Ever have one of those people in your lives who every time they talk, you feel like God is talking through them! Well, I had one of those today. Thank you, friend, if you are reading this.
So here it is: We live in a rushed culture that values, above all else, productivity. However, what really brings joy and meaning to life is just being! BUT, how do you just be when you are agonizing in pain, much less, how do you take on one more step???
Take a few moments to meditate. Are you supposed to take on a new step, or are you supposed to rest? You are the only person who can answer that, although, I have had some times during meditative prayer where I sensed God telling me to rest. Sometimes we are just supposed to rest and do nothing. Sometimes, the thing we are supposed to do is to simply follow the doctor's orders, and some days, that is physically more exhausting than any eight hour job. Whether we are taking on a new step, like reducing one cup of coffee a day, trying a new prescription, or whether we are learning to rest and be (not do), we must do those with self compassion.
Self Compassion says: I have value. I do not have to be perfect. I am working really hard. I am lovable, capable, and worthwhile just the way I am. As a Christian, I believe that all life has value because God created it in His image. Humanists believe that all life has value because we are human. Some groups do not believe that all humans have innate and equal value. I do not think any of us would survive chronic illness though if we did not believe that we have immense value regardless of how much we do or produce.
Listen to your body, listen to your spirit. Listen to your doctor. Listen to your heart. With everything you do, treat yourself the way that God would treat you. Treat yourself as good as you would treat others.
Find the list of things that bring you comfort. Embrace those things daily. Speak loving truth to yourself.
I have 3 stuffed turtles in my bedroom. They remind me daily that I am not supposed to do things quickly. I am supposed to be in turtle mode. I am a great turtle, and it is okay to be a turtle. I embrace my inner turtle and remind myself not to judge my inner turtle.
So, with any tips that I throw out there, check with your body, with God, and with your doctor, and embrace your inner turtle. It is your turtle that allows you to climb mountains, whether that mountain is a full time job or working on your physical therapy or trying a new prescription. When you live with chronic illness, sometimes just getting through the pain until pain meds kick in is a mountain. Love your body and your spirit enough to only do what is healthy for you to do. Embrace your inner turtle with lots of self compassion.
To my friends who are not able to do much of the things you would like to do, please know, you are our heroes! I am awed that those who are the most disabled are often those who are the most compassionate, encouraging, inspiring, and truth speaking. You have a very powerful influence and contribution that you make daily! Specific people come to mind. They are people like my friend who was so helpful in her honesty today or my cousin who frequently inspires others with her facebook posts. She's open and honest about her pain but inspires others with her transparency of the good and bad things in her life. They are people who speak truth to us in love and people who live out authenticity. Those moments inspire the rest of us to dare to be transparent and to admit we need others. For me, they help me admit that I need God, and they give me permission to be self compassionate. So, thank you friends and family who are transparent with your needs and symptoms.
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