I relieve stress during the day by capturing beautiful flowers and all of nature............

Before you end your day, try this: The best exercise to do before lights-out involves no movement at all.

Lie on the floor, bend your knees, and rest your calves on the couch. Drop your chin toward your chest, place your arms a few inches from your sides, and close your eyes. Start counting the things you're grateful for - no matter how big or small you might think the thing is that makes you feel happy and grateful about your life. It's strictly on your terms; get to at least 10 and then picture a beautiful brook; trees, and hear the water and music that's in your head or have a relaxing CD playing music similar to what's on this blog.

From the ACCESS TO INSIGHT web-site:

I took this photograph about 2 miles from where we live. We have beautiful mountains all around us; we sit in a valley of mountains and new the Mojave Indian Reservation.

I love these words that I took from the Access Into Insight web-site - the author grants permission so long as we credit the site. You can read more by linking to the site from the side-bar.

A refuge supreme
They go to many a refuge,
to mountains and forests,
to park and tree shrines:
people threatened with danger.
That's not the secure refuge,
not the supreme refuge,
that's not the refuge,
having gone to which,
you gain release
from all suffering & stress.
But when, having gone
to the Buddha, Dhamma,
& Sangha for refuge,
you see with right discernment
the four noble truths —
stress,
the cause of stress,
the transcending of stress,
& the noble eightfold path,
the way to the stilling of stress:
that's the secure refuge,
that, the supreme refuge,
that is the refuge,
having gone to which,
you gain release
from all suffering & stress.

A burst of energy - thank you, Jessica.........

Today Jessica told me she'd bought some indian flute CD's - the sounds that only it seems, Native Americans and other 'indians' from around the world can capture not in song, but by bringing the sounds of the soul; nature, and the 'elements' to us in a mellow and haunting sound that many of us who are the 'pale faces', seem to get caught up in some kind of confusion - we call it quandry, because we try to impose some type of intellect on what requires no 'education', but rather simply listening to the soul in all of us.

A friend wrote 'you're not a body, you're a soul'. We are a body; that is our physical being, but who we are - our soul; our personal temple, is really who we are.

If you search through this blog for ideas, you'll find some of what I'm adding here, on the side-bar and in various posts and summaries written by 'experts'.

Someone wrote: "An expert is just a drip going steady" - it makes sense now doesn't it.

Ultimately we are the 'expert' of our being; our soul, and after all the research we do; all the methods we employ, we still revert to our individual concepts of life and how we think it should be and unfold.

For example: I put music on this blog that soothes me; that appeals to me, but maybe it's because it's piano music and the artist sounds remarkably like 'me' - he was born in 1940; died in 2004, but I truly wish I'd known him because I often play the piano with this music - I play the harmonic because I don't want to infringe upon his creative gift; only want to join in and harmonize with what I think would have caused him to smile had we both met and played side-by-side.

One needs to remember, there's no need to be 'the star'; we can simply chime in and add to the depth of the music - we can become the expansion of a belief and methodology that another has initiated - playing 'second fiddle' is great if it brings a new 'sound' that compliments and complements the efforts of another.

While both Jessica and I make a concerted effort to find solutions to our individual medical needs; to enhance our health, it has to be an individual goal yet it doesn't mean we're isolated in our quest.

I find joy in the most simple of things; I'm not high maintenance, and indeed, I don't require huge sums of money to satisfy me.

I enjoy a simple breakfast of cottage cheese; 1/2 of an avocado sliced on top and a few slices of fresh tomato with a big bottle of chilled water, and a cup of green tea.

I make a sandwich that's truly delicious to me. I get a 12-grain dark bread; spread it with cream cheese; add tomatoes, sunflower seeds, alfalpha sprouts, swiss cheese, several slices of avocado, romaine lettuce, and feel like a 'queen' as I take each bite; savor it, and enjoy it as if it were the most fresh and delightful meal I could relish. Two cups of green tea; refreshing - and sometimes I put a side of sauted mushrooms to enjoy.

My dinner is often a plate of grapes, carrots, celery, sliced cucumbers, a small piece of a favorite cheese and a fresh tasty apple with a fresh pear for dessert.

My late-time snack might be a mixture of black-berries and peaches; a little half and half, and a tiny sprinkling of mint for that special touch.

I love drinking water; adding a bit of lemon juice often brightens up the flavor - I can almost feel my body reacting to the cleansing and energy from juicing that I love so much.

My favorite things to juice are apple juice; cucumber, celery with a dash of celery salt and lemon juice - it's cooling; refreshing, and makes me thing of the beautiful garden I used to watch over with such love - watching tiny sprouts turn into hardy plants that produced food I could eat from the garden as I weeded, is a fond thought and memory.

I can eat a bowl of sugar peas just as they are. I love to bite into a fresh tomato just as one often bites into an apple. I eat 3 or 4 carrots; the crunch is satisfying, and the sweetness is like candy to me.

I will often stuff green peppers with a few mushrooms; fresh tomatoes, and cottage cheese for a single 'dish' meal.

I think our bodies do talk to us; they tell us when we are in need of a certain food or mineral/vitamin, and all we have to do is listen.

I remember my husband telling me to 'listen louder' - it has multiple meanings because it can be about hearing what the body wants for food as well as what people are trying to say to me, and if I'm not 'tuned in', I don't give them the benefit of being a good ear and friend when they are in need.

It doesn't take huge sums of money to eat properly; it doesn't take social status and career success to be in harmony with life; nature, and our interal well-being. It doesn't take being a celebrity; a big house or material wealth, to find the serenity that all of us tend to seek.

We're told we're pleasure seekers; some require a vast income and material wealth to find happiness and pleasure, but I see things in a different light - the painting I used for this post, makes me feel calm and humbled by the beauty of a woman and a simple piece of pottery that embraces not only the need to create a vessel for practical use, but to do it with love and make it artistic as well as functional.

Now, I'm going to take a breather from blogging; time to focus on my own progress in my quest for optimum health, and to ponder my life - go to the Grand Canyon, and see what nature has given to us over the thousands of years of 'change'.

I thought of the mountains; the glacier, and I wrote a simple piece of prose that summed up the purpose of the glacier.

"A cap of snow; a collar of ice - the glacier (sure) of itself, and it's prevailing elegance and eternal attestment to the power of nature - to the magnitude of size, while being silent in its presence on the landscape of what is considered magnificent".

I hope you will think on these things; enjoy the blog while I'm gone, and possibly even decide to create a blog of your own - telling your own story; sharing the things that have inspired you - being candid about the set-backs, and telling the rest of the world what kept you going in the face of adversity; feeling fatigued - feeling lost at times - wondering about your purpose in life, but still finding the strength to get up each day, and add something special to the lives of those around you and building your legacy that no one can alter; no one but you, and create your destiny and your desire to improve on those things you find important.

We all saw Christopher Reeves turn into the real 'Superman' after he was paralyzed. We saw the joyful Michael J. Foxx turn from a light-hearted comedian, to an advocate and activist after he was slapped hard with Parkinson's Disease. We see Patrick Swayze turn from the energetic dancer; actor - handome and viril man, to a man who persists in his career as he battles inoperable cancer.

One only has to read the book, 'THE ESSENTIAL GHANDI', to not only gain from the words he wrote, but the life he led, and the inspiration he was to millions across the globe.

Take the time to read the writings of Kahlil Gibran; the man who inspired me in my early life - the book, 'THE PROPHET' - you can even find it on line now, and his writings have guided me for 47 years now.

Continue to seek the words from the sages; those who've proven the power of the human will and commitment; the power of confidence, and yet at all times peaceful. With that, this is my last post until I return in September, 2009.

Remember to ask yourself - are you a rock; are you an island - as Simon and Garfunkel said, "A rock feels no pain, and an island never dies".

Decide who you are; once you've made that decision, rejoice in it - let no one define your destiny or goals. Now, the rest of the posts will give you some history; some reference points, and some research that will help you should you be dealing with depression; CFS, adrenal fatigue - thyroid imbalance, and once you've brought the physical into harmony with the spirit, you'll greet the day in a new and very positive way - I'm certain of this because it's worked for me.

Remember to enjoy the 'sounds of silence'; the most deafening; and like the title of the first song you're hearing on this blog, it was Beethoven's 'silence' - the years he composed after being totally deaf, that we often find some of his best works because he was guided by the internal belief in himself and his comptency.

When I bought this painting from Robin Urton, the energy that filled me was phenominal!

Robin Urton has created two paintings that I love; the other is further down in an earlier post. This one you're viewing, is called BUDDHA BEING.

I must say, every time I look at this one I get the same energy I did the first time I saw it!

If you're suffering from adrenal fatigue; depression, or living with CFS or low thyroid function, you're going through what both Jessica and I have been for years, and as we both have shared our experiences and symptoms, we find we also find comfort in the practices of Yoga; the study of Buddhism, and other 'words of wisdom', and examples and methods we've reviewed, to help us improve our quality of life.

I thought this would be helpful - the list comes from http://www.zenhabits.net - this site is on my rss feed, and I find 'gems' on a regular basis - here's one of the more recent posts:

How to Be Mindful

1. Do one thing at a time. Single-task, don’t multi-task. When you’re pouring water, just pour water. When you’re eating, just eat. When you’re bathing, just bathe. Don’t try to knock off a few tasks while eating or bathing or driving. Zen proverb: “When walking, walk. When eating, eat.”
2. Do it slowly and deliberately. You can do one task at a time, but also rush that task. Instead, take your time, and move slowly. Make your actions deliberate, not rushed and random. It takes practice, but it helps you focus on the task.
3. Do less. If you do less, you can do those things more slowly, more completely and with more concentration. If you fill your day with tasks, you will be rushing from one thing to the next without stopping to think about what you do. But you’re busy and you can’t possibly do less, right? You can. I’ve done it, and so have many busy people. It’s a matter of figuring out what’s important, and letting go of what’s not. Read more: The Lazy Manifesto: Do Less.
4. Put space between things. Related to the “Do less” rule, but it’s a way of managing your schedule so that you always have time to complete each task. Don’t schedule things close together — instead, leave room between things on your schedule. That gives you a more relaxed schedule, and leaves space in case one task takes longer than you planned.
5. Spend at least 5 minutes each day doing nothing. Just sit in silence. Become aware of your thoughts. Focus on your breathing. Notice the world around you. Become comfortable with the silence and stillness. It’ll do you a world of good — and just takes 5 minutes!
6. Stop worrying about the future - focus on the present. Become more aware of your thinking — are you constantly worrying about the future? Learn to recognize when you’re doing this, and then practice bringing yourself back to the present. Just focus on what you’re doing, right now. Enjoy the present moment.
7. When you’re talking to someone, be present. How many of us have spent time with someone but have been thinking about what we need to do in the future? Or thinking about what we want to say next, instead of really listening to that person? Instead, focus on being present, on really listening, on really enjoying your time with that person.
8. Eat slowly and savor your food. Food can be crammed down our throats in a rush, but where’s the joy in that? Savor each bite, slowly, and really get the most out of your food. Interestingly, you’ll eat less this way, and digest your food better as well.
9. Live slowly and savor your life. Just as you would savor your food by eating it more slowly, do everything this way — slow down and savor each and every moment.
As I type this, for example, I have my 3-year-old daughter, Noelle, on my lap. She’s just sitting here quietly, as the rain pours down in a hush outside. What a lovely moment. In fact, I’m going to take a few minutes off just to be with her now. Be right back. :)
10. Make cleaning and cooking become meditation. Cooking and cleaning are often seen as drudgery, but actually they are both great ways to practice mindfulness, and can be great rituals performed each day. If cooking and cleaning seem like boring chores to you, try doing them as a form of meditation. Put your entire mind into those tasks, concentrate, and do them slowly and completely. It could change your entire day (as well as leave you with a cleaner house).
11. Keep practicing. When you get frustrated, just take a deep breath. When you ask yourself, “What should I do now, Self?”, the answer is “keep practicing”.
“When you drive around the city and come to a red light or a stop sign, you can just sit back and make use of these twenty or thirty seconds to relax — to breathe in, breathe out, and enjoy arriving in the present moment. There are many things like that we can do.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

About all I'd add to that is, I never drive in the car without a full supply of beautiful music on CD's - it makes the traffic problems disappear for me....

Diane

One of the MAJOR REASONS we experience fatigue; depression, and other symptoms of adrenal failure.....

This is a picture of my great grand-daughter taking her first taste of a strawberry. Was it sour? From the expression on her face, it would appear so.

Things have changed in the way we grow our foods nowadays; back when I was a kid, there was never a 'sour strawberry'; never a berry that didn't taste sweet - juicy, and they were grown organically.

I found this incredible list of foods that are now altered in many ways; the harmful effects on all of us. The article is lengthy; the links are numerous to be sure, but it's well worth the read I think.

Here's the link: http://www.raw-wisdom.com/genetically-modified-food

In the last few years, I wondered why I felt MORE depressed prior to major holidays.....

The postcard is one from my collection. I remember buying it because it was near Christmas some years ago; I was feeling depressed - puzzled by my mood, and this suddenly changed it.

Why did I stop and think again about what a 'real depression' could be? Well, this old post card shows a soldier - WWI; gone for Christmas, and I began to feel very ashamed that I'd felt sad when I really had nothing to be sad about. Certainly the millions who felt the loss of their loved ones being far across the globe - during Christmas, and fighting a war, had much more to be depressed and tearful about.

Of course that prompted me to look at my dad's photo of him in his army uniform - gone for 4 years; missing the holidays, and my mother alone - just with me.

Mom said I was her 'strength' to go forward; she depended upon my smile and happy child-like ways, to keep her spirits up.

It was then I realized that part of my depression was because my children were all grown up; all of them live miles from where I do, and I don't get to see all of them for the holidays - I miss those wonderful times, and it's hard to just exchange gifts by mail and share greetings over the telephone.

I was searching on the web to see if there were any articles on holiday depression - I found one that I thought was helpful.

If most of us who are mom's are going to be 'alone' on Mother's Day this year, we all know that empty feeling and can be prone to fall into depression.

If we have no one to share the 4th of July with; to raise the flag and hear the band play our national anthem, we can feel so left out.

And what about Memorial Day - we decorate the graves; yet, we weep - it's a time that reminds us of those days with long departed loved ones.

Sometimes I glance at the calendar and curse the holiday because it stirs up memories that I cherish, and I'm not able to make 'new memories' that seem to have the depth and joy, that I did when I was a child; a young mother - a new grandmother, and now even most of my grandchildren are grown; moving to other parts of the country, and it continues to be a difficult thing to cope with those changes, and not feel a bit down-hearted.

So, while it's not Christmas or Thanksgiving that's approaching us now, these ideas I found still work because some of them are applicable to any holiday or personal family birthday; anniversary, or those big 'red letter' days you put on the calendar.

I thought it important to add to this blog, because this also contributes to some of the dilemma those of us face who have fatigue; stress, and it's not always related to the physical condition, but rather to the individual's emotional state - regardless of who thinks it's important, if that person who's 'down in the dumps', thinks it's important, then it is - after all, the world is as we perceive it to be through our eyes.

From the Mayo Clinic, these suggestions helped me when I was too sick to attend a Christmas gathering with my family in California. I hope they'll help you as well - to 'bettering your health' as I'm doing with mine. Diane

Tips you can try to head off holiday stress and depression:

Acknowledge your feelings. If a loved one has recently died or you aren't able
to be with your loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness or grief.
It's OK now and then to take time just to cry or express your feelings. You
can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season.

Seek support. If you feel isolated or down, seek out
family members and friends, or community, religious or social services. They can
offer support and companionship. Consider volunteering at a community or
religious function. Getting involved and helping others can lift your spirits
and broaden your friendships. Also, enlist support for organizing holiday
gatherings, as well as meal preparation and cleanup. You don't have to go it
alone. Don't be a martyr.

Be realistic. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change
as well. Hold on to those you can and want to. But accept that you may have to
let go of others. For example, if your adult children and grandchildren can't
all gather at your house as usual, find new ways to celebrate together from
afar, such as sharing pictures, e-mails or videotapes.

Set differences aside. Try to accept family members
and friends as they are, even if they don't live up to all your expectations.
Practice forgiveness. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for
discussion. With stress and activity levels high, the holidays might not be
conducive to making quality time for relationships. And be understanding if
others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're
feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.

Stick to a budget. Before you go shopping, decide how much money you can afford
to spend on gifts and other items. Then be sure to stick to your budget. If you
don't, you could feel anxious and tense for months afterward as you struggle to
pay the bills. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Donate to
a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts or start a family gift
exchange.

Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping,
baking, visiting friends and other activities. Plan your menus and then make one
big food-shopping trip. That'll help prevent a last-minute scramble to buy
forgotten ingredients — and you'll have time to make another pie, if the first
one's a flop. Expect travel delays, especially if you're flying.

Learn to say no. Believe it or not, people will understand if you can't
do certain projects or activities. If you say yes only to what you really want
to do, you'll avoid feeling resentful, bitter and overwhelmed. If it's really
not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime, try to remove
something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time.

Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays
become a dietary free-for-all. Some indulgence is OK, but overindulgence only
adds to your stress and guilt. Have a healthy snack before holiday parties so
that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks. Continue to get plenty
of sleep and schedule time for physical activity.

Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone,
without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to
do. Steal away to a quiet place, even if it's to the bathroom for a few moments
of solitude. Take a walk at night and stargaze. Listen to soothing music. Find
something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and
restoring inner calm.

Rethink resolutions. Resolutions can set you up for
failure if they're unrealistic. Don't resolve to change your whole life to make
up for past excess. Instead, try to return to basic, healthy lifestyle routines.
Set smaller, more specific goals with a reasonable time frame. Choose only those
resolutions that help you feel valuable and that provide more than only fleeting
moments of happiness.

Forget about perfection. Holiday TV specials are filled with happy endings. But
in real life, people don't usually resolve problems within an hour or two.
Something always comes up. You may get stuck late at the office and miss your
daughter's school play, your sister may dredge up an old argument, your partner
may burn the cookies, and your mother may criticize how you're raising the kids.
All in the same day. Accept imperfections in yourself and in others.

Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your
best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued
by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and unable to
face routine chores. If these feelings last for several weeks, talk to your
doctor or a mental health professional. You may have depression.

So, if you do think you have depression; feeling like it won't go away - not ever, then continue reading some of the posts - refer to the side-bar for some helpful 'quotes' that are inspiring and supportive.

Look at your eating habits; your life-style, and your 'habit' of possibly expecting things to 'stay the same' (as I've done) - things change; we age, and nothing stands still for long. We can't save 'Time In A Bottle', but we shouldn't 'bottle up' our worries and refuse to seek help.

Seeking we find; asking we shall get some answers - the doors are open on so many places not only on the I-net, but in the selections of books and through the kindness of friends and family. Once we share the sad feelings we're having; if we 'open up, about our personal difficulties, we will find a friendly 'ear' - a kind person; a good soul that will give us that extra boost we're seeking, so we can re-engage our own will power, and enjoy the days to come.

How I acquire ENERGY, and how I often lose it....

Let's talk the positive stuff first! The photo' above - these colors are the most calming colors to me, not only separately but in this combination.

The music I've picked for this blog - allows me to relax while I'm posting; reading, or just about anything. I have a musical play-list blog; I have over 80 play-lists, and about 100 to 200 songs on each list - music is #1 to my relaxation. Not only do I listen, but I sing and play the piano, so this gives me a way to unwind and refresh myself.

I love art; love photography - love certain smells of flowers. My favorites odors are Hyacinth; Lilac, and Gardenia. Coming in close to my 3 favorites are Daffodils and Peonies. All of my fragrances are from this family of flowers; body sprays - powders, and room fresheners.

I adore the smell of sheets and clothes dried outside; I spray my bed sheets with linen or lavendar spray - quite often, 7 to 10 times within a 90-minute period as I wind down; watch a little television, or listen to music and read.

I love comedy; love the sound of children laughing, and adore watching animals play as well as hugging them up close. I love anything in nature - thunderstorms; rainbows - wind, snow, the greening of the trees and grass....

I get more energy from these things, than I do from eating food. I'm a sporadic eater; something that I've read up on and I see I definitely NEED to improve on that aspect of my life.

On the down-side, I've learned what robs me of my energy - both mental and physically. It's not hard work that ever bothers me; mental or physical, but rather irritating little efforts and practices that seem to have little or no meaning in my life, yet I have to 'do it'.

Example: Filling out forms at the dentist and doctor offices; over and over - wondering why they don't just keep the initial form and information on file, and not make me update it every 3 months.

Waiting in a grocery line while the cashier talks to a neighboring cashier about something she did in her life; making a complaint or laughing loudly while slowly processing the people who are standing in line waiting to check out.

Listening to idle chatter irritates me - I make a best effort to tune it out. Getting advertising and junk mail in my post office box - a waste of paper; ink, and a detriment to our environment. I dislike e-mails with idle gossip - use of coined phrases, and slang in the body of a letter or used in conversation.

Hearing people complain about what they don't have, instead of talking about what they do have. People with huge expectations, and not often willing to work to attain those achievements, but rather want it all handed to them on a 'platter'. I'm guilty of allowing people to overwhelm me and sap me of my energy; I try to meet every demand and request, and then often find out these kind of people can never be 'pleased', and will continually drain you with their negative thinking and way of life. With that part of my life, I either decide if I'll accept them 'as is', because I love them enough to do so, or I leave (politely), and usually tell them that they are sapping my strength; causing me to feel stressed and worried, and let it be that. I move on....

Also, I dislike 90% of television today; commercials and content. I choose only those channels who have positive opinion; content - entertainment, and minimal commercial advertising. When the advertising comes on, I put the 'mute button' into action. Because there's always music playing in our home, I listen to the music - watch the moving figures on the television screen, and make up my own 'words' that I put in their mouths as a game to help me 'bide the time', until the regular program returns.

The only physical task that annoys me is dusting. Of course I'm my own worst enemy on that; I collect antiques - artwork; my son calls my home a 'dusting nightmare', and he's right. I deal with it by lovingly holding each piece as I dust it; remembering where I got it, and the joy I had when I brought it home to add to the collection. Most of the time I do get involved with this thought process, and wind up dusting without nearly the angst and fretting just from thinking about it.

I find that if I stop thinking about doing a chore that I dread; do it, I'm much more relaxed and calm after I've started that task - usually within 5 minutes after I've begun to get the job done!

I enjoy reading; I enjoy learning - I want to continue to get better and keep going in a positive direction. To that end, I do subscribe to this particular newsletter - sharing the link, so you might read those articles too.

As always, 'to your health and mine'. Now the link:

http://www.pursuitoflight.com/articles/

REDUCING STRESS.....for the moment anyway.....

I learned to play the piano at age 8; it became not only my passion, but ultimately was key in relieving stress - getting lost in the physical activity of it all, as well as the sounds of beautiful music.

I say beautiful music, but as a young student, 'beautiful' wasn't always the case. In the process of learning (being impatient as well), I had to put in hours of practice in order to perfect the song. To me - at the age of 8, and the age of 67 as I am now, 'perfection' was imperative. Perfection not only in playing the piano, but every thing I did in life. Perfection - something my doctor said can never be achieved, and said I should strive for 'excellence'.

Well to me 'excellence' was being perfect - so you can see, I'm my own worst critic and enemy; a perfect beginning for adrenal failure and even periodic times of depression when I didn't love up to MY expectations!

Over the years, I read some of the factors that adversely affect the adrenal system, and boy was it obvious to me that I was at the 'top of the list' when I noted my own personal issues as they compared to those factors!

I guess you could say I'm a 'perfect' case of adrenal failure....

Let's list those factors that were outlined to me by not only various doctors, but that are often listend in books; on medical web-sites, etc., and I'll show you just how 'perfect' I was (and am).

INFECTION: I nearly died from pneumonia before the age of 1. I had asthma, hay fever, eczema. I had diptheria; whooping cough - german measles, mumps, rheumatic fever, and scarlet fever all by the age of 5. Of course I'm not counting the flu'; colds, and bronchitis in this.

I was also allergic to so many foods, that my diet from birth was soy-bean milk formula; bananas, rice pudding and tea. My mother spent the first 3 years fretting about how thin I was and the very limited diet she had to keep me on so I wouldn't break out in hives; have an asthma attack and start wheezing. Back then, the doctors would give me adrenalin shots; the frequency created heart problems and I wound up with a heart murmur after rheumatic fever.

I remember my 5th birthday - 3 doctors came to the party - all claimed they had worried I'd never see that special moment.....

Age 6, I came down with polio; ultimately recovered with little damage to my legs - just weakness and fatigue and had trouble running and playing for any length of time.

Age 10, a serious back injury in a farm accident - couldn't walk for 4 months; talk about stress - a young girl who loves to run and play, being confined.

By age 12, a few sprained ankles; putting a spike through my foot playing basketball up in the barn where dad had piled old wood with nails in it, another few weeks of having a severed tendon and couldn't walk. Falling out of a few trees; continuing with my constant illnesses of pneumonia and flu' - then being allergic to various foods; cats, horses, pollen - didn't help.

Frankly, I think I must have jumped up and said, "Hey, disease - wanna play with me; I'm game"......... Not a fun game to be sure...........

When I was 16, after nearly a year of ear pain and misery, a tumor came peeking out of my right ear - it was removed; I sat on the table while they cut it out - my mom crying because they couldn't give me a local anesthetic because of the proximity to the brain and we couldn't afford to have regular surgery except as an out-patient.

When I had my first child, I developed eclampsia; my first daughter was ill from it as well, so she was in isolation and I had been in terrible ill health for about a month before she was born. Always worried about that affecting her health, but she's now almost 49 and was never sick or in any way damaged by that experience. In fact all of my kids are as healthy as I was sick - it was my learning about good diets and proper child care that helped keep them that way.

I had toxemia with my second pregnancy; pulled the groin muscles while changing the mattress on the bed, and wore a support for 6 weeks before my first son was born. Lucky for me, the last 2 pregnancies went perfect!

In 1975 I had uterine cancer; the cancer was removed - ovaries stayed, and I remained on my sound eating diet/program, so I bounced back very quickly. Once the uterus had been removed, I felt like a new person - still think it was probably a 'drag' on me long before the cancer showed up, so injury and ill health do drain the entire body; you just keep running on 'the fumes', and don't often notice it.

LACK OF GOOD FOOD: Well with a restricted and limited diet, guess that started me off on the wrong foot when I was but a wee babe.

Because I grew to be a picky eater; a thin skinny kid who didn't like much of any of the new foods the doctors said I could try, that was the next step toward ultimately finding a diet that I could ultimately prepare (as an adult) - that took me 25 years to figure that one out.

I'm grateful for the fact I could finally eat vegetables; fruits, and pretty much have eaten vegetarian most of my life because I often get sick on meat; particularly pork and bacon - sausage puts me in bed with vomitting; cramps, and flu'-like symptoms.

OVER-EXERTION: I was a hyper kid - didn't sleep; didn't like to eat, and loved to run and play on the farm. I rode my bike; my horse - ran with my dog - enjoyed my many pets, and would hit the bed drained at the end of every day.

As a teen-ager, I had to try everything; sports - music, art, photography - I wanted to be the best student, so long hours of study exhausted me, but I pushed forward.

I had four children; worked for 36 years - a working mom who also was involved in community affairs; presided over the PTO; PTA, 4-H leader - and gave piano lessons.....just to mention a few of my constant activities.

As a kid I worked in the fields; dad didn't have a son to help him, so I had to pitch in. I worked in the garden with mother; she often needed me to babysit the younger kids, so I was a 'replacement mom' many many times.

We were poor, so we had to make our own clothes; sewing and cooking - helping as needed, was an early part of my life.

During my adult life, I've moved 37 times - that's a lot of packing; unpacking, settling and adjusting to new surroundings. I won't detail that - it would tire me to write about it, and anyone reading this to do so.

By this time, you can see I fell to another one of those 'factors' - it's called PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS. Not only was I stressed out from physical exertion, but the mental aspects of all this, was also overwhelming at times.

FINANCIAL PRESSURES: Of course I was born into a family who suffered terribly from financial difficulties. When I married the first time, we had little - I worked 2 jobs as did my husband; it was stressful, but it helped relieve the financial problems.

Over the years, the ups and downs of financial security; raising a family, have kept my mind in a constant state of 'concern' - I admit, I'm addicted to savings; to keeping a tight budget, and never seem to feel confident that the finances are 'in order' (but, frankly they are quite good at this stage of my life).

MARITAL STRESS is another factor. Well, I'm now on my 6th husband, so you can understand this has played a big part in my life.

Keeping it simple; minimal, husband #1 abandoned me and my 2 children for a career in driving race cars. A rough time indeed!

Husband #2 - fine for a few years; then his drinking habits and marital infidelity caused a second divorce - now I had 4 children; a full-time job, and financial worries to boot.

Husband #3 - wonderful for 2 years; then he popped up with a drug habit as well as an alcohol habit - I said goodbye again......

Husband #4 - a joy for 3 years; my life was the happiest it has ever been! Sadly, we relocated to a new state where he became involved with people who enjoyed doing drugs; he fell to drugs - alcohol, and I became a 'victim' of his 'war' and failure to overcome his addictions.

Husband #5 - I loved this guy, but failed to check into his background and ended up with a wife-beater; an alcoholic, and a man who brought a pile of bills to me that had to be paid. This short and difficult union, ended up with me being beaten; hospitaized, and it required my moving a far distance from him because of his threats and constant negative interference in my life.

I waited 7 years after that divorce before I married again. Now I have a steady guy; there's peace in the house, but I was 58 years old before I knew the comfort of what being married could be - that's a lot of years of trauma and heart-ache, before finally getting some 'marital comfort'.

INJURY: Goodness, the list is long on that one. I've been in 6 car accidents; one that nearly killed me - the rehabilitation took 5 years. Another took 3 years of rehabilitation. From whip-lash; broken ribs - brain injury; arm and leg injuries as well as back injuries, it seems the only thing that has not been injured are my precious 10 fingers - the ones I use to play the piano with!

On top of that, all the medications and prescription drugs that were given to me during the course of the recoveries, had side-effects that added to the problems.

I was kept on steroids for nearly 3 years; much too long, and it ruined my teeth - skin, and damaged my hair as well as my morale.

Not having good doctors; competent medical care, has certainly added to both the emotional and physical stress.

DEATH OF A LOVED ONE is another factor often mentioned. Yes, there have been too many in my mind, but for the most part I think I've been fortunte that those who died had lived to a reasonably old age, and had enjoyed most of their lives, so I was able to cope with the loss by reminding myself that their lives had been fruitful and good.

In summary, when a person doesn't get enough rest and relaxation and is constantly under pressure and 'driven' by outside factors and influences, it's quite easy to end up with adrenal fatigue. Me? Yup - I think I've listed enough examples on this post, to say I qualify - I pass the 'test', and have been given a big "A" on my 'adrenal fatigue' test.

However, I can say that in all of this I had the most wonderful children; I loved my 36 year working career - my hobbies; and have found my way through this life because I focused on the things I was grateful for; the things I loved, and that's what's allowed me to 'keep it going'........

Now at this stage of my life, age is proving to be a factor - wearing me down a bit, so I'm searching for new ideas and methods to find more energy and will-power to keep on going for another 30 years.

Thanks to Jessica's recent e-mails; our friendship, and our common goals I think we'll be making this journey 'together' - via 'cyberspace', and maybe even one day I'll be able to travel to where she lives, and meet her in person. Strange thing, she's so personable, I feel like I already have.....

STRESS - I could 'stress out' over the simplest of things....

This picture was taken 42 years ago; my two oldest of 4 children. Notice the glare from the window on the picture? Yes, that had me upset and disappointed to the point of fretting. Stress - over and over - causes adrenal failure and puts a load on the entire body!

The result of stress - great or simple as not taking the 'perfect picture' caused insomnia for me; this results in the lack of the body producing serotonin. Back when this picture was taken, I was skinny as a 'rail' - hyperthyroidism was my problem, but after a critical brain injury in a car accident in 2002, I ended up severely hypothyroid!

Some of the first posts will be about that 'journey' - my particular case; hopefully most will be about the course of recovery and success as I experience it in my own life, and the research I do.