No one told me this would happen...

I didn't want to say anything about this until I had an answer. Getting older and all that goes with it is more than I expected, but I do deal with extra issues to complicate life. And stress can bring about a nasty crash.

This past month, life piled on one thing after another until I crashed. Not fun! It took me two weeks of daily massive, almost debilitating fatigue, migraines with vision issues, dizzy spells, and brain fog before I started supplements that made a difference. I'm still recovering, but the body can't take stress like it did even five years ago. I'm over fifty and I feel it. It slowed my progress on Book 22, but I did finish it to my satisfaction. It turned out great, despite the setbacks!

Since I've been recovering from the crash and feeling better again, I am finishing up a read-through of Book 22 and, this weekend, will start the first editing round on Book 20. FINALLY! Better late than never, but I do have legitimate reasons for the delay. Fortunately, the struggles I deal with often work to the benefit of the story. While I would appreciate good days all the time, the bad days force delays that seem to give my mind time to reconsider ideas that need less editing, instead of excitedly rushing through the first idea that comes to mind and needing major rewrites.

So, to be honest with readers, I have my struggles, but in the scattered periods I've felt clear-headed and had time and energy while recovering from the crash, I was able to get work done on the Forgotten Worlds series. It is progressing. I refuse to quit! I want to know how this ends and will not throw in the towel (like some big name authors who shall not be named). (I know how this ends, but the specific details aren't known to me until I write the actual scenes, so there are still surprises for me and I want the pleasure of discovering those.) It might take me a bit longer than I want to get there, but I am a fighter and determined to finish this series, no matter what it takes.

Spoon theory is a metaphor describing the amount of
physical or mental energy that a person has available
for daily activities and tasks, and how it can become
limited. The term was coined in a 2003 essay by
American writer Christine Miserandino.

And I'm still going through with my other plans, especially since I've come to a new understanding of my limitations; and, no, it's not in my head--I have chronic illnesses (over ten years) but have to occasionally learn new ways to manage them through life changes so I can continue to enjoy doing what I love. (For reference, look up spoon theory.) It also helps to have a great day job boss who is understanding and flexible.

The new project is something that will only demand periodic spurts of my time once it's set up and running, so perfect for me to manage. I wish I could announce it now, but it's in the very early stages. I just can't keep it to myself completely. When it's ready, I'll make a big announcement here. For now, stay tuned!

Offer it up to God: These issues I've lived with for many years were the best thing to happen to me, and I can imagine the look on your face while you read that because I've seen it when I tell people in person. The health issues transformed my life. They gave me a new perspective on appreciating the life God gave me and forced me to rely on God, where I, in my ignorant hubris, used to think I had control. It was a process, but I now have a much closer relationship to Jesus by aligning my suffering to His. I've learned to more fully trust in God, who has power over everything. I can only work with what He allows me to have.

 

As a Catholic, I've come to see these as mortifications that He chose for me. I don't have to go looking for them. These health issues are my penance, my offerings for my sins and the sins of others. The best part is knowing that God will transform the offerings of my suffering to pour graces on others, just as Christ's Passion and Crucifixion gave us the grace of redemption. Whether people who receive those graces accept them or not is another matter. All we can do is align our sufferings to that of Our Lord, even the littlest thing. The tiniest inconvenience or suffering is all it takes. It doesn't have to be big health issues.

 

Whenever something comes up, pray something like "I offer this [suffering] to you, Lord, for [whatever grace you want someone specific or a population in general to receive]." It doesn't have to be a long prayer, although I like to use the Fatima Sacrifice Prayer. If you're unsure about the last part, cut it short: "O My Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for sins." The point is to offer one's sufferings and prayers to God and he will transform those into beautiful graces for others as Christ did for all sinners from the beginning to the end of time. It gives one's suffering purpose, accepts God's will over one's life, and is a way to "pay it forward" spiritually.

Thanks for reading, and God bless you and keep you!

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Added 7/26/25 to backup my statement above: