A Simple man

A rather deep Reflection…but it’s nearly the start of a new… (the next) 12 months!

Inspired by the blog of Joshua last week …I purchased and read (started !) a book on Stoicism…and I may have spent a little too much time trying to absorb all it had to offer !

Summaries are available 😊, but I prefer to read !

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Daily_Stoic

The Three Stoic Disciplines

Now, in order to extract as much as possible out of life, the Stoics were profoundly interested in mastering three disciplines: the discipline of perception, the discipline of action, and the discipline of will.

The discipline of perception was all about learning to see the world clearly;

the discipline of action dealt with the decisions and actions we take – and to what end we take them; finally, attaining

a discipline of will meant conquering your fears and doubts by accepting what you can’t change.

(very similar perhaps to the simple three fundamentals, Assess, Propose, Implement I so love to preach!)

Not the usual upbeat New Wave sounds but a truly sultry laid-back chill mix streaming the waves.

Loving this absolutely Chill mix … except it is lulling me to a far deeper state of relaxation than I anticipated! (Lilly (Pugzilla) is snoring loudly in her basket – not what she usually does for my usual choices …)

So where exactly am I at the end of 2019 …for all the Reflecting? Good question!

The year has also seen two of my dearest (furry) companions leave us, both Chandra and Salem are now just fuzzy warm emotions (still brings a tear to my eyes even writing this down) despite our best efforts there comes a time when you just need to let go. There have also been far too many (dare I say) older human companions that have given up the fight.

They too live on in our hearts- taken too soon.

Health wise – the “Trial” that came and went. The allure of a prototype “new” treatment certainly justifies all the efforts but in the end the damage my kidneys and liver were taking warranted me stopping.

In fact, it will be a whole year with NO medication soon… just attention to food details and a much, much, more disciplined diet- even over the past few days.

I’m still hobbling along, the MS doesn’t give up and certainly doesn’t take a break (EVER), walking is still a challenge but depending on the temperatures it can be mastered – just not for very far.

The new regime of Intermittent and full fasting has left me feeling slightly better (quite a lot leaner and seemingly with less abdominal cramps and pain) although the mobility and dexterity is certainly poorer now that at the start to the year (Which is to be expected, unfortunately ☹)

My last trip to the hospital is 31.12.2019 …fitting perhaps for the year spent tracking too and from the hospital. This last trip…the industrial strength Botox injections…I’m holding thumbs! I’m not expecting to run out rejuvenated, but a little respite from the spasticity would be awesome.

I’ve had my lessons this year and YES, I’ve learnt from them so thank you Universe I don’t need any refresher’s for the coming months, just let me get on with my journey…Please (Thank you …)

Gandalf has also left the building …short hair again (for a month or two now)!

Then what would my Reflections be without …the music !

What can I say – without the music the last year would have been very different, In fact I cannot any more imagine a day without music streaming through the house, sometimes late into the night too. (It helps diminish the ringing in my ears – another unfortunate MS side effect/symptom…it affects 70% of us…)

Thank you too for bearing with me through my music choices …😊

Perhaps the most played mix for the year …who’s counting anyhow.

Possibly my most favourite lyrics for the year …Lynyrd Skynyrd , Simple Man. ( I wake up these days hearing this in my head and it’s my go to music to start each day )

 I say possibly as I have had such amazing listening experiences this year courtesy of Franco (Frantricky on Mixcloud). It would be near impossible for me to single out even a top 10…I really  am so thankful for all the music.

Simple man
Mama told me when I was young
“Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it will help you some sunny day”
“Oh, take your time, don’t live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You’ll find a woman and you’ll find love
And don’t forget, son, there is someone up above”
“And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can”
“Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied”
“And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can”
Oh yes, I will
“Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied”
“And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won’t you do this for me, son, if you can”
Baby, be a simple, really simple man
Oh, be something you love and understand

Last but not least I am truly blessed by my family ( both genetic and that I have assimilated over the years), without their support and constant encouragement I don’t think the year could have been as manageable. It isn’t easy dealing with all that the MS throws at you. It helps to have Faith and Purpose.

Thank you 2019.

Getting back to the virtues of Stoicism, I digress far too easy (worse than Jake with the resident squirrel….)

These are the four steps to becoming a Stoic:

#1. Learn how to differentiate between what is true and what is not and accept only the former;
#2. Try to harmonize your needs and desires with what you can control;
#3. Embrace that which you can’t;
#4. You are part of humanity: work toward the common good.

Not a bad way to live your life, not at all.

Bring it on 2020 or as we like to think …January !