Sunday, March 1, 2015

New York

Merry meet Friends,
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!

"Simply be yourself.  Look past the fanfare and drama to what is enduring.  Take time to clarify what is important to you and let non essentials fall away." ~ InnerLinks, Angel of March is Simplicity

Stress is defined as: a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.  There are the day to day stresses of life and there are the stresses which can lead to heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure.  Some stress will cause anxiety or panic attacks.  Most of the time we don't realize that we are under an unusual amount of stress or we feel as if we can handle whatever comes our way.  This is why it is important to "let non essentials fall away".  

On Tuesday the 24th, I had an anxiety attack.  At least, I believe that's what it was.  I received a text from Sprint about my cell bill. The amount was double what I believed it to be and had budgeted. For some reason I began to panic when I saw the text.  I have no idea why, because I have been a customer for 14 years.  I know that customer service will and has worked with me regardless of amount.  I called Sprint and sure enough, it was a mistake.  The bill for March had been added to the current bill.  They apologized and I rang off.  I remember having the thought that I must be more stressed than I thought because I am never upset about a bill with Sprint.

Shortly afterwards I felt a pain in  my left arm below my shoulder and a tingling sensation in my jaw.  I have felt both of these before so I didn't become too alarmed.  Then I started to feel hunger pangs but the nauseating type.  I was surprised because I had eaten one and one half hours before the hunger.  I went to the kitchen to get a piece of fruit when the thought occurred to me that perhaps it wasn't hunger but indeed nausea.  I took an aspirin just in case it was my heart and in a matter of seconds, I felt as if I couldn't breathe.  I was at the apartment alone and I don't know anyone in the building but I headed to the door to get help.  Instead I dialed 911 and told the operator what I was experiencing.  She asked me to remain on the phone while she got paramedics on the line.  I began to breathe a little easier.  The paramedics asked me the address.  I told them that I would need to buzz them in but they said it was ok and to leave the front door unlocked.

Shortly thereafter, firemen arrived.  They immediately placed an oxygen mask on me.  One of the firemen said that I could have been dehydrated because it was extremely hot in the apartment. This radiator either turns off or on, there is no high or low.  When it's hot in here, it feels as if the thermostat is set on hell.  The firemen questioned me about illnesses and diets.  I drink a Yogi detox tea daily and told them.  They suggested that I stop for awhile because the herbs are powerful, and I have.  The paramedics arrived shortly afterwards and took the oxygen mask off.  They said they could monitor my breathing better without it.  

Jason was on the phone the entire time.  I began to feel better and chose not to go to the hospital.  Jason told me he was coming home even though I told him it was unnecessary.  I'm glad he did because I was scared. After the paramedics left, the police came to check to see if the person had gone to the ER.  I told them that it was me and no I hadn't.  The policeman said I should still go because by the time symptoms appear it's too late.  Of course that put me in panic mode again.  Normally, I pray when things like that happen but for some reason this time I panicked.  As in the above quote, I am assessing what is essential in my life and eliminating the rest. Jason stayed with me on Wednesday as well and worked from home.

On Thursday I decided fresh air was needed and walked to the store.  I fixed a chicken Brunswick Stew for dinner.  On Friday I tool the subway to the Harlem/African Mart on 116th Street.  I love seeing all of the items and listening to the barter between merchants and customers.  On Saturday I took the train to Sylvia's on 127th for chicken and waffles.  I only ate the waffle;  the chicken was too large and I have a thing about non organic chicken.  I don't know why I even ordered it.  I walked along 125th street and looked into a few of the shops.  It was cold and I decided to head back to the apartment.  Saturday, I went to see my grandson play basketball with his league.  My, that child is tall!  He's like his father.  He is a very good re bounder.  He scored some points and his team did win. Jason and I came back to the apartment and had dinner.  We spent the rest of the evening relaxing.

Tomorrow, if the weather permits, I will meet my friend Sonya in Central Harlem for lunch or "chat and chew" as my friend Venetia says.  I'm looking forward to the time together.   I plan to take it easy and not let the stresses of life, daily or otherwise, overtake me. I have work to do and I plan to be here to get it done.  I advise everyone to do the same.  Let go of the fanfare and drama.  Find out what is truly important in your life and go with the flow.

Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle










3 comments:

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  2. You have the right idea - just take a deep breath and relax. Dr. Oz did 2 segments last week on anxiety vs heart attacks and how to tell the difference.

    I am reminded of the poem by Robert Frost titled Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. It is said that Frost is known for creating simple poems, that for me, can be likened to Scripture in that it is open to interpretation on many different levels by the reader. For the purpose of the blog, the poem is about a man riding on horseback through the woods at night and gets lost and confused but he knows that he must find his way out. It concludes with "... and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."

    Mickie, you do indeed still have work to do and you must be here to get it done so like the rider in Frost's poem - you too have miles to go before you sleep.

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  3. Thank you Debbie. I like that poem by Frost as well. I would liked to have seen that segment with Dr. Oz

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