Plate Theory© -  by Cynthia Dainsberg, Sparrow Song Health Resources

First, a nod to Christine Miserandino, who came up with the Spoon Theory/Spoonies- to help communicate what it is like to live ‘energy challenged’.

 I’d like to take this table top talk explanation a step further- and explain my Plate Theory.

You’ve heard the old adage of having a lot on our plate- but, I’d like to submit, our ‘plates’ can be of different sizes, and so affect our perception, our view, our abilities, our resources…

Here, I have pictures of some different sized plates, all with the same kind, and number of fruit.

Depending on where you are at in your ‘energy journey’- one of these plates could represent your overall physical plate of energy, as well as your mental plate of energy.

As you can see, when our Energy Plate is small- even a few things will fully occupy our physical energies, and mental energies.  Whereas, someone else, who may have a Larger Plate, may not understand what someone, who has a Small Plate, may be experiencing.

The Larger Plate Person will see the same fruit, relative to their own plate- and often even miss perceiving that the other person’s Plate is Smaller. 

Look at the pictures.

Look from the Largest plate- to the smallest plate- can you not only see how the ‘free space’ on the plates lessen, but also perceive the increased burden of the fruit- the smaller the plate.  The fruit takes up almost all of the small plate.

The Small Plate is weighted; the fruit is in delicate balance, to stay on the plate. The fruit almost completely covers the Small Plate; it would be difficult to even see where any more fruit could be added.

With the Smaller the Plate- the more the person is experiencing the weight, and balance of what is on their plate.  And with this- one’s perspective can hardly allow body and mental space to even entertain anything more that might be placed on the plate- no matter if what is available to the plate is even fun. 

Too much, is too much, for any plate, but particularly for those living with a Small Plate.

What size is your Plate? 

Some of our Plate Sizes remain consistent, some of our Plate Size’s may change throughout the day. 

If you are a Caregiver-  what size is your Plate?  What size Plate is your Care Receiver experiencing. 

Again- The Plate Theory can help us not only explain our present physical capacities, but can be used to explain our present mental capacities as well.

 

To learn more about how you may communicate how you experience fatigue- I’d be happy to share with you about the Dainsberg Fatigue Scale™ .                                  Visit www.fatiguescale.com   or, email me at:  sparrowsonghealthresources@gmail.com

~ cynthia dainsberg, Sparrow Song Health Resources, Inc   (c)2021

 Masked 

Yes, I wear a mask.  

A Vogmask N95*, actually. 

I've worn a mask for years. 

Well before Covid came onto the scene, I have had to wear a mask. 

A part of me thought there would be a little more room for understanding; less getting 'the look'.

Sadly- as Covid rose, so did people's opinions and emotions.  Some going as far as to make wearing/not wearing a mask The Line In The Sand- on which to take a Stand. 

Now, if you know me at all, you know I hold a lot of strong convictions!   I also hope you would find that along with those convictions, I seek to show love through, and above my convictions.  

We never really know the conditions of all those around us, at any one time, in any one place.  We usually go into most circumstances with the lenses of our presuppositions and convictions- aka, logs (Mtt 7:3; Lk 6:41)   

Even if/when we believe we are 'right'- we need to let Love lead us. (1 Cor. 13:1) 

#bekind  #iwearamask #letlovelead

(*I have no agreement with Vogmask; I simply use their product.) 

SSHR 2021 cynthia dainsberg

 Words from the Heart

The last note my mom wrote. 

It is a keepsake. 

She'd suffered a severe stroke, taking much of her speech and motor skills. Still, she worked hard, and recovered a goodly amount of speech, and practiced with her usually weak side, to now use as her strong side. 

One of her assignments was to practice writing.  If she HAD to  put energy into writing- she would make each mark count! 

To whom would she write- A note to her family. 

What would she write- of her love, for her family, and her favorite season- spring. 

Oh the effort in each pen stroke. 

The messages were clear:  her fortitude; her love for her family; she chose to look out her window, beyond her dark room-  and chose enjoy/rejoice in seeing the sun and signs of spring. 

She was looking beyond her circumstances; looking out not just with her eyes, but with her heart and spirit. She saw more. 

What am I looking at today?

Will I choose to look beyond that which I only see with my eyes-  beyond myself, beyond my circumstances?  

Will I let those around me know how much they mean to me?

Will I exercise fortitude?

Will I look out, look forward- look for my own signs  of spring- renewing; refreshing...

LORD, fill us with Strength to not only meet the need of this day, but fill us with anticipation of the future promises You've given to us- when All Things Will Be Made New. Thank You for those you've given to us, in love- may they know today, how valuable they are to us~  Fill us with your peace and joy, according to Your Great Mercy-  amen. 

- cynthia 

SSHR 2021

 

10 Seeds to Grow a Lighter Heart 

                                                                    Seeds:

                                                        _        Look for something PURE

               _        Look for something HONORABLE  

_        Look for something GOOD

       _        Look for something MIRTHFUL

        _        Look for something BEAUTIFUL

     _        Look for something INSPIRING

          _        Look for something WHOLESOME

        _        Look for something SALUBRIOUS

            _        Look for something CELEBRATORY

                               _        Look for 3 things for which you are GRATEFUL

        Bonus Seeds: 

        _     Practice forgiveness, as necessary

                                           _        SHARE at least three of these with three people- (call, msg, text, write a letter…)

Gardening Basics:

Good soil- a heart open to be lighter.

Plant these seeds-  Make your own list.

Water the seeds- Do them daily.

Let the light in- we don’t ignore the past, but we can choose to not let the past have power over or present.  Be present.  Choices today, will impact your future. 

Find a garden partner- find someone who will also grow their Lighter Heart; agree to check in regularly (put it on your calendar).  Each of you share at least one insight/something most impactful,  that especially Lightened Your Heart. Stay present and engaged in your Garden Partner’s story. Keep present- don’t go over past/old-ground, or opine about possible future… Enjoy this Present-time. Agree to your next time to meet; put the meeting on your calendar.

If you need further direction in identifying the seeds, consider these explanations-

Pure- truth, clarity, innocent, high in quality,

Honorable-upright, dignified, noble, illustrious, worthy,

Good- satisfying, morally excellent; proper, kind, worthy, reliable

Mirthful- joyous, cheerful; merry, amusing; good humored

Beautiful- delights the senses or mind; wonderful, very pleasing, excellent of its kind

Inspiring- exalting influence, ‘takes our breath’, divine influence, fills our senses, stirring, uplifting

Wholesome- conducive to moral/general well-being; beneficial; sound

Salubrious- promotes good health; healthful

Celebratory- praise, exult, commemorate, honor with ceremony/festivity

Gratitude (include forgiveness) – being, and expressing- gratefulness or thankfulness

Forgiveness- disables the power of a wrong done to us (it doesn’t dissolve the wrong, but, it does disable the power of the act upon us)

-cynthia dainsberg Sparrow Song Health Resources, Inc 2021    wwwfatiguescale.com