Pets for Comfort & Hope

Pets for Comfort and Hope: If you have pets that help you keep hoping, tell us about them. If not, tell us about something else that helps you keep hoping.

Ah, pets! I've written about how pets have helped me cope with Migraine: My Shadow & My Honey Bee. Pets give you someone to take care of, while simultaneously helping take care of you. They're there during the ups and downs. They're a great source of love, comfort, hope, and joy.

We've now had Honey Bee for almost 3 years. She's been even more of a blessing than I ever could've imagined. She continues to grow more confident in herself and us, and it's great to see her personality blossom and shine.

Honey is home with me every day. Even if we're not actively interacting with each other, we know that the other is there. It's so comforting. We both value our own space, but also enjoy snuggle time together. She can be such a peaceful and calming presence.

Honey has had a difficult past. But, she reminds me that great things can come from difficult times. She has overcome obstacles, and she inspires me to keep going.

© 2015 Jamie V.

I love seeing Honey happy. Making sure she is taken care of and has what she needs is a top priority for me. We have a doggie door, which allows her to have more independence because she can go outside anytime it's open. She seems much happier to be able to come in and out, as she desires... rather than only when Mom feels up to getting her outside.

She has such a loving and silly personality. She loves snuggling with pillows, playing with toys, eating tasty treats, and just hanging out with us.

Pets have such power to change our moods, help keep life in perspective, and feel unconditionally loved. When I see Honey so excited over something little, it makes me smile. Her kisses are healing. And, I know that I can face the hardships in my life and come out on top.

The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM) Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association.

Activities That Build Hope

Activities / Hobbies That Build Hope: What activities or hobbies do you participate in that help build hope for you?

I don't have very many hobbies anymore. It's difficult enough to deal with daily life and things that need to be done to maintain even the basic necessities. However, I do think that meaningful activities and hobbies are very important for everyone to have and cultivate. Such activities can provide distraction from pain, a sense of meaning and accomplishment, and self-discovery.

There are definitely times that I go too long without participating in activities and hobbies that I enjoy. This can be due to many reasons, including: physical limitations or inability, and lack of interest. But, I'm trying to get back into doing things that are enjoyable because it helps to create a more balanced life.

I find that the mere act of taking part in an activity or hobby gives me hope. Just a few of the activities / hobbies I enjoy are: cooking with (and, when I'm able, for) my husband, going on walks with my husband, reading, writing, traveling, scrapbooking.

Cooking allows me to escape the stress and pressure of other things going on. I can just focus on the task at hand. It's a way for us to make healthy options, create something good, try new things, and perhaps allows me to feel like I have some level of control over something.

Walking allows me to be in the moment and enjoy time with my husband and our dog. I often can't go on long walks, but even a walk around the block is enjoyable with those two.

Reading allows me to temporarily escape the reality of pain and to learn / expand my knowledge. I have difficulty reading much with my migraines. When I'm able to read even short things, though, it gives me hope that I'll be able to read (or adapt and listen) more in the future.

Writing allows me to express myself. I'm able to share my own experiences, and hopefully help others know that they're not alone. Being able to write gives me hope that I can make a difference in this world.

Traveling allows me to experience new places, people, things. My long-standing wanderlust has been fueled by a semester abroad. I just love to travel... and  then scrapbook the many, many photos I take (I suppose I should add photography as one of my enjoyable activities / hobbies).

Scrapbooking allows me to express myself creatively and cherish some of the moments I've lived. Re-living memories, as I'm scrapbooking, is so great to me. It reminds me that even though I struggle so much with migraines, I'm still living life, enjoying moments, and making memories.

The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM) Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association.

Song of Hope

Song of Hope: What song gives you hope to hold, despite your Migraines or Headaches and how?

I love music. It can express things that it's otherwise difficult to express.

I've posted a lot about different songs that provide me comfort, inspiration, hope, etc. If you'd like to take a look and hear more, I actually have a blog post specifically for songs of hope: My Playlist: Songs of Hope.

One of the songs on that playlist is the one that I feel most compelled to share today: Stronger by Mandisa.

This song is such a strong reminder that God loves me unconditionally and will never forsake me. He knows the hurt I feel, and He will help me through even the most difficult of times.

'Cause if He started this work in your life / He will be faithful to complete it / If only you believe it / He knows how much it hurts / And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

http://youtu.be/emgv-VRtMEU

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM) Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association.

Symbol of Hope

Symbol of Hope: What symbol helps give you hope for living with Migraine and Headaches?

There are multiple symbols that help give me hope for living with Migraine and Headaches. But, there is one that stands far beyond all the others.

The cross.

The cross means and reminds me of so many things, including: that I am a cherished child of God, that God loves me so much that He sacrificed His only son (who was raised on the third day), that I have purpose in this life,  that I am never alone, that I have the God of angel armies fighting for me.

The cross points me back to God. My faith in Him is where I find strength, hope, gratitude, and peace.

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13)

The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM) Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association.

Large Migraine Hopes

Large Migraine and Headache Hopes: What large thing gives you hope for living with Headaches and Migraines?

One of the large things that gives me hope for living with Migraine and Headache is advocacy. I get a surge of hope rush through me, as I see and read so many people's stories and advocacy efforts online.

It also gives me hope to be able to be one of the voices out there. This blog is a place that I can share my experience, advocate for myself and the Migraine community, and let others know that they're not alone. Even though there are times that I struggle to write, I try to share / spread hope in other ways. Being able to contribute, in even the smallest way, is huge to me.

The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM) Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association.

Small Migraine Hopes

I've fallen a few days behind in the blog challenge, so hang on tight as I quickly get caught up.

Small Headache and Migraine Hopes: What small thing gives you hope for living with Headaches and Migraines?

I've been much more aware of the "little things" in life. Perhaps this is one of the "side effects" of life slowing down. Life is made up of little moments, and I now find that even the most mundane things have taken on different meaning.

It is in the simple, everyday things that I find hope. For example, I find hope in being able to help out around the house, in whatever capacity I'm able. Each day, I do at least one thing, no matter how big or small. 

My husband really helps me with this. He cheers me on, even when I don't feel I've contributed to the day in any way. Even when all I can do is get out of bed in the morning and barely hang on throughout the day, he is there to help me and he tells / reminds me that my worth is not based on what I can or cannot do.

It gives me hope, when I'm able to attend and participate in things outside the home: going for a walk with my husband (and our dog), going to the grocery store with my husband (rarely, alone), spending time with loved ones. When I'm able to manage the pain with coping skills and/or meds, and still be able to participate in life, it gives me hope.

I also believe that gratitude and hope are intertwined. The more grateful I am, the more hope I feel for the future. There's power in noticing and being grateful for even the smallest of things in life.

The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM) Blog Challenge is organized by the American Headache and Migraine Association.