About the Book
The idea of appreciating life as it is may be new or even counterintuitive to some people. Appreciating has subtle shades of meaning, but I define it here as clarity and depth of understanding rather than evaluation. Synonymous with perceiving, recognizing, and realizing, it is the very opposite of denying, misinterpreting, and misunderstanding. It is simple, unadorned perception of whatever is, just as it is and nothing more. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is part of my life, not separate or somehow extraneous to the rest. It is only one of a great number of unforeseen and frequently challenging facets of human existence everyone encounters. Incorporating MS, as one of many unanticipated episodes in learning how to live fully aware, is my personal challenge. No matter what specific event, condition, or emotion I experience, I try to address it, without seeking more, less, or something other. I give it my attention and energy. In reviewing past actions, planning future events, or taking care of the business of today, I try to remember to see whatever I am experiencing just as it arises, free of conceptual overlays. I find that getting to the root of the matter is the essential element in understanding what is. My practice, of self-education through living, begins again and again with each new moment. This is where I need to engage with life. I can choose to spend my days wishing for something else, but that is not living the life I have and definitely not appreciating it as it is. The way anyone else chooses to live is theirs to enjoy or to endure according to his or her preferences. This tale is a record of my adventures. A profound exploration of life's lessons and choices we make along the way, Barbara Fleming's journey is one that offers a great deal of insight into how to find truth and happiness in our lives not by changing our scenery but by journeying deep within ourselves. Rational, informative, and lighthearted, her view is not only a realistic view of life with MS but a guide to weaving the philosophical, emotional, and physical aspects of life into a unifying whole regardless of your circumstances. Emphasizing compassion rooted in wise action over indifference, she opens up a kaleidoscope of uplifting emotions that engender an outlook on life that is full of potential, positivity, and shared wisdom. We as human beings share so many experiences that regardless of race, religion, political affiliation, or any other divisive label we use to separate ourselves from one another, we are connected and life is what it is-we are the ones responsible for the labels we assign. Including a general definition of MS, sources for further investigation, and a glossary of terms and abbreviations, she goes on to explain the method she used to come to terms with her disease as well as any other difficulty as it arises in her life. A straightforward overview of what might be, Fleming's second book presents a way of living that supports being fully present in every moment of your life. As comforting as a roaring fire on a wintry evening and as soulful as the soft sound of a boot crunching in the snow, her straightforward, practical, and accessible method is as simple as it is profound. Presenting a wisdom tradition that is non-theistic and a-religious, Appreciating Life As It Is: Living Well With Multiple Sclerosis will forever change the way you view your life and the world around you.
About the Author: Barbara M. Fleming earned a BA from William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, an MLS from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts, and worked toward an MBA at SUNY Binghamton. She has been a reference librarian, assistant library director, library director, art teacher, professional artist, author, and transcriber for retreat teachings of Lama Surya Das. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis thirty years ago, she has used her books Backwards Buddhist: My Introduction to Dzogchen and Appreciating Life As It Is: Living Well With Multiple Sclerosis to reframe her way of living well with both internal and external challenges by applying the view of Dzogchen, her practice path. Married for almost forty years, Barbara and her husband have two adult children and two Tibetan terriers, and make their home in midcoast Maine.
