Welcome to my blog, Toward the Within. Here, I share my writing, travel adventures and journey in recreating my life after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I often express my ideas in poetry, whether haiku or performance poetry.
Whether you are a traveler, writer, a person with a chronic illness, or just seeking a bit of hope or random information, you will find something useful in these pages. I reblog a lot and believe in supporting my fellow bloggers, so you will see a number of posts from various sources mixed in.
I began this blog during a visit to Rome, Italy. Honestly, I thought that once I left Italy, my blogging life would also come to an end. Apparently not, but I’m glad for it.
My personal catchphrase is: there is always a path to be found…You just simply have to choose to seek it and walk it.
Thank you for taking the time to visit!
D.
P. S. For business inquiries and blog collaborations, I am best reached via email: diedreblake@gmail.com.
P. P. S. If you want to know a bit more about the formal me and this site, then click the following link: General Information, Copyright and Disclaimer.
Toward the within... 
hey I came to your blog from Neecy’s Nest, I like some of the stuff that you are kicking on here. You seem to be a very interesting person
Thanks so much! 🙂 I am really glad that you appreciated my words. Also, thanks for the compliment!
I appreciate your “liked” on one of my Writing 101 posts, “Don’t Stop the Rockin.” I, too, suffer from Fibromyalgia and was diagnosed with the conditioning 1996, three years after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I utilize positive diversions and distractions as self-mangement tools to control my pain levels. Though, I am not a writer blogging is one of them. Thanks so much for entering my blog space. Sending you an open invitation.
Hi Diedré, I found your blog through a tweet from OM on Twitter and I wanted to check it out. I’m glad I did, I look forward to reading your tweets. Steph
Hi Stephanae! Thank you so very much for taking the time check out my blog and also reading my tweets! 🙂
You’re welcome Diedre! Have a wonderful day!
Hi Diedre. I didn’t know much about fibromyalgia, so I’ve just looked it up. My husband was diagnosed with polymyalgia a year ago, and is on medication to help. Apparently that condition lasts only two years (oddly!) whereas fibromyalgia seems to last for life. I’m not sure how different these two conditions are, but I can understand how difficult it must be to live with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Best wishes to you. Millie
Many thanks, Millie. 🙂 Sorry to hear that your husband is having to deal with polymyalgia. I’m glad, however, that it will be for a finite period, and that he has only another year to go. Wish you both the best as well. D.
Hi! I love how informative and great your articles are. Can you recommend any other Spiritual Awakening blogs that go over the same topics? Thanks a lot!