keep going

Anyone can give up. It's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.
—Unknown

Keep going. One step at a time. You are stronger than you think you are. While you are holding it together, make sure you find things that make you feel good. Music, a friendly phone call, a TV show, something simple. Remember to stop and breathe. Keep up the good work!

handling

I like this change to the old adage:

God doesn't give us what we can handle, God helps us handle what we are given. - unknown

Even, or especially, in difficult times, I lean on God and I feel supported. I feel understood and loved. Most of all, God gives me the feeling that everything is going to be okay no matter what challenge I must face.

disappointment

Scientists are coming up with new things all the time. I thought I had found one I was excited about. Tecfidera was actually giving me more energy and strength. I have not had that from any medication other than steroids. The medicine only claims to reduce relapses and maybe slow disease progression, but I found more than that. Things that have been difficult for me for a while started to get easier. My muscles worked just a little bit better.

It is with utter disappointment that I had to discontinue Tecfidera. Digestive problems that can be a side effect got worse the longer I took the medication. For most people, they claim the side effects get better as your body learns to tolerate the drug. My body was not so lucky. I do hope to try the medication again with only half the dose, but I am not optimistic. The stomach discomfort I experienced left me pretty miserable.

Sadly, as the days went by after I stopped the Tecfidera, my difficulties returned. That was the most frustrating. To have some improvement and then see it disappear left me very disheartened.

I was angry for a while. Now though, I am having faith that the scientists will come up with something better. Being patient is the tricky part.

If you are not happy with your disease modifying therapy, talk to you doctor about Tecfidera. If it helped me, I'm sure it will help others. Good luck!

within you

Peace and happiness begin within you. Take some time to figure out what makes you happy. Then, every day spend a little time doing just that. As we feel happy, we will spread that feeling to people we meet. Each person we influence goes on to influence more. The more happiness each individual feels, the happier and more peaceful the world will be.

What makes you happy? Make a list or a picture and think about those things a little every day.

bring on the joy!

I like these words by Neale Donald Walsch:

How much joy are you experiencing in this moment?
How much joy are you bringing to this moment?
The joy you experience will be the joy you bring.

I'm usually pretty good at this.  Wishing it was always so easy.

the mind

The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of Hell, and a hell of Heaven. - John Milton

This idea is very appealing to me. No matter what our circumstance, it is all in the way our mind perceives the situation. I wish that I felt more in control of my mind. I can have the same experience on Monday and Tuesday and I may struggle on one day or simply take it as it comes on the other. I wish I could figure out how to “simply take it as it comes” every day.

I must say that living with my disability is a certain type of hell. Yet there is no way I want to live my life feeling like I am in hell. I cannot change my disability, but I can focus on the many wonderful things in my life.

I keep this at the top of my "to do list" as a reminder: I am grateful that I am strong, healthy & comfortable. I take good care of myself & others. I am grateful for my happy family & friends, and the beautiful home & community in which I live. It isn't puffy white clouds, angels and harps, but it is a very wonderful life.

I wish that you may find a way to view your life as heaven.

strengths

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

What keeps you going through your struggles? I have God, my husband, my sister, a very devoted friend and lots of other loved ones. I wish my struggles would end so I could just enjoy my strengths. There must be more for me to learn as I take my life with MS one day at a time.

What strengths have you discovered about yourself? Wishing you support through whatever struggles you have.

patience

A friend of mine taught me this saying: patience is a virtue, possess it if you can, seldom in a woman but never in a man. I don't like being sexist, whether there is truth in this or not.

I have strong feelings about patience. Everyone possesses some amount of it. We have different amounts for different activities. As a teacher, I had a lot of patience for my students who were struggling with various learning disabilities. I did not have much for my body when my MS symptoms arrived. It is one of the concepts I have learned a lot about over the 20 years since my diagnosis.

I believe patience is a skill that can be practiced. Like yoga or meditation the more you practice the better you get. It is important to remember though that patience is not something you acquire and you are done. It needs to be practiced every day. Some days it comes easier than others. Some days require it more than others. When facing a difficulty, we need more patience, but it is often harder to summon. That is when you get the most practice.

Here are some lyrics I sing to myself when I'm trying to be patient: 1– by the Beatles, "Nowhere Man don't worry, take your time, don't hurry"… 2– by Simon and Garfunkel, "slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning (moment) last." I am still practicing, but I have got techniques that help.

Wishing you patience when you need it!