I'm curious to find out how many have actually had them. I've had a few over the years, but 1 very recently.

I was critically ill for a few days in the hospital, and progressively got a little better each day. I was in there for about 10 days total. Since being home it's been difficult and trying at times, but I get better each day.

The first 3 days in the hospital (or about that I'm gathering) seemed touch and go for me. I remember closing my eyes on that first day and everything went black. Maybe it was the pain that I was in that made it happen, maybe not but I just wanted to go. I saw my entire life play out like a movie and I began to let go of it all. I don't know how long it was, nor can I even try to put a time frame on any of it. What I do know is that there was a voice when I decided to let go that told me to hang on, it's not time yet and that I would get through it. I just needed to hang on a little longer and I would be ok.

It's changed me in a lot of ways and I can't even begin to put most of it into words. I'm slowly beginning to make changes in my life in order to do the things that I need to do as well as start taking action on the things I need to take action on. It's going to be a process for me and I know it's going to take some time.

Anyone else?

Well I will let you know whether this works or not, but it was highly recommended to me by a dear friend. If you go to the Upledger Institute website, find a practitioner in your area with CST certified as well as credentialed in nervous system, neruomuscular therapy, Brain curriculum and self corrective mechanisms. Healing from the core can also be excellent from what I understand.

I have MS myself. They started diagnosing me in May of 2000 when I had an episode of optic neuritis in my left eye. Went on Avonex and Copaxone and was taken off of them. I was officially diagnosed with it in January of 2006. They believe that I should have been diagnosed as early as 1990. I just finished 4 treatments with Novantrone and it nearly killed me.

Having many years experience in the medical field myself, after this last infusion of the Novantrone and them having to give me an injection in order to stimulate the bone marrow because my white cells didn't come back like they should have the previous time, then 3 days later they put me on steroids because I had major side effects from the injection hence they killed my immune system twice in less than a week. I ended up with meningitis and was in the hospital for about 10 days, and I came real close to death. I've gone back to my old ways of practice...I refuse to put anything into my body that isn't supposed to be there.

The drug companies are getting richer by coming up with this and that wonder drug to fix things, yet there are more health problems than ever. There's something wrong with that picture, don't you think!?! I stay on a pretty healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads and pastas, seafood and very little to no meats. I stay away from margerine or imitation butters, fats and oils. In place of these I use real butter, olive, peanut, sesame and safflower oils. I do exercise and try to stay as active as possible.

One of my favorite mantras that I've learned with this disease is...I have MS, but it doesn't have me! As long as I keep myself physically, mentally and spiritually fit, the better I am.

Also check out a book by Ann Boroch. She does have a website, and I plan on purchasing the book this weekend.

I hope this helps a bit

Don't take life too seriously...It's not permanent!


I've been a practicing Pagan since the age of 12. Yes I have studied religions over the years, it keeps my brain going and makes me more knowledgeable...It may eventually give me some wisdom as well


I've read this whole thread and no one actually answered JB truthfully about being a Pagan...Maybe I can clarify a few things that have been muddied over the years.

From the Pagan Federation International

"Paganism is a spiritual way of life which has its roots in the ancient nature religions of the world. It is principally rooted in the old religions of Europe, though some adherents also find great worth in the indigenous beliefs of other countries. Such belief in the sacredness of all things can be found world-wide. Pagans see this as their heritage, and retain the beliefs and values of their ancestors in forms adapted to suit modern life. We celebrate the sanctity of Nature, revering the Divine in all things; the vast, unknowable spirit that runs through the universe, both seen and unseen."

To expand on this a bit...

Being a Pagan is a spiritual path that is followed. It is only in recent times that it has been an accepted form of "religion". What many don't realize is that it has never been a religion, but that label was put on it because it made it more palpable and viable for people. The term Pagan is all encompassing of various spiritual paths, an umbrella; just as Christianity is an umbrella for the various types of Christian based churches.

Examples:

Pagan includes: Druid, Wicca, Egyptian, Greek, Shamanism, Magical Traditions, Eastern, Native American, Norse Heathen, Celtic, Roman, Santeria, Witchcraft and other Earth Centered and Nature Based Spirituality.

Christianity includes: Roman Catholic, Southern Baptist, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Pentecostal, Methodist, United Church members, even a small minority of Unitarian Universalists.

Just as Pagan Gods and Goddesses have various names depending on the path as well as the language, Christianity has various names for God and Jesus.

One of these days people will stop defining themselves by their religious and spiritual practices, and just be who they are without desiring a label to be put on them

I hope this helps a bit more JB

I believe it's a book of stories. All of which may or may not have morals attached to them.

Have I read it? Yup

Why did I read it? First because I had to and then it became more curiosity on how it would end

I much prefer reality to fantasy though.

Look leave my imaginary friends out of this...Besides they don't like when they're called imaginary, they prefer to be called Gnomies

Very true...You sure as h@ll won't see me sticking my neck out there in public Well online it's ok

Ready, willing and able...Create what you want...Take what you need and leave the rest...Don't allow your past to control your present...Yes?

I love Rule 62


To thine own self be true and free from the bondage of self

Good Morning Karma

Good morning...Even though I should be going to sleep

Have a fabulous day!

Incredible...I was almost speechless

The sky is filled with colors so bright

From blues to pinks to yellows and clouds of white

Picture perfect most would say

Who would think that I would dread a new day

As the sun rises into the sky

The deep pink glows and you wonder why

Where are the answers that we need

Could it be the warnings we fail to heed

The sun glitters across the water to welcome this day

Serenity and peace it brings some would say

Yet I feel so empty and old

I don't feel the suns warmth, only the cold

Where did it all go wrong

What do you do to make it right

I cant have another sleepless night

I woke up this morning to the warmth of the sun

No hangover to cure, I can enjoy it and have fun

With my windows open wide I hear the birds sing

I never realized the happiness this would bring

Children outside laughing and playing

The trees ever so slightly swaying

The bright colors of the flowers and grass

Things I would have missed if I hadn't fell on my ass

I made mistakes and now a chance to make a new start

No regrets for making them, I played the lead part

I am who I am and exactly where I'm supposed to be

Why did I try to be anything else except me?

Taking baby steps along the way

I can now accept life just for today

Live today like its your last

Don't live in the past

Miracles happen, wishes do come true

These are the things that happen when you let yourself be you

I was thinking about this a little more and the thought occurred to me that I always try to keep balance between my mind body and soul.

Does anyone else do this as well? Or am I just another oddball?

One word sums it up for me...Experiences

I am a teacher and a student in the school of life. I stay as an open book either ready to learn or ready to be read,

Beautiful

Thank you guys

Are we real or just a fantasy
Do we exist to be or be to exist
Can you feel me
Do your thoughts persist

I heard the raven calling
He has answered my questions
I grew tired of falling
Now there's more directions

If you could see what I see
If you could feel what I feel
Do you hear me
Is it truly real

Losing myself in your eyes
Captured by your soul
It makes my hopes rise
Nothing is in control

I lie awake sleepless
I want to steal away
Everything seems timeless
It all sounds so cliché

We've watched
We've waited
We matched
We've anticipated

I want to feel the seas breeze
I want to walk under the stars
I want to sit under the trees
The world is ours

I have been since August 1, 2002

I used to get told that I'd get plenty of sleep when I'm dead and that sleep was highly over-rated.

Besides if I went to sleep I might miss something

Yeah...We used to light it at the bar when we were bored and there was nothing better to do