Self-care is NOT:

• Taking without concerns for others
• Grasping, greedy, mean
• Selfish
• Manipulating others to get attention, care, or love

The attacks were brutal

Back in the mid-’90s, while I was a jet-settin’ Oracle instructor for Aris Corporation, I began to have “eye attacks.” At first, they were tolerable and occurred about once a week. Then they became more frequent, more painful, and happened at inopportune times.

Some of you will remember those days. 

What were these eye attacks like?

• It felt like my eyes were on fire and being pierced with 100 needles. The needle sensation just plain hurt – while my “hot” eyeballs would quickly steam up my glasses (if I had them on).
• The attacks happened without a warning and would instantly cause my eyes to shut. Seriously. I couldn’t open my eyes even if I wanted to. I would have to wait 5-10 seconds before my eyes would even let me squint.
• These attacks lasted about 5 minutes, and then there was no evidence of the experience.

You can imagine the danger this introduced while I was driving. At one point, my eyes went on strike. I couldn’t use them to do anything for 2 weeks. I couldn’t go to work, and I couldn’t read, watch TV, drive, or do anything that required my eyes to stay focused on a “thing” for more than a few moments.

The doctors tried

I went to a lot of eye doctors. I tried everything from washing my eyeballs out with baby shampoo each morning to applying various types of eyedrops to applying steroids. Nothing really helped. This went on for over 13 years. What the doctors saw were two eyeballs where the bottom part of each cornea – where the two lids meet – were cracked and dried up. It seemed that I never really closed my eyes all the way, even when I was sleeping. So my eyeballs were dried out with a “cracked” surface.

So what did I do? The only thing I could do – i.e., make lifestyle changes to minimize the occurrences. Instead of using my eyes to do a “thing” for an extended period of time – like reading or computer stuff – I began getting up and walking around at least every 30 minutes to give my eyes a break. This helped, but I always lived “on guard” awaiting the next attack. And they came. I’ll admit – I was convinced five years ago that at the rate I was going – that by the time I reached my 50′s, my eyes would be done and I would be a candidate for assisted living.

A marathon for my eyes

Then last year, as some of you know, I went into what I call a “black hole” to work on the Semper Vita web application. I did nothing but stare at two monitors all day, 80-100 hours/week for several months. This activity, if memory served me right, was a perfect set-up for a series of eye attacks. So what did we do? We prayed each week that God would protect and heal my eyes. And what did I expect? No eye attacks.

And guess how many attacks I had? None. Zilch. Nada.

But that’s not the miracle

Okay, maybe it’s part of the miracle. But the big realization came just a couple of weeks ago. I went in for my annual eye exam (it had actually been 2 years) – and guess what? There was NO evidence of any damage to my corneas. My eyes were completely normal – as if nothing was ever wrong. That explains why I haven’t had any eye attacks this past year. God. Healed. My. Eyes.

Today, I’m sportin’ some new Big Girl glasses that I can wear full-time. I’ve stepped up to Progressive lenses with some very kewl Dutch frames. I’m still adjusting to the Progressives, but I’m taking great pleasure in knowing that I will now be able to read my own menus. The friends who’ve had to read for me know what I’m talking about – and I’m sure you’re thanking God too!

After 15 years of eye problems, it’s a great relief to be free and clear. This is a miracle in my book. Thank you, God, for my healed eyes (and kewl glasses!).

P.S. I saw my hair stylist on Saturday. She told me it was time to update my online profile picture because I have a rather different look now. Besides the glasses, I have a short & sassy, “naturally-colored” hairstyle. Yes, Laramie, the pictures will be updated before we meet again.

I am probably the most selfish man you will ever meet in your life. No one gets the satisfaction or the joy that I get out of seeing kids realize there is hope.

Need a good laugh? Well, since I’ve got Mary Tyler Moore on the brain - I thought I’d share this hilarious 1997 clip with Oprah and Mary. Oprah idolized MTM growing up, and this clip captures Oprah’s reaction when she finally got to meet her. There are a lot of  fantastic “Oprah Best Moments” – but this continues to be my all-time favorite. Smiles guaranteed.

NOTE: If you’re reading this in an email or feed reader and can’t see the video, you’ll need to click through and view on my blog.

What would a photo of Jill be without a little bag o' dog poop? ~Jill

The writing is on the wall

It’s Jill’s birthday today. So in the spirit of Facebook walls and everything social—and on behalf of a few in Jill’s circle—I’m delighted to present Jill’s Birthday Wall: In which her friends come together to sing “Why We Love Jill”:

Click on image to read and enjoy!

It’s a day to play

What would a birthday celebration be without the sharing of a few ‘revealing’ photos? Jill has kewl friends. Canadian friends. Friends who share pictures. Of Jill. Playing. Not too long ago.

Life is good. The coast is clear. No one knows I'm here.

Caught. By the paparazzi. Playing hooky. This better not show up on Facebook.

It’s a day to celebrate

Who can turn the world on with her smile? Jill! Who can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Jill!

And who is admittedly reminiscent of The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Me, and…Well, it’s you girl, and you should know it…With each glance and every little movement, you show it… [Cut!]

Jill, friend, on your special day, we celebrate who you are and who you are becoming. Thank you for the sheer joy, laughter and delight you bring to so many! Dogs, that is. And people. Even if you don’t like us as much. We love you, Jill! Lots.

Happy birthday to my—to our—Crazy Doggie Saving Lady friend!

P.S. A special Thank You goes to Evan and each of you who shared your hearts, stories, pictures (Tammie!) and perspectives with me for this blog post. You helped bring this crazy idea to life. Hope you liked it.

I’ll make this real quick. I switched things up a bit on my blog. If you’re reading this in an email or your feed reader or Facebook, then I invite you to take a moment and check it out.

I’ve moved to a new blog platform (WordPress), and adopted a theme that makes it a bit more fun to share kewl links, quotes and videos. And yes, I still have a queue of stuff I plan to write about – so stay tuned on that front. If you have a smartphone or an iPad, the format of my blog may give you the urge to swipe your monitor to scroll right and left. Or not. I’m a geek. I know.

That’s it. Click around. Let me know what you think.

This is hands-down one of my all-time favorite videos. The music and lyrics are invigorating. The healthcare workers are beyond kewl. And the breast cancer survivors are where it’s at!

Be sure to watch the video in full-screen HD and turn up those speakers.