My ongoing pursuit of patience

I'm not sure how many people read blogs these days, but I have been remiss at keeping up with mine. You might say (or think) that my pursuit is over since I've found my dream job of teaching. Oh, contrair! I didn't spell that correctly, so forgive me... Anyhow, I need patience still, if not more so now that I have this job. I need patience to accept that everything can't be perfect with a snap of my fingers- I won't pick up teaching and creating the perfect spelling, reading, writing, math lessons for my students. I have to realize that this takes time. I don't want to fail my students and some times I'm filled with dread that I haven't done enough. Other days, I realize that I'm only one person in this equation of educating a child and that parents/families have to be a part to. I can't do it all. Which frustrates me. Hence my continuing of my pursuit of patience.

Besides wanting to write all that, I wanted to write about another part of my life that needs patience, prayer and a lot of work. I had a bit of an epiphany today, but I will describe that in a bit. First, let me give you a bit of background.

I have a condition called endometriosis. I have had this condition since I was very young. Endometriosis is a condition that many women/girls have, unfortunately. It is a condition where the tissue grows on the outside of the uterus. Webmd seems to explain it better-  http://www.webmd.com/women/endometriosis/endometriosis  I also have a condition (not sure of the specific name for it) where I get or can get violently ill just after starting my menstrual cycle. At 14, I scared the bejeezus out of both my basketball coaches and the school nurse. After being sick for a few hours, I'm fine. It takes a lot out of me, but everything's better with rest. So, I'm a big mess. I've been taking medicines for pain and to "keep the endometriosis at bay" for on and off for 23 years now. I've been sick like I was in high school not too long ago, and I had an ovarian cyst removed along with my body full of endometriosis 8 years ago. 

So why am I telling you all this personal medical history? Well, for a couple reasons. One, this runs in my family- my dad's sister had it and at least one cousin had/has it, as well as her daughter. Two, I hate being on medicines and feel that the medicines are not helping my conditions. I have endometriosis all over again, and I'm in constant discomfort (pain to some, but I've lived with it so long that I'm used to it). I have also gained a great deal of weight. Now, I am not exercising like I should, and if have been under stress from moving and having a new job and all, but I should not look and feel the way I do. I eat well- salads and whole grains and meats when I can. I don't eat a lot of processed foods, but I still am gross. I need to do something about this, starting today. 

I've been trying to cut out refined sugars, but I know there are natural sugars in my V8 juice. I've cut back on carbs and gluten, but still have small amounts weekly. I KNOW I need to make a HUGE effort to exercise DAILY, especially now that the weather is nicer. I have to make time... I am not taking any more medicines for my conditions (other than Advil for pain). I'm going to see if that has any affect (or effect? Gosh, I'm a teacher and should know this!) on my weight loss or gain. I am also going to make an appointment right away with my doctor to get some professional insight into facing this CRAP. I know that whatever is happening, is effecting (I know that's the correct use) not just my weight, but my overall health and well being- physically and emotionally.

So my pursuit is not over. My new and ongoing pursuit of patience is for my overall health. I just don't want to feel this way anymore.

As I'm sitting here pecking at the iPad keyboard, I'm listening to the beautiful sound of spring peepers. Oh how I love that sound.