Spirituality Builder
Author: stacey chillemi

Keeping Yourself Emotionally and Spiritually Healthy


As I was working to accept my epilepsy, I noticed myself changing emotionally. I felt better about myself. I would look in the mirror and be proud of the person I was seeing.

I remember in college my marketing professor assigned us a book to read. It was the most boring book I ever read in my life. I could feel the stress increase as I kept reading the book.

The book had no purpose and I could not understand why he would assign us to read this book. Suddenly I felt an aura start to come on and then the rest of the seizure.

My point is that I could have avoided the stress by putting the book the down and reading it at different times. I had created the stress myself. We have the power to control stress and thus help our body avoid seizures. We need to understand how our bodies work and listen to its messages. Because we have epilepsy, we need to be a little more careful than the average individual is.

I never thought when I was growing up as a child that I would have to be limited in enjoying certain activities I wanted to explore. I thought I could do everything. I realize now, as a young woman, there is no reason for me to lower my expectations, but there is also no reason to push myself over the limit. No one on this earth is a 100% perfect.

We all have our faults. I work all the time by trying to make myself into a stronger human being emotionally, physically and spiritually. Working on myself makes me feel like I can fight the battle of epilepsy and so can you! Everybody has different characteristics that make up their personalities.

Epilepsy is just one part of me. I cannot change the fact that I am epileptic. I have to just accept it the fact that I have epilepsy and learn to live with it productively. You will succeed and become a better person, if you think positively and productively.

You will feel the strength in yourself to accept your epilepsy. Think about who you and where you are headed in life. It is up to you to make something of yourself.


Here are exercises to help you improve yourself physically and mentally. I call this the spirituality builder. It uses all your muscles and is designed to help you develop strength and flexibility in the body, increasing circulation, and stretching. These exercises will help you feel good and at peace with yourself. I do these exercises frequently. It helped me feel like I had full control with myself. We may not have control over ourselves when we have seizures; however, we do have the power to figure out how to deal with our epilepsy so it does not become a problem in our lives.


EXERCISE ONE
1. Lie on your back with your arms at your sides. Adjust your body to a comfortable position.

2. Slowly relaxing all your muscles in your body starting with the feet and then working your way up to your head.

3. Keep your eyes closed, concentrating on what you see inside yourself. Focus on what you feel and what you want to feel like.

4. Slowly raise your body upright, bending forward

5. Then bend to your right side

6. Then to your left side

7. Then back to step one position

8. Remember to take deep breaths during this exercise and breathe slowly.

9. Do this for a minimum of fifteen minutes a day.

EXERCISE TWO

This exercise should be done twice a day for 5-15 minutes in a quiet room free from disturbance.

1. Rest on your back with head and neck comfortably supported

2. Rest hands on upper abdomen, close your eyes and settle in a comfortable position.

3. Breathe slowly, deeply and rhythmically. Inhalation should be slow, unforced and unhurried. Silently count to four, five or six, whatever feels right for you.


4. When inhalation is complete, slowly inhale through the nose. Count this breathing out, as when breathing in. The exhalation should take as long as the inhalation. There should be no sense of strain. If initially, you feel you have breathed your fullest at a count of three, which is all right. Try gradually to slow down the rhythm until a slow count of five or six is possible, with a pause of two or three between in and out breathing.

5. This pattern of breathing should be repeated 15 or 20 times and since each cycle should take about 15 seconds, this exercise should take about
5 minutes to do.

6. Once the mechanics of this exercise have been mastered, try to introduce thoughts at different parts of the cycle. On inhalation try to sense a feeling of warmth and energy entering the body with the air. On exhalation sense a feeling of sinking and settling deeper into the surface, you are lying on.

7.On completion do not get up immediately but rest for a minute or two, allowing the mind to become aware of any sensations or stillness, warmth, heaviness etc. Once mastered, this exercise can be used to help you cope with any situation, so you do not become over agitated



EXERCISE THREE
Often tension is focused in the muscles of the body itself, and the following exercise itself can release such tightness and allow the mind to be at ease. It is best to begin this exercise with a few cycles of deep breathing.

1. Lie down or sit down in a reclining chair.

2. Avoid distractions and wear clothes that are comfortable.

3. Starting with the feet, try to feel or sense that the muscles of the area are not actively tense.

4. Then deliberately tighten the muscles, curling the toes under and holding the tension for 5 or 10 seconds.

5. Then tense them even more strongly for a few more seconds before letting go of all the tension and sensing the feeling of release.

6. Try to consciously understand what this feels like, especially in comparison with the tense state in which they were held.

7. Exercise the calf muscles in the same way. First sense the state the muscles are in, then tense them, hold them in position, and then tense them even more before letting go. Positively sense of relief. If cramping occurs, stop tensing that area immediately and go on to the next area.

8. After the calf go on to exercising the knees, then the upper leg, thighs, buttocks, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, head and face. The particular order is irrelevant, as long as these areas are exercised the same way.

9. Some areas may need extra attention. For example, in the abdomen the tensing of the muscle can be achieved either by contracting (pulling in the tummy) or by stretching (pushing outwards). This variation in tensing is suitable to many muscles in the body.

10. There are between 20 and 25 of these areas depending how you go about it. Give each about 5-10 seconds of tensing and another 5-10 seconds of letting go. It should take 8-10 minutes to complete this exercise. After the exercise, try to relax for a couple of minutes.

11. Focus the mind overall body. Sense it as heavy and content, free of tension. You can do this by doing a few cycles of deep bre






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Profile:
I am thirty-two years old, married with three children. I am a writer and I recently published a book called “Epilepsy You're Not Alone.” Epilepsy You're Not Alone is an inspirational self-help book that teaches people with epilepsy how to live a healthy and productive life. The book shares encouraging stories and gives readers a workable program for coping with their disorder enabling readers to overcome their disorder and get on with their lives. My efforts have helped change women's lives. Through my efforts I have been able to show other women that is not impossible to become a mother. I've given people hope and a new look on life. Epilepsy is just a disorder. Your life does not end because you have epilepsy. Epilepsy awareness is improving and with people reaching out to help others with the disorder and to help society understand the disorder, were creating a pathway to a fulfilling future. There is a whole world in front of us. This world has millions of opportunities just waiting for people such as myself to encounter. It does not matter what age you are. You can achieve anything you put your mind too.

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
I am a H. O. P. E. Mentor, for the Epilepsy Foundation. I have spoken at different events for schools, organizations, political events and anywhere my help is needed to educate people about epilepsy. I was on four talk shows. The interviews focused on the importance of understanding what epilepsy is, how to help someone having a seizure and giving people with epilepsy encouragement and hope for the future.

I've been on radio stations discussing epilepsy and I have appeared in many newspapers all over New Jersey such as, The Leader, Belleville Post and the Star Ledger. And on June 26, 2002, I was honored an award by the Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey for Outstanding Volunteer Award.

I am thirty-two years old, married with three children. I am a writer and I recently published a book called “Epilepsy You're Not Alone.” Epilepsy You're Not Alone is an inspirational self-help book that teaches people with epilepsy how to live a healthy and productive life. The book shares encouraging stories and gives readers a workable program for coping with their disorder enabling readers to overcome their disorder and get on with their lives. My efforts have helped change women's lives. Through my efforts I have been able to show other women that is not impossible to become a mother. I've given people hope and a new look on life. Epilepsy is just a disorder. Your life does not end because you have epilepsy. Epilepsy awareness is improving and with people reaching out to help others with the disorder and to help society understand the disorder, were creating a pathway to a fulfilling future. There is a whole world in front of us. This world has millions of opportunities just waiting for people such as myself to encounter. It does not matter what age you are. You can achieve anything you put your mind too.

MY NEWS:

I am in the current process of publishing two books on epilepsy. One book is called "Epilepsy and Pregnancy, What Every Women Needs to Know" and "My Mommy Has Epilepsy"

I have received awards in my achievements and certificates in recognition for outstanding efforts in trying to improve society. I have been an active participant in organizations and activities. I have been a role model to many individuals.

I have published a book called, "Epilepsy You're Not Alone." I have written many articles on epilepsy, such as How Exercise Can Help Your Seizures, Coping with Epilepsy, Can Women with Epilepsy Have Babies and Why Children Have Seizures. She has also written self-help articles, such as 10 Steps to Self-confidence, Seven Steps to Loving Yourself, 4 Steps to High Self-esteem and Greatest relief for stress: Take some time each day for yourself. I have appeared three times on News 12 on the talk show New Jersey Women and has had articles written about her efforts to help people with epilepsy. I have contributed time in helping people with epilepsy and making society more aware of the disorder. I have had epilepsy for 27 years.

I am now in the process of having my second book "Epilepsy and Pregnancy," published. Dr. Blanca Vasques is co-authoring my book. I have recently written a children's book called "my Mommy Has Epilepsy" Exceptional Parenting is reviewing the children's book for publication.

Sincerely,
Stacey Chillemi

Phone (908) 347-3580*

Email:
Staceychil@aol.com

You can find my website with samples of my work on:

http://www.authorsden.com/staceydchillemi

MY RESIDENCE INFO:

City: Manalapan
State/Country: New Jersey

BOOKS PUBLISHED:

Epilepsy You're Not Alone is an inspirational self-help book that teaches people with epilepsy how to live a healthy and productive life. The book shares encouraging stories and gives readers a workable program for coping with their disorder enabling readers to overcome their disorder and get on with their lives. Having to cope with epilepsy is tough. Many people with epilepsy feel as though they are alone. They feel they are trying to battle the disorder all by themselves. My aim in this book is to show readers how to live with epilepsy, empowering them to take responsibility for their life and well-being. Epilepsy Your Not Alone motivates people with epilepsy, urging readers to create their own unique journal by employing psychological and spiritual practices in combination with a variety of more traditional diet and exercise regiments. Epilepsy You're Not Alone teaches readers how to be their own designer, creating pathways to a fulfilling future. There is a whole world in front of you. This world has millions of opportunities just waiting for you to encounter. It does not matter what age you are. You can achieve anything you put your mind too.

Synopsis
Epilepsy You're Not Alone is an inspirational self-help book that teaches people with epilepsy how to live a healthy and productive life. The book shares encouraging stories and gives readers a workable program for coping with their disorder enabling readers to overcome their disorder and get on with their lives.

From The Critics
Lad - Star Ledger Newspaper
Chillemi is the author of epilepsy you're not alone, an inspirational book written for people living with epilepsy. Inspired by her own battles with epilepsy, Chillemi wrote a book to give those coping with the disorder greater self esteem, hope and motivation to continue living normal life's.

Print on Demand at Barnes & Noble.com - Kathleen Wells - Epilepsy You're Not Alone, 05/12/2000 Stacey was on their talk show New Jersey women sharing her experiences concerning epilepsy and her book.

Print on Demand at Barnes & Noble.com - Regina Mcenery - Epilepsy You're Not Alone, 08/19/1997 Stacey has a different attitude about life. No longer shy about divulging her medical history. She is now hard at work on a book about her condition, hoping to dispel some of the unfortunate myths that have made it difficult for epileptics to keep jobs and friends.

Print on Demand at Barnes & Noble.com - Jo-Ann Reccoppa - Epilepsy You're Not Alone, 05/17/2000 The vivacious young mother does not believe in self-pity. Rather, Stacey believes in helping herself, thereby helping others with epilepsy in the process.

Print on Demand at Barnes & Noble.com - Wyatt Olson - Epilepsy You're Not Alone, 05/09/2000 Stacey Chillemi knows how defeating epilepsy can seem.

Customer Reviews

A reviewer, A reviewer, July 26, 2004,
LEARNING TO COPE WITH EPILEPSY
A reviewer, someone who reads a lot of books. Epilepsy is a very hard disorder to live with emotionally, physically and mentally. Epilepsy Your Not Alone, shows you how to cope with the disorder, look at life positively and gives you the inspiration you need to get on with your life. I recommend it to people who have the disorder, family members and friends.

HI Stacey!
My name is Donna, and I just want you to know that I bought your book a few years ago and it was very encouraging to me, really did get a lot out of it. I'd recommend it to anyone else who has E, and their family members who'd want to understand what it's like to live with this condition. It surely does help to know we're not alone in this.

A reviewer,
GREAT BOOK!
I just finished your book Epilepsy; You're not Alone and thought I'd tell you how much I appreciated it. The positive attitude was very refreshing and a welcome change from the 'Why me?' stories that I read so often.

A reviewer,
Finally an epilepsy book from a personal perspective This book is an excellent self-help book from the perspective of someone who has epilepsy. All too often in books about epilepsy the point of view is that of a physician who personally does not deal with epilepsy on a day-to-day basis. It's nice to read what fellow epileptics have done in order to better cope with epilepsy. The personal accounts are inspirational.

Della Cruz Anchor/Reporter, Talk Show Host for News 12, February 11, 2002,
Editorial Reviews
'Life deals us many hard blows that we often don't expect. I admire the fact that someone like Stacey Chillemi was thrown a curve ball that may have knocked many of us down to the point where many of us may not have wanted to get back up, but she did. It wasn't easy but she possesses a determined spirit that won't let her give up. For that reason Stacey will go far and achieve whatever dreams she sets her mind to accomplish.'Della Crew

Your book has helped me
Your book has helped me so very much when I was at an extremely low ebb with this new world I'm facing. Thank you so much for letting me know where I can read more. I read your book, I wanted to focus on everything but seizures, get my mind off all this craziness, and I spent 3 hours doing a soul searching with all your guidelines and goals, issues, and concerns in your book. I have a plan in place, and I'm doing a weekly assessment of how the plan is being accomplished. Your book was such a lifesaver, I think God had a hand in pointing me to your book. Sorry I've gotten so wordy, here, but your book basically saved me.

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