Emerging Courageous Newsletter 22
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor
May 30, 2003

Overdoing it again! by Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel

At this time of year when the gardens need readied for planting, I tend to overdo. I want to get the garden ready, plant the bulbs, put out seeds and vegetable plants and some annual flowers. But I do it all in one day and then suffer the consequences. Each year, I decide I will pace myself and slow down a little, but...the sequence keeps repeating. This year we had rain for a month and the first sunny day, I asked my neighbor to break up the soil so I could plant some dahlia bulbs and tomato and pepper plants. After four hours of constant work, I was pleased with my accomplishments.

However, the next day I couldn't move or get out of bed. It was Sunday and since I sing in the choir, I'm always there...unless I'm sick. Well, I hurt so badly, I couldn't even move to call someone and tell them why I wouldn't be there....I just kept lying in the bed.  It seemed to feel better later in the day and the next few days, but after swimming in the heated pool at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, I was struggling. By that night, I looked in my cupboard for pain medicine and found some from last year and the years previous. I was debating whether to go to the emergency room as I was hurting so badly. Finding little relief that night, I finally went to the doctor the next day and got more prescriptions for pain, muscle relaxants, and sleep.

Well, many of my friends keep telling me..."from my struggles, I will learn a lesson". Well, I thought I had learned that lesson last year...and the year before....and....Well, as you can see, I'm a slow learner. I have a hard time dealing with severe pain and I certainly have learned to empathize with others who are suffering. But, whether next year comes, and I remember to pace myself, only time will tell. In the mean time, keep me in your prayers. I don't like to be laid up and not able to do anything. I'm ready to get back to action. But, I will have to be patient and relax a while. And, I will try to listen to my body and slow down. Marilyn

*Mailbag:
Received an email from Tony DeLiso this morning:
I'm very sorry to hear that you are still in a lot of pain Marilyn. I hope it passes quickly.
Let me send you this blessing: "May all of the cells in your body receive God's love and
healing energy." Tony

*Thanks Tony, I can use God's blessing anytime and will repeat the blessing to remind myself of  His constant care. Thank you for your care and compassion. Lovingly, Marilyn

Site Update:
Featured Stories added May 22 to Emerging Courageous Online Magazine
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/newstories.htm
Haven't had a chance to update poetry yet. So keep sending in your writings.

Inspirational Quotes on Courage:
I have taken several breaks so as not to sit too long at the computer. Trying  to read my mail today and catch up on the news. Therefore,  I would like to share with you some quotes about courage that I received this week. They helped boost my spirits so I hope they will inspire you as well. MP

* "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your power. Pray for power equal to your tasks. The the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be the miracle." Phillip Brooks sent in by [email protected]

* "Do what your heart tells you. Do not be afraid to pursue that which cannot be seen. Faith is the bridge with which to cross. Courage is the first step." author unknown 
sent by [email protected]

* It is not what happens that determines the major part of your future. What happens, happens to us all...It is what you do about what happens that counts." Jim Rohn [email protected]

* Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave." Mary Tyler Moore [email protected]

*We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction." General Douglas MacAuthor
[email protected]

*In the long run, men only hit what they aim at. Therefore, they had better aim at something high." Henry David Thoreau [email protected]

***Editors Note: many of these are inspirational newsletters which you may subscribe to through their group mail. Check them out. MP

*****Parting message sent from Sandra Hemstock: "Always remember to smile, for a smile will open a window in your soul and let the sunshine in." [email protected]

Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel
[email protected]
www.emergingcourageous.com