For the last 4 years I have struggled with hypothyroidism. I have constantly been looking for the 'magic' cure. I have held the belief that somewhere out there, there is a way to return me to my old self. But all the different avenues I have taken, I have still yet to find my cure. I still have hypothyroidism.
I have come to a point where I need to ask myself, "what if I can't be cured?" what if, no matter how bad I want it, I can never go back. What if this is as good as it gets and I have to move forward?
I have met people along the way who I never knew struggled with their health. They suffer quietly and continue on with a smile on their face. How I admire those people. I love that they keep moving forward and play with the hand that is dealt them.
It has made me realize that I might need to refocus my efforts on being healed versus being cured. I read an article recently that spelled out the difference.
Being healed means,
- Accepting myself as I am, even loving myself as I am, with whatever limitations I currently have, without giving up hope that I can improve - in both mind and body
- Refusing to live in the past, and refusing to worry about the future, but instead, living for now, enjoying this time, now
- Learning how to value myself for what's really important, my spirit, my kindness, how I live my life, instead of focusing on the superficialities such as weight changes, thinning hair, a sick thyroid, not having enough energy to be everything to everyone, and other imperfections
- And, above all, finding within the cloud of disease, the silver lining, the positive effects that thyroid disease has had on my life. If you think about it, there have to be some good things that have come from it. Empathy for others. Compassion at a deeper level. Dear friends I have had to rely on. It's helped me focus on my family and things that are important.
Ups and downs in health may always be there throughout our life, but there's one thing that no pill or endocrinologist or herb can change, and that's how we choose to live our lives, and whether our health controls us, or vice versa.
I used Golden Grahams for the shingles.
I made the cat out of gum paste and painted him with food coloring.
The storekeeper is outlined in chocolate and I used the flood technique to color him in. The bean and egg sign on the windows I made out of royal icing and let it dry, then stuck them up. The veggies were the most fun. I used colored fondant and for the stems, I used cilantro from my garden. The potatoes are gum paste rolled in cocoa powder.
The billboard on the side I used the flood technique again and piped the Lee sign in chocolate. I had a really hard time trying to pipe the rest of the words so I gave up and wrote it with an edible marker.
Now you all know, I have a problem.
