b'signs of defeat. She wants me to demonstrateThen I arranged my remaining notes into the more hope and optimismnot only for me butfollowing poem (or perhaps the lyrics needing for her and others who genuinely care abouta melody). Before now, Id never written a poem me. My wife also urged me to write downor song. But, having done so, Im convinced (unload) all the pent-up thoughts and ideasmy wife had a great idea and was rightI feel swirling around my head.abitbetter.Iwasalsoinspiredbyanold Inspired by my wifes suggestions andfriend who said in a separate conversation, encouragement, I drafted the preceding content.Dana, dont be a victim to this sh*t. My Path to and Pursuit of a More Productive Perspective I was t. I worked and played hard. I had fun. Then slowly, mysteriously, my life started coming undone.First, my hands went numb.A few years later, I could no longer run.Now, I drop things, and I fall. Sometimes, Im too tired to have fun. Its just the beginning, the doctors said. This is the start of your ght. Your fatigue will persist. Try these pills for your plight. And theres a quake in my legs that others cant see. I cant play hard anymore. Please let me be. Let me rest for a while. I wish others could see,these things going on inside me. My wife said: Lets start by losing this negativity to help free up your head. You dont mope. Climb off of the couch. Please, come on nowyoure not dead. You are smarter than most. Use your brain and your wit. We have plenty of time. We can deal with this. But I dont even think, as fast as I could. I struggle with stairs; I dont walk like I should. And my mojo has taken a hit. Ive lost a step; Im getting sick of this sh*t. Ive always earned an honest weeks pay. Now Im often too spent to work a four-hour day. Mondays are just like Sundays. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are, too. Before I know it, the whole week is through. And tasks go undone, and theres so much left to do. 41 msfocusmagazine.org'