The Ladybug

Tag: Charity

  • Restorative Walking: A Personal Journey

    Walking is such a wonderful activity, and full of many different benefits!  I do not take my ability to partake in this gift lightly!  And walking truly is a gift, as it allows one to exercise in a gentle way.  If you have read The Ladybug this year, you may already know that I feel especially connected to the Spirit of God while in nature and moving my body.  I also like to partake in charity walks to raise money for worthy organizations that do good in our imperfect world.  In addition, walking with a friend, family member, or group, is a blessed way to be in community and form connections.  I could go on and on about the benefits of walking, but I want to get a little more personal with my readers today about my 2025 walking journey.

                Walking is, in general, a little more difficult for me than for the “average” person.  I have been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardic Syndrome) and hEDS (hypermobile sub-type Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome).  Both illnesses affect an individual’s ability to exercise.  However, I persist with a routine of walking and yoga as a way of maintaining healthy and joyful movement in my life.  The year 2025 began with a blast, with my body being strong enough to complete the American Cancer Society 31-Mile Challenge in January.  I walked 42 miles in the month of January, while raising money to fight cancer. 

                As the year continued, I began to feel a bit like I was struggling with my health.  I completed less mileage in the months of February and March.  Half-way through March 2025, I became ill with a bad bronchitis and lay in bed feeling sorry for myself.  In April 2025, I woke up on Easter Sunday extremely ill with a tick-borne illness like Malaria.  If you want more details on that experience in my life, see my former Ladybug post I’m Back! Let’s Talk Honestly About Anxiety and Faith.  By the end of May 2025, I was barely walking down to the mailbox. 

                Facing a huge deficit in my physical stamina for walking and getting outdoors for exercise has been hard on my mental health as well.  As the month of June began, I was determined I would regain my strength.  Gently, I began with restorative yoga practices.  Then, walking 0.50 miles up and down the sidewalk near my apartment building.  When I was visiting my parents’ home, I walked short distances with the family dog.  I carefully stayed under a mile at first until I felt strong enough to barely reach that distance. 

                It seemed that my fitness was on an up-swing, but the universe had other plans!  In early July, I was admitted to the hospital on a med/surge floor for testing and the procedures set me back yet again.  When one has POTS and hEDS, it is harder to recover from “normal” testing which other individuals may bounce back from.  I left the hospital on shaky legs, walking with a cane.  I do not want to complain too much at this point, because let me be clear that walking is a privilege.  Even with the set-back, I knew I was still blessed.  So, the journey now starts again to gain momentum and stamina.

                I would like to choose a charity walk in the Fall 2025 to plan to complete.  It will be beneficial to have a goal to train for as I navigate the difficulties this year has thrown at me, and may continue to provide.  Please comment your suggestions!!  I live in New England, but virtual walks are welcome, too!  Last October 2024, I completed a 10K distance virtual walk for The Jimmy Fund.  I would like to choose a walk with a good cause.  My walking journeys are never all about me.  I like to use my body, in whatever shape she is in, to spread love to others.  I hope that my passion for sticking to it and not giving up will inspire you as well.  Think of a cause you love and find a walk/run/hike/roll that you can accomplish!! 

                In Progress, G.

    PS The photo below is of me walking the family dog today.  I completed 1.03 miles! 

  • Challenges and Gentle Self-Care

                                                    Updates and Lifestyle Hacks

    First, I would like to update you, readers of The Ladybug, on my progress towards The American Cancer Society 31-miles Walking Challenge for January, which was the subject of my first blog post, Walking for a Cause.  I have successfully completed the challenge, by walking a total of 42.56 miles in the month of January 2025.  The goal of the challenge was to walk 31 miles total, and so I was quite pleased with the result of my efforts.  In addition, I was able to raise 151.00 dollars for The American Cancer Society from donations of generous friends and family members who sponsored my walking.  Completing a goal is always rewarding, whether the goal was large or small, and walking for charities is one of my most important values.

    As I have mentioned previously, I struggle with chronic physical illnesses, which can make exercise difficult on any given day.  Two of my diagnoses are: hEDS (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, hypermobility subtype) and POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).  These two illnesses do not have cures, and are managed through lifestyle changes.  Exercise is highly suggested for both conditions, and can help the body stay stronger.  Beyond physical health, the benefits of walking for mental health cannot be overstated.  When I am in nature, I feel calm, serene, and connected to God.  Nature reminds me that the problems of the world that seem huge, can just melt away with some sunshine and the songs of birds.

    I feel that when I ask my body to walk, even if she is tired or the weather is difficult to endure, I need to find a way to reward my hard-working body.  One of the ways that I do this is by drinking homemade matcha green tea lattes.  Matcha is an ancient green tea that was drunk by Buddhist monks in a special ceremony.  There are multiple benefits to matcha, including its antioxidants and natural caffeine.  Personally, I find the little ritual of making my matcha lattes to be rewarding.  First, I heat water, but not to boiling.  Then, I whisk the matcha powder with the water.  Finally, I add cold oat milk, and whisk everything together.  The drink is then poured in a glass and finished with a couple ice cubes.  It tastes earthy, rich, and sublime.  This is my personal thank-you to my body after getting me through another work-out. 

    I recommend that everyone be on loving terms with their bodies and find a special way to engage in some self-care.  Self-Care is unique to what each person enjoys. I would simply define it as: being gentle with the wonderful bodies and minds that God has given us.  Whatever challenges you may be facing, or difficult goals you may be pursuing, take some time and be gentle.  Read a book in your favorite genera, wear fuzzy slippers after a pedicure, play an instrument, paint a picture, soak in a bath, or make a list of the blessings in your life.  It is the little moments of joy that heal us and keep us going.  Take on your challenges armed with self-care!  Until the next quest…keep healing, G.

    P.S. Below are two pictures from my walking adventures in New England, and two pictures from my matcha making ritual at home.  Not sponsored!  Enjoy!!

  • Lifestyle: Walking for a Cause in 2025!!!

    Hello and welcome to 2025!!  I am starting this year with a lifestyle post about my love of charity walks.  As a person who struggles with more than one chronic illness, I find it invigorating and important to exercise by walking on a regular basis.  I can think of no better way to apply my love of walking than by raising funds for worthy organizations.  I first began participating in charity walks when I was quite young, around 10 years of age.  Over the years, the mileage that I can achieve has changed based on my health, but my determination to make a positive difference in the lives of others has not wavered.  In 2024, I participated in four charity walks.  I completed two 5K distances, one 2-mile distance, and one 10K distance, all of which I trained for carefully.  The walks supported the organizations: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Open Sky Community Services, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and The Jimmy Fund. 

                Fast-Forward to 2025, and I am taking on a new walking challenge!  I have registered for the American Cancer Society 31-miles in January Challenge, committing to walk at least 1 mile per day.  This cause is very close to my heart, as two of my grandparents struggled with cancer, and one of my close friends is currently fighting. Unfortunately, cancer seems to affect the lives of everyone, whether you know someone or battle with it yourself.    The fundraiser is on Facebook, and I include the link here:

    https://www.facebook.com/donate/1351351116309350/

    I appreciate your support!!

      In addition, this challenge also comes at a tough time for me physically, as I have been in a flare of my chronic illness. Walking daily is currently more difficult than usual.  However, I am determined to overcome my own health struggles, and aid others as well.  Comment below any ways that you use movement to make a difference.  What does it mean to you? 

    Let’s Go, New Year, Goal Set!!!!  

    My photo of my first 2025 walk: