I had a 4-star day

(I realize I have posted three items over the weekend...please don't be overwhelmed)

As strange as it may seem to some, I have a rating system for how my day goes.  A lot of it is based on my internal mood and, of course, much of the rest is based on external circumstances.  I plot my days on a scale of 1 to 5 stars with 1 being the worst of days and 5 being the greatest.  Over time, I have scored several 1-star days, but most days are 2-star or 3-star days.  I occasionally have a 4-star day and I have never recorded a 5-star day.

Charting my days in this way has helped me see patterns in my days and weeks and over the course of time. What I have come to see is that my 1-star days are usually spent in isolation while my better days are spent with others.  Today, I recorded my first 4-star day in quite a while.  I enjoyed getting up extra early this morning and looking over my class and sermon notes and being able to be confident of the material that I wanted to present today.  I enjoyed my ride to church with mom and then the time spent in worship and study.  Teaching Bible class is one of my favorite things to do and today both classes went well.  I spent the afternoon with many members of my family, but also was able to relax and listen to some music and read more of the Bible.  Despite the rain, the ride home was enjoyable and dinner was great.  I was able to come home and help a friend with a project and write some cards to send off tomorrow.  I am tired which means (usually) that I will sleep well.

Everyone has to decide how best to spend his or her own time.  I have found that building both structure and down time into each day is important.  Sundays are usually my best day of the week because I am doing something for others and feel useful.  The more I discipline myself to get into a pattern of sleep, study, activity and socializing the better I feel.  If I am occupied my internal strife is not at the forefront of my mind and I can temporarily escape the roller coaster of my moods.

Today, I had a 4-star day.  Tomorrow is a new day with both joy and trouble of its own.  It may turn out to be a 1-star day or it could even be my first 5-star day.  I realize that the majority share of how it turns out depends on my approach, attitude and spirit.  Your days are no different.  It is quite often not what happens to us, but how we approach what happens to us that makes the most difference in our quality of life.

Wishing you many 4-star (or even 5-star) days to come...

Prayers for Pat

As someone who has met Coach Summitt on a couple of occassions and who shares mutual friends, I was upset to hear of Pat's illness.  She says it plainly and honestly like she always has.  Our prayers are with Pat, her family, her friends and Volunteer Nation.

http://espn.go.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/6888321/tennessee-lady-vols-pat-summitt-early-onset-dementia

Long time...

It's been over two months since I shared a blog entry. 
Honestly, I have felt like I didn't have much to share.  My health is about the same and my spiritual life continues to be a roller coaster.  My finances are a bit strained due to taxes and unforeseen car repairs.  Life has been fairly day-to-day without anything extraordinary happening.
I am trying to learn to be content in the life I have.  For several years I have been waiting for things to "get back to normal" so I could really start my life.  Through talking with my therapist I have begun to realize that I am already living my life.  I have always wanted to do great things, and I have come to realize that the great things I am able to do are not as grand as I had always dreamed.  For now and maybe for the rest of my life, I simply need to do the best I can to be a good son, brother, citizen, minister and follower of Christ.  I am learning (or at least attempting to learn) contentment in my current circumstances.  I have never been content with anything and so this is difficult for me.
One day at a time.

thanks all

So many of you have been concerned about my recent health challenges...so here is a brief update.

• Still in limbo healthwise.  Physical and mental health (as opposite...sort of) sides of a coin are linked and at this point; poorly linked. 
• Sleep is limited in both quanity and quality and so I am forgetful, irritable and no fun.  I apologize for such.
• Side effects from medications are sometimes worse than the cures.  Dealing with such has been difficult.

Thanks for all the cards, prayers and all such things.  I don't feel well and I appreciate those of you who can understand and appreciate that and not expect too much, but also still include me in some activities.  My doctors (all like 5 of them) are great folks and I appreciate their efforts as well.

Love you guys,
-Will

"To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, THIS is to have succeeded."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Transcendentalist essayist and Unitarian minister

When we are sick...

I have spent a great deal of the last few years dealing with sickness in my life.  I have personally been affected by kidney stones, bipolar disorder, digestive problems and other maladies.  Perhaps more disheartening, I have seen loved ones affected by the horrors of disease.  Four years ago, I lost a dear great-grandmother to Alzheimer's Disease.  My former college roommate is currently locked in a battle with a severe central nervous system disorder that has taken away his ability to drive and walk without assistance.  I have watched another grandparent be confined to a nursing home and face close calls with death.  My dad was in the hospital for surgery just this week.  I have preached ten funerals in the last few years ranging from cancer deaths to suicides.  Sickness is everywhere around us.

Some people look around and blame God for the ills and illnesses of the world.  After all, they surmise, if God is all powerful, could He not prevent such horrible things from happening in our world?  I have no doubt that God could in fact step in and save us from sickness, disease, depression and death.  In fact, dear reader, I know that one day He will.  If we faced not trials here, what would the promises of Revelation 21:1-4 mean to us?  The promise of no sickness, no pain, no death?  If we had not been forged in this crucible of suffering for this briefest of moments in eternity, how could we ever hope to appreciate the lack of pain in the hereafter?  God is faithful and knows why each trial and trouble is brought into our lives.  I may not know, you may not know, but He does.  Ultimately, He will make all things right and good in His time and in accordance with His ultimate will.

Praising Him in the storms of life,
-Will

Update

Dad is doing fair after surgery to remove the abscess from his abdomen.  It was basically a balloon of infection pressing against his colon.  Fortunately, it was not a mass in the colon itself which is good.  Some of the infection did seep into his body, so he is on powerful antibiotics for the next few days.  He is in the hospital in Jackson, but if you know my dad, he doesn't really want company or a fuss.  If you want to send a card, send it to Jack Norrid, 617 East Park Street, Alamo, TN 38001, as he should be home by Friday.

My health issues continue as well.  I am still vomiting daily and no one seems to understand why.  This is, of course, affecting my medications and my medications are affecting the vomiting.  Kinda a chicken or the egg thing.

We appreciate your prayers and thank you all for your acts of kindness.

Hoping for a easier next couple of days,
-Will

P.S.  Thanks to Roe Nell, Sr. for the ride to Nashville and for cleaning up after I got sick all in the car...

Wait or Weight?

For the last several years, due largely to the medications I take, I have gained weight.  A LOT of weight.  I was, just four years ago, a clean-cut (if not gaunt) 165 lbs.  Today, I have added almost 100 lbs. to that skinny frame.  My mind is more clear than it was then, but my body is a bit of a wasteland.  It is not only the weight gain that bothers me; it is the constant commenting on it by others.  Most of it is meant in fun, of course, but I am actually quite self-conscious about it.  Most people don't know the medical side of it; they just see the physical result.  I do realize that I could do many things to improve my situation.  Diet, exercise and a more active lifestyle would all do a great deal of good.  The only downside to those solutions is that each day is still a struggle to have the energy to simply get up, shower, dress and do the required business of the day.  I may seem better (I am not in the hospital, I am not having hallucinations, I am not self-harming, etc.), but I am still not well.  I am improving, but I am cautious about any dramatic changes in lifestyle.  I would love to lose weight, but I much prefer having a stable mind and if that packs on the pounds due to the medications, I'll take it.

blessings,
-Will

Recovering at home

Hey guys!  Thanks for all the prayers during my procedure this morning.  Got a fairly good report.  In fact, we really didn't learn anything new except that I am still having ulcers and a hard time swallowing/keeping food down.  I appreciate your kindness in praying for me and my family during this health challenge.

I am about to do some serious napping as the anesthesia doesn't wear off completely for about 24 hours and it is dangerous to TUI (Type Under the Influence).   :)

Hope you have a blessed day,
-Will

bleh...

Tomorrow, I am undergoing an endoscopy of my upper digestive regions.  These are not fun, but hopefully the M.D.s will find out what has caused all my recent health issues with this test.  I'll post in post-op and let you all know how things are going.

thanks for your prayers about this,
-Will

P.S.  Due to this procedure, I will not be teaching my midweek Bible study at Alamo this week.  We will resume our study at the Alamo church of Christ following next week's summer series with Bro. Ken Bradford.  My next time to teach at Alamo will be July 28, 2010.

Dad

My dad has been sick for almost a week and the professionals seemed stumped as what is exactly wrong with him.  He has been dehydrated and had a wide variety of other health problems in the last week or so.  He is at the doctor's office currently and may have to seek further treatment via hospital or specialist.  So, as you pray today, pray for Jack.

Thanks and blessings,
-Will