Dear 2012

Dear 2012,

I have been trying to think of the Scripture that best sums up this year.  While I am tempted to use John 11:35 ("Jesus Wept") because of how frequently I wept over Migraines, struggles, loss and the other difficult realities of life, I am convinced that the better verse to sum up my year is found in Romans 5: 1-4 (The Message)

     "We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.

     We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

Yes, while at first glance, 2012 appears to be one that was filled up with pain, I can confidently say that when I look at my year in total that it is filled with hope and joy.  Any pain that I experienced during this year, God Himself has been able to use to produce growth in me.  As the NIV says, "suffering produce(d) perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And Hope never puts us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

Where you would have like to have seen me write that suffering produced pain, and pain produced anxiety; and anxiety, despair, instead I can confidently say that I am grateful for each experience which has been allowed me during 2012.  It is those experiences and my ability to come through them which have taught me that there is always hope and that even the hardest things that occur in my life can bring great good.

Yes, I had unmanageable Migraines, but because of them, I have made some life long friends who I would have never met otherwise.  Because of them, I have a doctor who I trust and value.  Because of them, I have had to travel to see that doctor and have, as a result, gotten to know my dear first cousin and his family.  Because of the trials of this year, I have had the good fortune of learning that joy is something that is not dependent on my circumstances but upon my relationship with God Himself.  Because of my Migraines, I have had time to listen to beautiful music, read good books, consider the wonder of friendship, to bathe in the blessing of family, and to try to serve others who are suffering.  

Because of the trials of this year, I have re-realized the unimaginable treasure of people I love and the time I get to spend with them.  Because of this year, I know that every day is a gift. Because of this year, I can face 2013 without fear because I have seen the proof of the good that can come out of difficulty and pain.

So, 2012, thank you.  Thank you for each day and each experience.  Thank you for bringing me to 2013 where I expect to continue to fill up that container mentioned in Romans 5 with even more blessings, more hope, more victory and more certainty that God does have a good plan for me.  Will there be pain in 2013?  Yes, it's inevitable, and I don't look forward to it.  I cannot minimize the severity of some of the physical and emotional pain that I am bound to experience this year any more than I can minimize that of the past year.  

However, I survived.  

And I will continue to survive,

 and survival will be laced with gratitude and hope 

for I know that even in the most difficult circumstances,

 good can and will grow. I stand in alert expectancy - seeking what God has to reveal to me during this year.  And for that, I will give all glory and praise to Him!

Why My Dogs Make All the Difference!

The topic of this month's Migraine and Headache Blog Carnival is "Pets as Therapy: How our pets help us cope with migraine and headache disorders."  Ironically, I missed the yesterday's submission deadline because I was exhausted after spending the day at a continuing education seminar on "Animal Assisted Therapeutic Interventions."  I have long been a believer in the therapeutic properties of pets, and Marlie, my standard poodle, use to go to work to "help" me with my Play Therapy practice every day before I went on disability.  There were many days when I believe she provided much more therapeutic benefit to my clients than I did!  Hanging in my office was a sign that read:

Marlie and Milo are essential to my physical and psychological well-being.  They are my constant companions who are ever sensitive to how I feel.  They are content to lie with me when I feel badly and to entertain me when I am bored.  They cause me to laugh, to feel loved unconditionally, to feel less lonely and also meet my need for physical touch.  They are often the reason I get up in the morning because I know I need to feed and care for them.  When I am at my worst, they cuddle with me, providing me with warmth and love. 

But why take my word for it when there is a plethora of research which supports the fact that pets are not only great companions but are also psychologically and physiologically beneficial whether you suffer from a chronic disease or not.  My friend Rise Van Fleet has a website entitled the Playful Pooch which focuses on the benefits of animal assisted play therapy.  Press the word DOG to go to her site.  Some of the results of Dr. Van Fleet's research has indicated the following conclusions about using dogs in therapy with children; however, her conclusions and those of other researchers show that this information can also be extrapolated to adults. (To read her complete article, please go HERE.)  

1. "Animals help (people) overcome their fears and reduce their defenses."

2. "They help (people) feel accepted. The animals show affection, interest and attention that (people) need.... They provide comfort."

3. "They give (people) experiences of joy, playfulness and fun.  They invite laughter and release."

4. "They empower people and build their confidence."

5. They provide sensory benefits, including touch/tactile experiences and physical affection that are not (always available or possible).

6. "They help (people) relax and calm down, reducing some of the anxieties.  They provide comfort."

Other ways in which pets benefit our health include:

1. Pets are natural mood enhancers and can actually help with the production of Serotonin and Oxytocin.  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone which plays a significant role in mood regulation and is also associated with sleep, learning, Migraine and anxiety.  Oxytocin, also a hormone, is strongly tied to trust.  Medical research shows that Oxytocin is instrumental in human bonding and that Oxytocin levels go up when one is hugged or kissed (or pets their pet).

2. Petting an animal lowers blood pressure.

3. Pet owners have a lower risk of dying from heart disease.

4. Pets aid in increased mobility and activity because of our responsibility and desire to feed them, care for them and walk them.

5. Pets decrease the sense of isolation or being alone.

6. Petting an animal or lying next to it increases endorphins.  Endorphins are hormones which can increase a sense of calm, satisfaction and joy and can actually reduce the sensation of pain.  Additionally, cuddling up with a pet provides warmth which can be of benefit for aching body parts.

7. Pets increase our perceived ability to cope. (Siegel, 1999, Carmack, 1999)

8. Pets aid in lowering triglyceride and cholesterol levels. (Anderson, 1992)

9. Pets fulfill many of the same support functions as humans. (Melson, 1998)

After reading this, how can you NOT afford to have a warm, fuzzy friend!?!