The Path to Perseverance: 10th Month & 10th Principle
“Perseverance isn’t about grinding to exhaustion. It’s about pacing and rest. We must continually evaluate our physical, mental, emotional well-being and refuel when necessary. There is an acronym in recovery circles: HALT. Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. We need to recognize when we require support and ask for it.”
— Waves of Resilience, pp. 108–109
How true those words are, straight from the pages of our book, Waves of Resilience: 12 Principles of Interabled Love. As the saying goes, “Take my advice; I’m not using it.”
After a week of celebrating, I finally hit a wall on Monday and came down with a virus I’d been fighting. I have a strong work ethic, and when I’m focused on a project, I often set self-care aside in the name of perseverance. Eventually, my body insists that I stop.
I stayed in bed most of Monday and didn’t feel up to working out on Tuesday. I knew better, but I hadn’t made room for the rest I needed. A few days later, I’m still recovering, though the congestion and feverishness have eased. I’m finally giving myself time to rest and recuperate.
There has been so much to celebrate. Now I’m learning to make room for recovery, too.
What a wild ride it’s been! Our book became available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble at the end of September, followed by our virtual launch on October 9.
Virtual Book Launch Screenshot With Story Merchant Books
The virtual event brought together family and friends from across the country, including Washington, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Our publisher, Story Merchant Books, also invited authors from its publishing community to join us. It was wonderful to share this milestone with people who couldn’t be here in person and to realize that our book was already reaching readers far beyond our hometown.
On October 11, about 75 friends, family members, and neighbors gathered for our in-person launch in a beautiful room overlooking the ocean at the Encinitas Library.
We opened with a blessing from Rabbi Ronna Bixby, who officiated at our wedding. Surrounded by so much love and encouragement, we felt God’s presence in the room.
We shared stories from the book, answered questions, and sold and signed copies. Our friend and fellow writer Joan Kling facilitated the event, coordinated volunteers, and served as master of ceremonies. Her support was invaluable. We’re deeply grateful to Joan, everyone who helped with setup and cleanup, and all who came to celebrate with us.
Now we’re looking ahead, with a reminder to pace ourselves as we go. We hope our book will open doors to speaking engagements and workshops, allowing us to carry a message of hope to couples, caregivers, and people navigating illness and disability.
On November 7, we’ll have a booth at A Sublime Life Sobriety Festival, a wellness and recovery event in Oceanside. Because the 12 Principles of Interabled Love are rooted in recovery, this feels like a natural place to share our book and connect with others.
We’ll also begin reaching out to organizations in our community and nearby cities to offer free workshops. We hope to serve veterans, older adults, people living with disabilities or chronic illness, and their families. These principles have helped us navigate change in our own lives, and we hope they can offer encouragement and practical support to others.
We’re excited about what comes next and grateful to have you along for the ride. For now, I’m reminding myself that the next chapter can wait while I rest.
Coming in our November newsletter, the 11th Principle: Awareness—The Gift of Presence
