Even when I am feeling generally awesome (probably the best I have in a long long time) it still takes me almost two hours to get going when I wake up.

When I open my eyes the only thing I can think or say is “OUCH”.  Every joint and muscle in my body feels tight and painful.  As if while I was sleeping someone packed me into a really small space and I slept in a zippered up carry-on luggage.

A really good visual of this would be the Tin Man from the Wizard Of OZ.  He needed oil to get him moving.  I have to move super slow, really take good care of my body and do stretches and yoga.  Yoga is my oil can.  Everything has to be done with care and very slowly for many reasons —one being that my heart medicine lowers my blood pressure so if I get up too fast from a stretch I could faint.  I see white spots in front of me all day long but more so in the mornings.

My Tin Man routine was a good one today.  It was especially hard to get going.  It was a two hour ordeal this morning.  But now, as I have started my day I realize that I actually feel good!

This body of mine needs so much attention and care and I am finally beginning to be OK with that.