my fellow Warriors. This one, right here, is for YOU:

“Even in times of trauma, we try to maintain a sense of normality until we no longer can. That, my friends, is called surviving. Not healing. We never become whole again … we are survivors. If you are here today… you are a survivor. But those of us who have made it thru hell and are still standing? We bare a different name: warriors.” 

― Lori Goodwin

Remember how strong you are. How far you’ve come. How much you’ve endured. But, most importantly, understand that you are flanked by your fellow Warriors, standing side by side, hand in hand. You are not alone in this fight.

Maintain strength, even in the scary moments. And, if you need it, reach out for the Warrior beside you. ❤

Love, Lisa

Blogs I Updated This Week:

Bladder & Endometriosis: added a 2019 study of a woman who complained of menstrual cramps, painful urination, and an inability to hold her pee in. Guess where they found Endo? Yep, I know it’s rare, but it happens.

Endometriosis & the Bowel: added a 2019 study of a 35-year-old woman who had complaints of abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and cyclical rectal bleeding. They thought she had a possible carcinoma inside her guts, but it turned out to be (you guessed it), Endometriosis.

Endometriosis & the Lungs: added a 2019 study of a 37-year-old woman who ended up having Endometriosis inside her lungs along the pleura lining. Her surgeons were able to successfully excise the lesions and she was sypmtom-free nearly three years later.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
30-day challenge calendar

A good friend of mine announced the other day that she was planning on giving up all meat and dairy for the next 30 days. You don’t have to have Endo to give up these things and feel the benefits!

I hopped on her bandwagon. I mean, I’d previously given up *most* red meat and dairy…but I have my weaknesses with bison, bacon, pork, cheeeeeeeeese, whipped cream, butter…

We are on Day Three today. and I must say it’s been fun. Hard, but fun.

Day One was a doozy: some of my EndoSisters and I went to dinner at a local favorite: Buckboard’s BBQ. Meat. And Cheese. My usual: pork belly sliders and a side of some of the best mac&cheese you’ll ever taste. I resisted and opted instead for the veggie burger. And oh, man, I’ve never been offered so many mac&cheese balls in my life. And I have chicken, fish, corndogs, fishsticks, and pork chops in the freezer just begging to be eaten. I’m not even gonna talk about the bacon…

It’s also led me to do a bunch of research on how to make sure I get adequate protein, especially since my body still can’t process beans, and I avoid soy like it’s death. A challenge, but totally do-able.

And it’s been fun sharing our meals with each other and discussing creative ways that we’ve avoided meat and dairy. Oh the discoveries! Endo or no Endo, these are two good things to try to give up and see how your body handles the change

27 days to go; we can do this! Which leads to today’s quote:

“Embrace each challenge in your life as an opportunity for self-transformation.” 

― Bernie Siegel


What about you? What challenges are you facing? You CAN do it, too. Whatever it may be. And you most certainly are not facing them alone. We’re all right here with you.

Have a wonderful weekend! Love, Lisa.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

Good morning and happy Friday!

Today’s quote goes to all you supporters out there: whether you’re a caregiver, a friend, family, loved one, stranger…Thank you! And not just thanks from me…but thanks from anyone you’ve ever supported!

“Just being there for someone can sometimes bring hope when all seems hopeless.“

Dave G. Llewelyn

If someone needs you, and you can do it, be there for them. In any capacity.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Lisa