I'm a planner. No getting around it. I have a day planner that lives on my desk of my bedroom filled with homework due dates, important events and all sort of everyday reminders. I live to plan. But plans change, and there is nothing wrong with that. This is especially true for those with chronic illness. My plans and dreams five years ago, preDysautonomia look much, much different than my plans today. Often our plans are replaced by the Father's plans and just between you and me, even though I usually fight it, I would much prefer His.
2. Baths are your friends.
Okay, so this one is a little silly, but bear with me! Almost every day I take a bath, not because I am a clean-freak but because it makes me stop working, relax and do something for myself for a few minutes. Whether it is to cry, read your bible, listen to music or absolutely nothing, it is so important to have that daily time to relax and recharge.
Okay, so this one is a little silly, but bear with me! Almost every day I take a bath, not because I am a clean-freak but because it makes me stop working, relax and do something for myself for a few minutes. Whether it is to cry, read your bible, listen to music or absolutely nothing, it is so important to have that daily time to relax and recharge.
3. You are not your illness.
We, as a whole, love to label. Short, brunette, middle-class, educated, sick... all labels, But labels are not who we are. I am not my labels and I am definitely not my sickness.
4. Time is precious.
Learning that your future looks much different than you expected changes your perspective on many things, including time. Once unlimited, time begins to look limited and honestly, that's the scariest part. But because of the changed perspective regarding time, you learn to value every moment. Instead of putting off dreams or adventures, I've learned to live in the moment. That's right. This planner is becoming spontaneous.
5. You will lose friends.
This is a hard one. People I thought were my friends began to fade away when things became hard and girls I thought had my back were the ones spreading the rumors that I was pretending I was sick for attention. But honestly, were those people ever my friends in the first place? No. The people who were are the ones who are standing by me today. The ones who stuck to my side when I pushed away and loved me through every appointment, every test and every day- good and bad.
Learning that your future looks much different than you expected changes your perspective on many things, including time. Once unlimited, time begins to look limited and honestly, that's the scariest part. But because of the changed perspective regarding time, you learn to value every moment. Instead of putting off dreams or adventures, I've learned to live in the moment. That's right. This planner is becoming spontaneous.
5. You will lose friends.
This is a hard one. People I thought were my friends began to fade away when things became hard and girls I thought had my back were the ones spreading the rumors that I was pretending I was sick for attention. But honestly, were those people ever my friends in the first place? No. The people who were are the ones who are standing by me today. The ones who stuck to my side when I pushed away and loved me through every appointment, every test and every day- good and bad.
6. It's okay to not be okay.
This is the hardest one. You don't have to be a hero every day.
Great post! I love the first tip. I struggle sometimes with making sure God's plans are my plans, because that isn't always the case. Even though we know His are better, we are prone to be selfish and not see the big picture. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to qualify our plans as His! Thank you for your comment!
DeleteBeautiful post, I hope 2015 brings you many blessings!
ReplyDeleteYou too!!
DeleteThis is so, so good to read! People don't talk often enough about "invisible illnesses", and it needs to be talked about. I deal with one too. Actually, a lot of what you've written on your posts is very similar to what I have written as well. My blog is brand new though, so there's not much on it yet, haha. But I'm looking forward to continuing to read yours. It looks like yours is fairly new as well! But it's great...and you're beautiful :))
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Emily
chirpingsfromalittlesparrow.blogspot.com