The Gift Within: Autoimmunity and my Enlightening Path Through my Journal of Affirmations, Dedications and Heartfelt Poetic Expression. - Softcover

Kugler, Margie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1452572984 ISBN 13: 9781452572987

Publisher: BalboaPress, 2013

Synopsis

In 2001, I was confronted with the most frightening challenge of my life, the diagnosis of a disease called scleroderma. I gradually learnt that this was no ordinary condition, as both my immune and vascular systems are compromised. The body is overproducing collagen throughout the body's cells, tissues, organs, and systems, causing scarring or fibrosis. I felt strongly compelled to stay positive and explored many areas of help by seeking medical, holistic, and spiritual ways of healing. My book reveals the challenging and yet empowering journey I am living. Through a natural desire to express myself, I began writing my thoughts down daily and led to much insight and inspiration. My journal of poems, affirmations, and dedications brings to light a culmination of years of fear, bravery, pain, faith, desperation, and enlightenment. I sincerely hope this reaches the many thousands of people who are struggling just like me, dealing with their day-to-day tribulations of managing an autoimmune disease. I endeavour to deliver comfort and recognition by openly sharing my story and I wish with all my heart and soul that it helps people in some reassuring way or hopefully in a most miraculous way. This is my dream.

About this title

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Gift Within

By Margie Kugler

Balboa Press

Copyright © 2013 Margie Kugler
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4525-7298-7

Contents

My Book: To My Mother Bettina..............................................
xiii
A Positive Beginning Triumph Over Illness..................................
xv
Introduction: The Beginning................................................
xvii
My Journey.... From July 2001 to Present day...............................
xxi
Acknowledgements...........................................................
xxxi
Chapter 1 Survival.........................................................
1
Chapter 2 Bravery & Fear...................................................
17
Chapter 3 Sadness & Despair................................................
27
Chapter 4 Courage & Faith..................................................
49
Chapter 5 Compassion.......................................................
63
Chapter 6 Dedications......................................................
83
Chapter 7 Love.............................................................
123
Chapter 8 Gratitude........................................................
135
Chapter 9 Guidance & Insight...............................................
151
Chapter 10 Inspiration & Intuition.........................................
181
Chapter 11 Surrender & Enlightenment.......................................
211
Chapter 12 Spiritual Awareness.............................................
237

CHAPTER 1

Survival

Quote: Anne Lamott

"I do not understand the mystery of grace-Onlythat it meets us where we areBut does not leave us where it found us.

    Being Cared For

    TO be strong
    Is to be vulnerable
    Do not conceal
    The weaknesses of life, altercation
    On Love, Health, Fear or,
    Indecision.
    Make a stand, a soulful petition
    Relinquish all holds
    On the truth and be frank
    Let it be
    Let it be known
    I am humbled and meek
    In this Need for Care.
    Being Cared For
    Enables me to come out of
    The darkness of denial
    Ending this self-defensive spiral.


    Steering Your Own Way

    Taking responsibility for one's life
    In many forms, is essential
    Wake up and take the reigns
    Your interest and proactive intentions
    Opens so many doors in your Name
    Staying dormant in wonder
    Does not fuel the fire of our soul
    It needs our breath and motion
    To rise high and make us whole.

    We cannot account for others choices
    They alone, can lead their own destiny
    Staying vigilant on steering your own way
    Will bring you closer to the right path
    To Freedom and Harmony.


    Self-Empowerment

    My obsession to lessen
    The growing pain of denial,
    Has destructive effects on me.
    I can't stop when my body needs to
    I can't breathe when my body needs to
    I can't cry when my body needs to
    My search for SELF-EMPOWERMENT is the KEY.

    Find the victorious answer from inside
    What has transpired may seem out of your control
    But what we create
    Can also be in our Power to change,
    It can be natural.


    Adapt To Thrive

    The veil of restrictions are lifted
    I can now start, without
    Freezing in fear to continue
    I am NOW evolving
    With the lessons I am gifted.

    I accept new challenges will arise
    Till then, I bask in my ecstasy
    Ground myself and live
    The world is a changing place
    So we too must adapt to thrive.

    Just when our mind is made up
    Something happens to help us
    See a new point of view
    I am ever so humbled
    When confronted with solutions
    I never knew.


    Allergy To Msg

    For many unknowing years
    I questioned my palate and tastebuds
    Often been drawn to numerous
    Unhealthy yet delicious flavours.

    MY savouring was short lived
    As not long after the invigorating feast
    A drum of dislike was present
    In my whole being.

    I learnt the lesson soon, one day
    What is taken in, Must be natural
    The societies lure of addictions
    Became an instrument, I wish
    To no longer play.


    Back To Basics

    The body responds
    To neglect
    Like an outcast
    Refused shelter
    After a long, hard journey.
    Immediate recognition
    Is beseeched
    Create an Oasis
    With the simplest of tasks
    Tend to the basics.
    Water
    Nutritious food
    Rest
    And tolerance
    Your body needs
    Attention, without deference.


    The Power Within Us All

    A creator is within us
    We may not see
    This part of us
    For indeed
    Knowing this
    Will set us free.


    Letting Go

    Change is frightening
    So is sheer reality
    When the penny drops
    And you finally put
    All the strangling pieces together
    You are ready
    No more excuses
    You are facing a desperate survival
    Then you, with grief and
    Certainty,
    Decide
    To let go.
    No more self-sacrifice
    You are deserving of
    A wonderful existence.


    Never Retreat

    A change is inevitable
    Don't give up!
    Keep going with our heart
    Your mind is weak
    But the Soul knows
    No defeat.


    No More Mercury

    One question was asked
    The answer seemed surreal
    Had it not been asked before?
    The point to which I was now
    Looking is.... GET THEM OUT
    The damage is done, a heavy weight
    No further poison ... my plea
    For health and justice sake.

    This 'quicksilver ore'
    Clings to many a taste bud
    Without awareness
    I eat and drink unknowing
    Of the toxins
    Of the danger
    Of the effects
    Their time is up.


    Determined Yet Flexible

    The way is unknown
    I follow tenderness
    I follow love and patience
    An era of fixed goals is gone
    Like the soft current
    It f lows acceptingly
    In all directions
    The water is pliant
    It fits cosily amongst the
    Oceans strong waves and
    Tender ripples
    I too must be determined
    Yet flexible
    Then a wondrous way
    I shall find.


    The Bounce Back

    Amazing stories of Survival
    Relinquishing the limits
    When faced with
    Fight or die.
    Get back to being
    You.
    The natural, unencumbered Spirit
    Awakens a miracle to Healing
    Catalyst in disguise
    It initiates a recall
    Of the Superhero
    Within us all.
    What we need to await
    With belief,
    Is the Bounce back
    The calm after the
    Storm of life
    Indeed a welcoming
    Learning.
    Take the next step
    To be free
    A leap of
    Faith
    For all Eternity.


    Moderation In Moderation

    I faint
    I tremble
    I tire
    I realise all
    That,
    To be truly
    In moment by moment
    Healing
    Be
    Moderation in moderation
    The world is turning
    At its own pace
    No rush to catch up
    Or be ahead
    Of time.
    So we must see our lives
    As order in the making.

CHAPTER 2

Bravery & Fear

Quote: Father of MotivationDr Wayne Dyer

"Where there is fear, there cannot be love.And where this is love, there cannot be fear."

    Honesty Not Fear

    Be open and upfront, for what you know
    Others may need to know
    They will respect your honesty
    And be happy to have you share.
    What you hide out of fear
    May cause fear in others
    Treat the fear as a sign
    Go ahead and trust
    You'll see the fear disappear.


    Fear Backwards

    Raef
    Fear backwards
    The other side of fear.
    There are so many ways to see
    The more pleasant view of a word
    To defeat its attachment,
    A victim, Not to be.

    Real Attention Entices Fulfilment
    Releasing All energies Forgiven
    Rejoice And Experience Family
    Rejoice All Emotional Freedom
    Renewing An Ever-loving Future
    Renewing An everlasting Faith
    Restore All Energy Forever


    More Raef

    Replace negative with positive
    Control your cellular fluctuations
    Be proactive in being Preventive
    Remember our choice is what comes.


    Raef

    Resist All Expected Failures
    Relive An Encouraging Flattery
    Request Absolute Eternal Fairness
    Residing At Excitability Fully
    Replacing Awareness Eventually Fulfils
    Recover At Expedient Favour
    Resolve Any Exchange Fruitfully


    Many Ways To Turn Fear Around

    Reconcile All Errors Finally
    Relive An Exquisite Friendship
    Require An Energetic Frame
    Remember Always, Events Fantastic
    Reaching All Expected Fealty (Faith)
    Running And Exercising Forcefully
    Reaching Awareness Excites Firsthand
    REMAIN AN ENERGY FOUNTAIN

    The array of positive alternatives
    For feeding your Soul its Peace
    The healing, resonating sounds
    You need every day
    ARE ABUNDANT
    Like the grains of sands on the beach


    Living Fierlessly

    I treat each day with honour
    I am so grateful for the sunrise
    There is joy and fun to be had
    Bringing a sense of lightness
    Will make the day a treasure
    Of delight and ease.
    Deep within this surrender
    You are
    LIVING FIERLESSLY
    Approaching the New way
    With No sense of fear
    But Peace and Love, and
    This Brings Inspiration.


    Fear Not

    Reach, and eventually find.
    Regeneration at every forgiveness.
    Rediscover an enlightening form.
    Restoring awareness encourages fun.
    Re-establish an effectual foundation.
    Renaissance at every finale.
    Rapture at Earths feet.
    EMBRACE CHANGE

    There was once hesitation
    To a curve in my path
    I fought against it
    Was it wrong?
    Through fear and doubt
    I resisted.
    Welcome the Avatar
    No judgement is necessary
    The world is free will
    Restraints are futile.
    Allow each
    A sense of growth
    Nurture relationships
    With open minds and open hearts.


    Character Building

    I was down and out today
    Feels like
    I keep
    Hitting my head against
    A Brick Wall
    Of defeat.
    No sense in hiding it
    I felt the loss
    I felt the frustration
    I allowed myself to grieve
    It bought me to a point
    I didn't like to stay at,
    So I moved on!
    It wasn't nice to feel at the end
    I struggle with every problem
    Yet I won't lie down and quit!
    Oh! NO! Not me.
    My Character is strong!
    I pick myself up
    And
    Turn another page of
    Hopeful Inspiration

CHAPTER 3

Sadness & Despair

Quote: March 4th 2011Twin SoulsDennis & Alice Jackson

"Just when you think life is turningUpside down, it is turning right side up"

    No Other, Like Me

    I watched the suffering for too long
    Is now the time for release
    Trying so hard to live in denial
    Will not make you happy or at Peace.
    I am what I am, with f laws and marks
    There is no other, like me
    Keep your individual traits
    Treasure yourself as already whole
    You need not change at all.
    Being me is what I do
    If one cannot accept that
    Then perhaps I will always
    Feel their rejection
    For being me is what I need,
    Not dwelling in another's Reflection


    Re-Awaken Our Fighting Spirit

    We must re-focus on moving on
    Living in sadness and helplessness
    Is what freezes us like ice
    Too scared to move for fear of
    Experiencing more pain, the spice
    Of life is gone, we ponder,
    More than ever, what will be
    Of us, if we don't think to
    Re-awaken our FIGHTING SPIRIT
    And respect our heartfelt screams of pain
    'Save me please, I want out of this dilemma
    And into the light of ease.


    Sabotage, To Fill The Void

    When the usual worry is gone
    We sabotage our lives with another
    There's an urge to fill that void
    As you're used to a certain familiar feel
    The one that has been there making us sad.

    To feel nothing seems worse than before
    If only the security of pain
    Comes back in another form
    Then I have Safety in Sorrow again.

    There is hope that acceptance
    Of filling the void with Love
    Shall break me free of the chains
    That I believed I am deserving,
    This constant pain.


    Let Go, To Receive

    When I felt the pain of abandonment
    My World seemed chaotic
    A war of tears inside my head
    I wanted to be numb to my devastation
    So I masked my thoughts
    To the Realization, but I knew
    I must be true.

    Let go of the pain
    Close that door
    As another waits
    Forget the rain and welcome the sun
    Be ready to receive the new
    Replace that sad moment
    With a Joyous one.

    I cried tears of sorrow
    I cried tears of happiness
    The best thing of all
    I knew my life was blessed.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Gift Within by Margie Kugler. Copyright © 2013 Margie Kugler. Excerpted by permission of Balboa Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: BalboaPress
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1452572984
• ISBN 13: 9781452572987
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 296