Generally I have found when I speak openly and freely about my illness people see as complaining. We need outlets for coping and one of those is talking about what we experience. This proves to be highly therapeutic. People don’t understand when their lives haven’t been thrown into a whirlwind. Journaling has proven to be a great outlet when I don’t have an ear to bend. Journals don’t judge, or make faces. I like to compare my current feelings with my past feelings. I’m just appreciative I can be honest with who I am in different areas of my life.

Most of the time the focus is on ourselves, our pain, our emotions. Pulling positivity is so essential because as good people we want to encourage others. I’ve found on some of my worst days encouraging someone else takes my mind off (temporarily) my suffering. It’s important to remember, when you see great pictures off me on social media, I m still just surviving. My smile hides my anguish, and tears. I’m likely posting with 2-3 heating pads on each side. Fun times!

Having a reminder to do things with love is really important when battling a chronic illness. That’s forgotten due to the mental, emotional, and physical struggles. I find myself at times being angry, angry that I’m having to deal with something I can’t control or even figure out. I have to fight to love myself and get to know the new me. I have to fight to put extra love into others who don’t understand me. That’s ok, because it more happiness in giving of oneself than receiving from others. So today I choose to be happy and honest, honest with my limitations and ready to yield. I choose to continue to pour love into all I do, for Love Never Fails!

On my worst of days chocolate ice cream can usually cheer me up. The three spoons shown above stand for the foundation of survival when fighting a chronic illness. No matter how many wonderful gallons of deliciousness you have without these 3 fundamentals your icecream will have no taste, will be no comfort, will provide no joy. I strive to pull a piece of positivity out of each day no matter how bleak. I use my strenghth in humor to escape my dark thoughts and fight to see the rainbows and taste the icecream another day. How sweet it is!

As if living life with a chronic illness everyday isn’t challenging enough, throw in extra activities to juggle. I’m a homeschool mom of a rambunctious 10 year old. Each year that goes by proves more mentally and emotionally challenging as a teacher. I’ve considered putting him back in school but then I stop and consider why I took him out. The bigger picture is it’s not always about me and my illness. Sometimes my illness has to fit around life. This doesn’t mean there won’t be times I have to do school from bed. It means I have a huge priority in life to show up, and that in itself gives me more and more courage to fight.

I was reminded a few days ago to count my blessings not my trials. When you are busy fighting with a chronic illness that can be a challenge. We forget at times how fortunate we are,even in small things. Focusing the mind on positive can have healing effects, whether it’s emotionally or physically. I now try to find 1 thing in everyday I’m appreciative for. By reminding myself to be appreciative I m bringing extra joy in my life. Who can’t use more joy? The one thing I love about the quote above is- you may go through thunderstorm, at times hurricanes but a rainbow is sure to follow, and boy are they worth the wait.

I’d like to take the opportunity to dedicate this post to a dear person I lost last week. Janell Vallet was a fighter with a warrior spirit. I can only hope to be half the person she was. See you soon. There are times more often than not that you feel you are teetering on the edge of sanity. Whether it’s pain or emotional distress we’ve all been there. Our bodies react critically when the emotions hit the fan. This past week has been gladiator trials on my body, however willpower has kicked into overdrive. Does this usually happen? No! I’m so thankful to be able to swing on the edge of insanity to support people I love. Will I be be in bed for a week after? Most likely, we are going to cross that road when we get there. In the meantime I will bask in this glow of amazingness….

There really are days when I feel I have a small measure of control. I have positivity, stamina,and mental clarity. These things are priceless to chronic warriors. A few days ago I was diagnosed with yet another chronically painful issue. I felt extremely deflated at the beginning, thinking I just can’t bear one more thing. Then I realised how I’ve struggled to make it this far and I can continue doing so. Yes, the struggle will be harder but not impossible. Sometimes you have to remind yourself how truly valuable you are. When you make yourself feel good there are few things to destroy your determination and drive!

Sometimes we are so eager for relief that we will try almost anything. If someone told me hand stands would alleviate my pain I would try my best to pull one off. When I hear of supplements,  gels, or certain meds I reasonably consider giving it a try. I’ve come to a point now where I feel like my body rejects most things I send it’s way. It could very well be it’s not hitting the underlying issue. What things work for your chronic pain? Do you get extended relief? Inquiring minds would love to know. There an in depth conversation to be had with my doctor about my current pain situation. In the meantime, massage anyone?

I notice how much people respond to positivity and lightheartedness. Life is tough and full of anguish, we thrive at any moment of light and love. Truthfully, chronic warriors find little light everyday, not because we aren’t looking but at times we have a mental block filled with spaces of pain, depression, and anxiety. These are not things regular folk get and we know, we are just SUPER appreciative to those who bring light into our lives with little or no effort at all. It helps us to want to wake another day, push just a little harder, save those tears for another time. Yes, while chronic illness robs us of a lot of motivation,  it doesn’t rob us of the need for light and love. Thank you to the beautiful rainbows in our lives that serve as both. We love you more than you’ll ever know.