Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Day 27 - "Find Your Tribe"

Today I will be sharing ways I found that helped me cope during our journey with Dementia’s Demands.  Just as there are many reasons we would need to “cope”, there are many ways to cope!  And what works for me may not work for someone else.

The title of today’s post is taken from a quote by Jennifer Pastiloff found on the Lewy Body Dementia Association website, and shared by a friend whose husband died from this form of dementia.   The quote touches on my number one way that I am able to cope:
“Find your Tribe.  You know, the ones that make you feel the most you.  The ones that lift you up and help you remember who you really are.  The ones that remind you that a blip in the road is just that, a blip; and not to mistake it for an earthquake, and even if it were to be an earthquake, they’d be there with the Earthquake Emergency Supply Kit.  They are the ones that, when you walk out of a room, they make you feel like a better person than when you walked in.  They are the ones that, even if you don’t see them face to face as often as you’d like, you see them heart to heart.  You know, that kind of Tribe?”

1.  Find Your Tribe – It is very important for me to be a part of a group that I can share my feelings with; that understand me and what I am going through; that I can laugh and play and share and cry with; that I can just “be me” with!  That is my source – my group – my people - my “Tribe”.  My “Tribe(s)” consist of Church, Choir, Women’s Fellowship Group, Sunday Lunch Bunch (who are parts of each of the previous groups!), Family, Scrappin' Friends, AND my new friends - The 31 Dayers!  What would your tribe look like?

2.  Reading – I love to read and take advantage of reading just about anything that interests me!  Most of the time I am reading Nicholas Sparks, Nora Roberts, Deborah Raney, Danielle Steel and others that sound like a good read.  I also found help with our journey by reading self-help books.  The best and most helpful book for me has been “The 36-Hour Day” by Nancy L. Mace, MA, and Peter V. Rabins, MD, MPH, which I have quoted from often in the past 26 days!

3.  Writing – I mainly write in my journal (not necessarily every day), but I have also typed out some of the information I used to write in this blog, such as "The Broken Pencil"and "A Stranger in my Home".  I have also written few poems that were shared earlier (see Crying Out to God which incorporates both “Silent Cries” and “Where are you God?”).

4.  Scrapbooking – I love to “make memories” as we enjoy family time, and take a lot of photos to document those special times.  Putting them together in a scrapbook helps to preserve those memories.  Here are two of my grandsons on a “dinosaur” that is located in front of a children’s consignment store, and one with all five of my grand children in front of a special candy store:


Dinosaur Fun


5 Grands at Sweet Pete's


5.  Music – I love all types of music and listen to the radio every time I am in the car; why I don’t turn it on at home is because of the TV blaring most days…some of my most inspirational times (alone) are hearing a favorite song on the Christian radio station I listen to most often!  Although there are many songs that inspire, I want to share one favorite that has meant a lot to me during this journey:




What more can I say?  We cope – and we all cope in different ways.  Mine may not be your way; and yours may not be mine.  But sharing my journey on this blog has been helpful; and I have learned that comfort in knowing:  “For You are who You are no matter where I am; and every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand; You never left my side…”

10 comments:

  1. I love my little Tribe! They're great! The ways you cope are great! I love putting on music, reading and writing and doing a project to put me in better moods. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Glad you have your little Tribe!! We all do need others to help us to get through - and other ways to cope! Thank you for reading and sharing!

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  2. I agree that we all need to have our tribe. I'm glad you have found one through this blogging project (I sadly haven't... but I think my faith has a lot to do with that). I do have my close-knit group of stitchy friends, though... and for them, I'm always thankful because they truly help when I'm going through rough patches as I have this year.

    Blessings to you,
    Melissa
    http://www.measi.net/measiblog/

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  3. Melissa - I think wherever we find our Tribe - whomever we have in our lives that help us through our rough patches...that is your tribe and I am thankful that you have them when you need them. And I am assuming your "stitchy" friends are fellow crafters of sorts? Feel free to send a shout out any time you need another perspective or voice in your rough patches...PM on Facebook; or email at london_b@bellsouth.net.

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  4. Having a tribe is so important. The last time I think I had a tribe was all the way back in college. I haven't really had a consistent tribe since then, and it has been difficult. Reading, Writing and Music are also part of my comfort/coping list, I feel most me doing these things.

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    1. Those you connect with through your reading, writing and music could very well be your Tribe. Your family, friends, etc. Thank you for reading and commenting. Hope you DO find your tribe!!

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  5. I'm a Danielle Steele fan too. This is a great list and helpful!

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    1. Great author! I haven't read any of her books lately; have too many on my shelf that I haven't read yet and passed on or took to used book store...reading Nicholas Sparks right now; then going to read the Chronicles of Narnia...thanks to a blogger writing about C. S. Lewis!!

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  6. I love Praise You In The Storm - it is a good reminder that even in our worst trials we can still find a reason to praise God. He is our ever present help in trouble. I loved this post, Barbara - so much helpful information. It is good to have support.

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    1. That song really helped me get through some rough times, and not just dealing with the dementia! We really do need to praise God at ALL times, even through the storm - yet, why is it so hard to DO THAT!? Thanks for your comment!

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Thank you for stopping by to read my post today! I appreciate your reading and commenting - your comments are a welcome encouragement for me to continue one of my favorite things - writing!

You are special to me; and your words help in more ways than I can number...Thank you just isn't enough!