Inspiration for
living with
Chronic Illness

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Daily Survival for Those with Chronic Illness

dwell on or attempt to solve all my problems at once; just focus 
on the piece that is today.  I can do something for several hours 
that would be difficult to even think about continuing 
for several months.

there is a purpose to this suffering; that it can be a source 
of meaning and growth for myself and others, though I may not 
always recognize the ways.  And it seems possible that this 
suffering will not be in vain, because of what may be some kind 
of existence beyond.

I am basically a 
worthwhile person, worth loving, despite my faults and limits.  
I deserve the efforts of others to help me through my illness.

too much from others at times.  Illness brings out and intensifies 
the small child in all of us.  And if I feel hurt when those who 
care for me cannot be there, it may help to remember that they have 
needs, frailties, and limitations of their own.  A lack of response 
does not mean that they are personally rejecting me.

little tolerance; I may cry; I may scream.  That does not mean that I
am less courageous or strong.  All are ways of expressing anger over 
this mess, of rightly mourning my losses.  Endurance itself is courage.

a little less concerned about the reactions or impressions of others.  
Maybe I can allow myself to feel a little less guilty or bad about what 
I did not accomplish or give.  Perhaps today I can be a little more 
gently toward myself.

- that I have had enough.  Down the line I will know if and when I 
have had enough, when I cannot push the limits any further.  I will 
have the right to choose to stop, without feeling that I am "giving up."  
But today I think I can deal with this illness.  Sorrow runs very 
deep, but I think I can rise again.

The drugs are powerful; the natural healing capacity of my body is 
powerful.  And who knows, perhaps there is healing power in my will 
to struggle, and in the collective love and will of others.

And I may still have some things left to contribute to the family of man; 
some light to add to the light.  Even now my endurance (however 
imperfect) is a gift, an inspiration for others in their struggles.

time for every purpose.  Pain, weakness and exhaustion may distort my 
senses and spirit.  Today, however, I can at least find some hope in 
nature's way, if not some master plan.  The chance are fairly good, 
and it seems worthwhile to hope that I will have some cycle of 
wellness yet.

Ways to Take Care of Yourself

Remember you CANNOT BE ALL TO ALL PEOPLE � Do your best and then leave it!

LEARN TO SAY NO! That is respecting yourself and your boundaries. So set good boundaries, think about it. If you do, people will feel comfortable in asking you for something, because they know you will say no if you must!

LEAVE WORK AT WORK, if at all possible! As Sark says, You need your "Re-Creation." Get in the habit of leaving work on time. Hey that is your time! If you don�t watch out for your time, it will slip away.

LISTEN TO YOUR MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT � AND RESPOND! Ask, "What is it I need? What is it I want?" Go for it!

PAMPER YOURSELF! You deserve it, so believe it. Take bubble baths, buy yourself a special treat, get a professional massage. Nurture yourself. If you always wait for someone else to nurture you, then you may feel bummed, when it doesn�t happen! Actually, if you aren�t fulfilled or content with yourself, then no one will be able to make you happy.

SCHEDULE REST INTO YOUR DAY! Take a nap if you need it! In Sark�s Book, "Living Juicy," my favorite topic of the week is on "napping." You can call me the "Nap King!" In college my apt-mates called me "Rip Van Winkle." At the time it made me mad, but now I know I love a nap when I need one. So when my body and mind are aching for a nap, I try to find the time.

SEEK THE SUPPORT OF OTHERS: No one said you had to be a one ranger! We were made to be in community. Call up a friend and ask for support. Make plans to do something with friends. If you need counseling, don�t be too proud. It is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength to ask for what you need! REALLY!

EXERCISE regularly and EAT WELL � this is the only body you have. In the Bible, our bodies are called a "temple," that�s a good image, maybe we can treat it as such!

LEARN TO LAUGH! Learn to laugh at ourselves, too. Norman Cousins said that 2 hours of laughing would keep him from taking pain medicines. We need deep, stomach aching laughter. Find things that make you laugh, and laugh out loud. It is contagious, you know!

CREATE A STRESS RELIEVING ENVIRONMENT: I love candles and aromatherapy. I wish I had more of the latter. Make your environment as conducive to alleviating stress.

GO THERE IN YOUR MIND, IF YOU CAN�T IN YOUR BODY: Imagine a place that would be a tranquil place for you. I have a picture of a waterfall, where I like to visit and swim at the bottom of. I imagine the sound of everything crashing around me, and then the peacefulness and laziness of dogpaddling. I found it waterfall hunting and swam in the cool pools and even went over the top of one waterfall into a deep pool. That was a very refreshing on a 90 degree day, especially at the time when my personal life in relation to stress was very high. What a way to get away!

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF! Do you always have excuses if you are late or things don�t work out the way you would like them to, or I you mess up? If we always blame others for our shortcomings, we may have a hard time saying "I am sorry" or "I messed up." Like being late for work for example, it is easy to blame the car, the stoplights, the alarm clock, etc and this just adds more stress than taking responsibility for our actions. If you admit to being wrong, just remember this doesn�t mean that you are a bad person, and if we can relearn this, it takes a lot of the stress off.

TELL THOSE CRITICAL VOICES IN YOUR HEAD TO GO TO�. WELL, TO SHUT UP! As SNL�s comedy skit Stuart Smally says, "You are good enough, smart enough, and doggonit, people like you!" That is a little corny sounding, but believe in yourself and just "be." If you live by lots of do�s and don�ts you may have a lot of critical inner thoughts about yourself. If we always live our lives feeling like "enough is never enough" or with perfectionistic tendencies, this feeds heavily into your stress. If you are like this, just remember� Your overdoing doesn�t make you who you are. You are a unique, good and special person. Believe it. Try not to be so hard on yourself.

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PERSONAL POWER - BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Author unknown

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HERE'S HOW I WORK THE 12 STEPS AROUND CFIDS/FMS.� (My opinions only!!� Take what you like and leave the rest.)� Tawna W.

�1. We admitted we were powerless over CFIDS/FMS -- that our lives had become unmanageable.

To me, this means that I cannot control my CFIDS/FMS. When I try to control it, it just doesn't work - I get frustrated and stressed. CFIDS/FMS has a mind of its own. This does NOT mean I am a victim of CFIDS/FMS, nor does it mean that I should shirk my responsibility in taking care of myself to the best of my ability. Basically, for me, step one is about honesty and getting out of denial. Note that step 1 says "WE", not "I". This means to me that I need to work with a fellowship of people who are supportive and recovering - one reason why I hang-out on CFS-L. And I need to work with medical professionals who support my recovery (no IAIYH doctors). Trying to recover all by myself just doesn't work...period.

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