The first 1.5 minutes of this clip oddly came to mind yesterday as I watched my doctor write out a prescription for me.

Background: I have fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that's also linked to chronic fatigue. It isn't degenerative or terminal, but it also isn't curable. It's often linked with stress or trauma, which brings me back to my doctor's prescription. It reads:

+ ATTITUDE > + PERCEPTION > + BODILY REACTION
- ATTITUDE > - PERCEPTION > - BODILY REACTION

You are where your thoughts are. Where do you want to be? Choose where you want to be. You cannot eliminate thoughts; replace them with other thoughts. Count your blessings.

Watching him write the prescription I couldn't hide the smile on my face.

"Have you seen What About Bob?," I asked my doc.

"No, I don't think I have," he said.

I explained the scene in which Dr. Leo Marvin writes Bob a prescription to 'take a vacation from my problems'. With a wry smile, my doctor reached for his prescription pad and asked: "Do you want one?"

I laughed, and said I'll probably survive without it.

Sure, it was funny. And yes, I'm a psych grad who knows all about the link between state of mind and physical health. But my problem is this: I don't feel particularly good, great or wonderful (watch part 1 of the movie for this quote) about reminding myself of Bob Wiley. Who would?

It's a bright Monday morning. I feel alert, confident, and ready to fly through new job postings and email a bunch of resumes to prospective employers.

In my enthusiasm, I o.d. on caffeine.

Suddenly it's an overcast Monday afternoon. Hands quivering, heart palpitating, my cover letter sounds like I'm on speed.

Dad still has his ups and downs, but with taking less Dilantin per day (that's his seizure medication), his mind is not as foggy as it was before. He has been incredibly articulate at times, and all the normal dreams and hopes that we humans experience are being expressed by Dad clearer and more often these days. He desires to get better, to pick up his former profession of pastoring, to drive a car, to have friends who treat him like a normal human being who is worthy of respect and worth the time to visit. He wants to have adventures, to use his gifts for singing and counselling, to try new things like learning to use a digital camera and an accoustic guitar, to devote time to his interest in music, model trains, history, Scripture, and so on. What he needs are just a few more friends to help him reach up out of the fog and realize some of his ambitions. The possibilities, believe it or not, are numerous and attainable...

There is always more going on here, but I'll have to post about it another day. Thanks for checking in, and remember, your comments (and phone calls!) are always welcome.