Spontaneity? Is it Possible with Fibromyalgia?

Heck yeah it is possible! Today my husband and I did something spontaneous and I lived to tell the tale. Good thing too, because I needed something to write about on day two of my 30 in 30 writing assignment.

It began as an average Sunday morning – sleep in, go to a leisurely breakfast at our favorite cafe, hit the grocery store and buy something to grill for dinner, head back to the house, walk the dog and then assume the position – me at my computer and Rob wherever he lands with his laptop. Rob made a call to one of his friends who just happened to mention he was walking around Balboa Park at the Healing Arts Festival. “The what?” I said. “The Healing Arts Festival?” “What is it and why didn’t I know about it?” So I immediately got online and looked it up.

The festival was organized and sponsored by The Alternative Healing Network, 501(c)(3) non-profit of San Diego. Their purpose is to educate the community and promote the use of alternative medicine as a path to increased health and well-being. Sounds like a great event right? We thought so too so we hopped in the car and headed down there. 

It was a beautiful day in San Diego today and the park was packed. Tons of natural health booths, two stages with bands playing, yoga and qi gong sessions going on, and people everywhere. I am pretty sure dog beach was deserted today because there were almost as many dogs as people at the festival. So we walked around and I made as many contacts and connections as I could. I am always on the lookout for health and wellness information to share with my fibromyalgia support group, and a new potential guest speaker to come share their expertise at one of our educational meetings. I was not let down.

I don’t know what it is about the holistic community, but by far, they are the community most eager to help and share their knowledge and skills with my group. They are truly and genuinely interested in what I am trying to achieve as a group leader, and also in helping each and everyone of the members improve our health and well being. They are sympathetic and understanding of chronic illness, but believe strongly that our health and quality of life can improve, and they are passionate about helping us learn how. Of course they have a financial interest when they donate their time to come speak at our meetings. Of course they are hoping to gain new patients and of course their services are not free. They did not spend 9 hours today manning their booths for the simple joy of it. They did it to increase community knowledge and awareness of alternative medicine and healing. Participate in a yoga session, lay down for a free massage, and then sit down and experience the healing effects of music. Sounds like a nice time doesn’t it? And what a bonus to head home feeling better and stronger than when you left. Some of the practices may call for a more open mind then others, but they are all meant to help heal the body, achieve emotional freedom, and improve ones quality of life. 

I am overjoyed with the contacts I made today, especially the great contact I made with the Chopra Center, and so glad that we made the spontaneous decision to head down there. Of course it means that now I am sitting here writing my post at 8:30 at night. But as long as I get it in by midnight, I will get an A on my writing assignment for the day. I should have been a teacher. I am such an easy grader!

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