.......7 hours later.....
Something weird happened to me at work today. I knew I felt tired but then I just felt like I was losing my ability to think clearly. I have been having some issues with the nerve endings in my body, for lack of another description. Anyway, I took some medicine for my issue and I don't know what happened but it completely wiped me out. I was literally talking to my boss and then the next thing I hear is, 'are you okay?' Anyway.... I came home and went to bed.
So today I am going to blog about finding joy in the midst of chronic illness.
Joy conjures up different visions for each of us. It is a feeling that can be simple or grand, experienced in a multitude of ways and occur when we least expect it.
I have a chronic illness. Some days I hardly notice it and other days it loudly lets me know it is alive and well. So how does one find joy in the midst of living with a chronic illness. Often, my focus becomes on managing pain and symptoms, and figuring out how to deal with things I never asked for.
Chronic illness can keep you from doing the things you want to do. Believe it or not, I wanted to work today. I have a lot to do!
Here are a few things I have learned:
- It is OK to Slow Down.
Chronic illness has a special way of reminding us that we need to slow down. Just to be clear, slowing down does not mean you have given up or you are letting your disease win. It simply means you are respecting where your body is right now and reaping the benefits. By slowing down, we can enjoy the moment we are in in its purest form.
- You MUST Practice Self-care
We are a busy society with very full schedules that generally don’t allow for self-care. Instead, we keep going until our bodies finally say, “no more.” At this point, a full flare takes over – our bodies amazing way of demanding we slow down and take care of ourselves.
Take today for instance... my boss said, you go home and rest. Your health is the first priority. I would want to push through... but he is encouraging and supportive. I am SO grateful for that.
Self-care is 100% necessary for everyone, but even more so when living with a chronic illness. At first it might selfish to set time aside for yourself. But keep at it. Soon, you will see that it not only helps your body, but also allows you to feel joy in ways you may never have experienced it.
A few simple self-care starter ideas:
Add five minutes to your daily routine to stop and just breathe
Step away from the computer/phone and thank one part of your body for the amazing work it is doing
Hug someone you love. When hugging them, really feel it. If you do, that amazing feeling will stay with you all day
I LOVE hugging!!! I also have a great friend that is good at reminding me of the importance of self-care. It is definitely NOT selfish - it is necessary.
- Find Gratitude
Finding gratitude while in pain takes time and patience with yourself. There have been plenty of times when I could barely walk.... however, at the end of the day, I tried to be grateful for making it through the day. While the pain was awful and I hate it- I made it through.
Recently we went to Australia and I do SO much walking. There were times I really hated it but I remembered that there was a time when I never would have been able to do all that walking. I am incredibly blessed and working on loving and appreciating my body even when it is in pain.
To me, gratitude is magical. When I reflect on one good thing that is happening, my mind instantly thinks of another one and then another. Feeling joy rather than anger is a much better place to be.
Start each day with two things you feel gratitude towards and before nodding off to sleep, remind yourself of two things from the day.
- Remember that chronic illness is only one part of your life
While your health condition may intertwine itself in all parts of your life, it is not your entire existence. Other things are still happening around you. Look for those things – a delicious meal, snuggling with your sweetheart, or laughing and/or playing with your grandchild. Feeling terrible all day every day takes a lot of work. Separate your illness, even for a short time, and feel the energy that comes from the joy remaining in other areas of your life.
- Find your purpose
When you know your purpose in life and you are making it happen, joy naturally follows. I am surprised at how many people don’t know their purpose in life. What I suggest is thinking about things that you are naturally drawn to repeatedly or the things that others complement you on. For some people, their purpose may be as simple as having a smile that turns other people’s days into beautiful ones.
Do you know your purpose? It changes as life brings us new challenges. When you find it, absorb all the joy that it brings with it.
- Lastly - and one of my favorites!!! Connect with people who find joy in your joy
One of the best feelings is when you share something wonderful, no matter how small, and the person you are sharing it with beams. They don’t try to compete with you or even feel the need to share something of their own. They just bask in your joy. Find those people, surround yourself with them, and then give that gift right back.
For all the wonderful people in my life that find JOY in my JOY - THANK YOU!!!!!
#JOYINMYJOURNEY
REMINDER - Joy is ever-changing. What brings you joy today may be different tomorrow. Keep searching for it. Keep spreading it.
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