For me, living with a chronic illness sometimes feels like I’m a tiny infant standing before a mean and ugly giant. It feels like I am defeated before I even begin. Like there is no possible way I can beat this monster. Ah, but there is!
Every day I don’t give in to defeat I claim victory. Some days this is easier than others. Some days I can go about my day as almost “normal.” Bu there are other days when I have to muster every ounce of strength and faith to know that victory is possible.
Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve found to win daily victory over this nasty giant. I hope you will find them helpful to you as well. Obviously you need to modify them to fit your needs and personal situation.
Find a supporter. Before I moved across the country I was blessed with a beautiful relationship. I met once a week with a wonderful woman who was both an encourager and a safe place for me. She was wise and gracious, gentle and strong. She would allow me to vent and share anything that was difficult and then she would lovingly get me back on the right track. And one of the most amazing things about this woman was that she allowed me to be an encouragement and support to her as well.
I knew that no matter how I was feeling, Donna would be faithful to meet with me weekly and pray for me daily.
Always take a positive step. Regardless of how difficult the day is you need to take at least one step forward … one positive step toward healing. During my most difficult times that step was a small one; I would take a shower. No matter how badly I felt, a shower would always make me feel a bit better. It would give me the energy I needed to refocus and take my medications. There were many days when that small step was the only step I could take that day, but at least it was a positive one and it gave me pride in knowing I had not been defeated.
Dress well. I’m not talking about wearing expensive clothes or keeping up on the newest trends. I’m talking about dressing like you feel well. When you feel sick it is easy to put on sweats to be comfortable. But what I’ve found is that when you dress dumpy, you feel dumpy and when you feel dumpy you act dumpy. So, take a few minutes to get dressed, even if it’s in jeans. Put on clothes that make you feel good about yourself.
One of my “tricks” is to wear bright colors. In fact, the worse I feel the brighter the colors I tend to wear. I have several orange, salmon and hot pink shirts and sweaters that I love. Not only do the colors themselves perk me up, but I often get compliments when I wear them. It’s amazing what a simple, “You look pretty” comment from someone can do for you when you feel anything but pretty.
Find your mental therapy. Find the thing you can do independently of others that helps bring you peace. It can be anything, taking a bath, going on a walk, reading a book, anything that works for you. My mental therapy comes in two forms, my journal and the ocean.
I try to journal each day, more often when I’m frustrated or feeling poorly. It is amazingly therapeutic and gives me a safe venue to get out my feelings and refocus on the positive. It’s also a great recording of my journey. I can look back and see the progress I’ve made over the years and relive the victories I’ve experienced.
My other form of mental therapy is watching the ocean. I get lost in watching the ocean. It is incredibly soothing and relaxing; putting me in almost a tranquil state. The endless ocean also reminds me how massive and powerful God is and how small and weak my health challenges are. It’s a great perspective.
Choose a Better Life ™ by Fighting for the Future. Don’t give in to the monster. Choose daily victory and defeat the giant one step and one day at a time.
Here are a few of my recent ocean pictures.
Standing at the tide pools not far from my home.
Taken from the underwater observation pod of a catamaran just a few miles off shore. (By the way, if you are ever in Southern California one of the most wonderful experiences is with an organization called Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari (www.dolphinsafari.com.) I’ll post video from my recent excursion with them shortly, but if you get the opportunity to go out with them, take advantage of it.)
Another picture taken from the bow of Captain Dave’s catamaran.
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