Mindset is everything. The pictures below were taken five days apart at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in North Carolina. The top picture is from when I had just arrived to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It was early October and I was excited about spending some down time at the beach. I had never been to this area before and was eager to explore! Jockey's Ridge is an impressive place with colossal sand dunes (the tallest of which are 80 to 100 feet tall!). I visited the park a couple of times during the week. There was a very nice handicapped accessible ramp and overlook (first picture) but I found myself longing to climb those immense dunes. Given that I have Fibromyalgia (*see definition below), I knew this wasn’t an option but, instead of moping about it and dwelling on the things I couldn't do, I was determined to find a way to see more of this beautiful space. The last picture was taken the morning after I found out my beloved 97 year old father was dying of leukemia. I was already planning to leave that day but, instead of heading home, I would be going to my dad's house for a few days until my family and I could arrange our caretaking schedules. The day before I left (and before I found out about my dad's diagnosis), I had called the park to see if they had any options for people with mobility issues. I was thrilled to discover that they have an all-terrain-vehicle (driven by a staff member) that takes you up to the very top of the highest dune as well some other notable places within the park. It was my lucky day because the park manager said she could actually take me first thing in the morning! Those appointments are usually booked weeks and even months in advance, so I felt very lucky. Plus this was a FREE service! I had a bit of a restless night that night with my dad weighing heavily on my mind. I did my best to focus on the love and memories we shared and this helped me shift my mindset a bit. The next morning as I prepared to check out and head to Jockey’s Ridge before making my way to dad's, I watched the sunrise and thought of all the beautiful beach sunrises he and I had shared over the years. Whenever we were at the beach, we NEVER missed a sunrise. Tears fell down my face as I thought of him. These weren’t tears of sadness but of joy and gratitude… not just for my dad but also for this moment, this sunrise, this beach, my family, and my life. A few hours later, I headed to the park for the opportunity to see those immense dunes up close and personal via the ATV (see middle picture). The final picture shows the sheer joy of the whole experience and, despite being unable to climb it myself, I felt a true sense of accomplishment. It was euphoric being at the top of this incredible place. For my fellow chronic illness warriors, please know that I understand all too well the daily challenges and that some days are better than others. I am happy that, on this day, I was able to have this experience. On the days when I am in intense pain, feeling fatigued, and having brain fog issues, I do my best to practice self-compassion and self-care. Choosing a mindset of gratitude, joy, and happiness is a practice that can be learned and cultivated. Learn more by checking out my “Mindset Reset” package today! Special offer of 25% off now! https://www.navigatingthisjourney.com/plans-pricing
*Fibromyalgia affects the central nervous system and is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies pain sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process pain and non-pain signals.
For more info on Jockey's Ridge State Park - click on the link below:
Comments