Friday, June 29, 2012

Those Emotional “Ups and Downs”

Whoever says it's easy to be a woman needs to go through the hormonal challenges that we go through!

Perimenopause, which means "around menopause," refers to the 2 to 8 years of changing hormone levels and related symptoms that lead up to menopause. (I've been one of the "lucky" ones to have been going through it, going on 12 years, now!) The most common sign of perimenopause is longer, often irregular menstrual cycles that are caused by hormonal ups and downs.

Perimenopause is a time of unpredictability. Menstrual and hormone-related symptoms are different for every woman. Some (lucky ones)notice few or no changes. And others have severe symptoms that disrupt their sleep and daily lives. As during the teen years, irregular cycles can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. Other common symptoms include mild to severe hot flashes, insomnia, cloudy thinking, headaches, heart palpitations, mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety. Some of these symptoms can also be related to aging and other life changes.

How can I relieve my symptoms?

I’ve tried several natural therapies and vitamins. The most effective approach to relief covers the foundation of women’s health: a deliberate diet, enjoyable exercise(which I've gotten away from), rest and relaxation, herbs and nutrients targeted to hormonal balance, and solid emotional support. Stress level also has a major influence, so learning stress reducing activities may help.

Also, it's encouraged to start with a pharmaceutical-grade multivitamin-mineral complex. I use a set of supplements that were prescribed by a women's natural hormone replacement specialist at a local pharmacy. Such targeted nutritional support may be enough to begin healing your hormonal pathways. Most women find that adding high-quality nutrients and phytotherapy is enough. Others need more support to reach ideal symptom relief. Different women have different needs, so you may want to work with a practitioner to decide which added therapies would help you. (For me, these things helped some, but I still struggle with occasional symptoms, sometime severe.)

O.k. all you perimenopausal/menopausal women, please stand and take a bow!!! You deserve to be treated like a queen!! Also, any women with PMS or PMDD may join this group of sufferers!     

For a little humor, here is an old blog post from the blog "Ungirdled Passions" that had me laughing and crying all at the same time. Author, Tracy, describes her take on the hormonal issues we often face. And having a teenager, too!?! Oh, my, not good!!

All kidding aside, I really dislike this part of being a woman!! Guess I'm feeling several of the symptoms today and it sucks! Praying the Lord gives me some relief! Also praying for any of you out there in blogger-land that are also suffering. May we let this difficulty be something that will give God glory and each of us greater faith and strength!

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18


Linking over at these blog hops:
On Your Heart Tuesday @ A Pause on the Path

Gathering at the Grace Cafe' @ Reflections of His Grace

 Heartprint Hallelujahs @ Heartprints of God
Faith Filled Friday @ Beholding Glory

Bless and Be Blessed @ Bible Love Notes

Sharing His Beauty @ The Beauty in His Grip

Monday, June 25, 2012

Not the Adventurous Type

Being married for over 25 years, I realize  that my husband is a pretty level headed, practical, predictable guy. That was actually one thing that attracted me to him so many years ago. The thing is, I'm also realizing that as we get a little older, he is definitely NOT the adventurous type anymore. Not that he was adventurous ever. In fact, his lack of adventure sometimes has come across as dull and boring. I guess I am mentioning this because, even though I've never been real adventurous, either, I sometimes dream of doing something totally out of my character, something that may be impractical, but would be fun!! I've brought the idea a up couple of times with my hubby, but his response is, "well, that would be nice, but not practical."  Oh, phooeey!!! One of these times, I'm going to do something just to be different and not worry if it is practical or not!! (Of course, I still would have to be conscious of how it would affect those I love), but just go for it!! Don't get me wrong. I love my hubby so much for being who he is! I can count on him for so many things. He's got a great heart and wants to do the right thing.

I met with my mentor and friend today and she encouraged me to try something different, too, just to spice things up in my life! I think we all need a little spice in our lives every now and then, don't you?

 Sharing the blessings God has bestowed upon me as I take part in the Joy Dare.
A gift bent, beautiful, loved.
812. bent - The words to a song I love...
How He Loves, by David Crowder
 (First verse)
 He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
813. loved - me! Jesus loves me, this I know(also stated in the song above!)
814. beautiful -my garden continues to produce some beautiful flowers!

 3 gifts found in light 
815. my doggies faces! (They love being out in the sun.)
 
816. light that shines on a spider web in the grass at the edge of my garden.
817. light that makes shadows on my porch and gives life to my flowers.

3 gifts that are difficult
818. Learning how to live with an adult child - too young to be totally independent, yet old enough he can make his own choices in life.
819. Getting through the day's activities when I'm not feeling real well.
820. Leaning on God; not worrying about others or letting situations control my emotions.

3 gifts found around a table
821. Having tea and dessert on the front porch with my hubby.
822. Having lunch with my son and his girlfriend after church service.
823. Laughing out loud and being totally open and real with a friend!

 A gift in water, in words, in white
824. water -getting to spend an afternoon at the beach with my best friend!
825. words - encouragement from a friend!
826. white - my white hydrangeas, producing beautiful flowers, even though the grass (notice how brown it is in the background!) is dying, due to a drought in our area.

3 gifts in someone older than you
827. Fishing with my mama(75 years old)
828. An elderly lady getting into the music(dancing, lifting arms) at our church worship service...so uplifting!
829. Meeting and talking with my mentor, Marg. (Even though, I don't feel like she is any older than me!) I appreciate her wisdom and caring heart!

 
Linking over at these blog parties:







Sunday, June 24, 2012

Lilies of the Field "Do Not Labor or Spin."




“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 
Matthew  6:28-30

I love growing lilies and watching them grow and bloom! Seeing them in my garden always make me think of these verses. (I realize the pink flower is a petunia, but it was already in this picture collage.)
 
 Linking over at these blog hops: