I would never say that I’m grateful to have chronic health issues, but there are blessings that can come out of challenging health, if you know where to look.
Here are my top 10:
- Acceptance. Acceptance is one of the most important skills we can cultivate. It is inevitable that sometimes life will refuse to go the way you had wished or planned. Illness teaches flexibility and openness that are true assets in a variety of challenging situations.
- Self-confidence. When you look different, stand different or have different abilities than others, you learn to gather your self-esteem from a deeper place. Your external capability and health cannot touch the value you have at your core.
- Vulnerability. With your doctors, caretakers and loved ones. You have to put your shield down and let others in. I just saw Brenѐ Brown on Super Soul Sunday (amazing); she confirmed the just how vital vulnerability is, even to experiencing joy.
- Getting taken care of. Sometimes it’s nice to have dinner made, the house cleaned and your meds sorted for you. Even a fuzzy snuggle from a favorite pet. I don’t use my “illness free pass” too often, but it is nice when it’s offered.
- New options. Sometimes illness takes you down a different road than you desired. Many times that is even better than what you were intending. I never would have discovered a passion for adoption had my ability to become pregnant been compromised.
- Live by your values. Getting sick is a prompt to ask life’s big questions and then live by your answers. Living your values is a huge byproduct that comes out of illness.
- Noticing the small things. Gratitude tends to show up in the small things when illness prompts your life to slow down. I have never been more grateful for a hot shower than when I’m in pain.
- Focusing on a healthy lifestyle. Illness will prompt you to revamp your diet, get more active, learn which supplements to take and decrease your stress. You might even learn to meditate. That’s a win all around.
- Become more adventurous. There is no time to waste. This life is it. The bucket list is waiting. Get a job you love, skydive, travel, write the book, learn to paint (or dance). Illness puts a fire under your rear that is filled with gratitude for being alive.
- Strength. You are stronger than you know, way stronger.
What are you grateful for?
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