tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post1714915500156988321..comments2023-11-02T09:34:05.941-04:00Comments on The Seated View: 5 Gifts that Come from Chronic Illness - Guestpost & GiveawayLene Andersenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11223128667829847717noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-43689930511355215792013-08-12T00:47:40.350-04:002013-08-12T00:47:40.350-04:00I love the (I assume it's a) typo. Congenial d...I love the (I assume it's a) typo. Congenial disorder. It's so fitting. Chronic illness over time grants one the space and ability to be able to speak with people straight to the heart of who we and they are. For many people, it is so rare to find others willing to be vulnerable and strong at the same time, reachable and reaching out. And yet we who have what they would never want to have to deal with are the ones who get to learn better how to be and do that.AlisonHhttp://spindyeknit.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-73229057201249926122013-08-10T21:36:39.345-04:002013-08-10T21:36:39.345-04:00Having a chronic illness has given me the gift of ...Having a chronic illness has given me the gift of grace (for myself and for others). Due to my chronic illnesses (yes, like many of us I'm "blessed" with several...), there are days I don't feel well and just can't tackle my to-do list. As a stereotypical Type A, I've had to learn to give myself grace and not push myself to hard. But what's more, its made me more understanding of others and given me the opportunity to practice grace for them. Grace is something we all need at times and my illness continues to teach it to me. Daniellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-24869823255162016972013-08-09T19:42:49.931-04:002013-08-09T19:42:49.931-04:00Having a chronic illness has given me the gift of ...Having a chronic illness has given me the gift of compassion for others. I never knew what it was like to have chronic pain and have to go to the doctor and take lots of medicine and have tests done until I was diagnosed with RA and fibromyalgia. Now I have so much more compassion for the elderly and handicapped who are living with limited mobility and chronic pain because I am seeing a small piece of what they live with daily. I want to be a help to them because I know what they are going through.Michellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-53447779539142737082013-08-09T01:33:57.760-04:002013-08-09T01:33:57.760-04:00I've learned to LOVE myself, even under these ...I've learned to LOVE myself, even under these circumstances. My health issues have changed my daily life since 1997. I have learned that even the smallest of things can make my day as long as I celebrate my victories and don't woe over that which I didn't accomplish.Wendy Lewis, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00431780964479567726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-20484456486236630942013-08-09T00:54:26.023-04:002013-08-09T00:54:26.023-04:00I've learned to appreciate the little things.....I've learned to appreciate the little things...a beautiful sunset, time with family & friends, a bit of spinning &knitting thrown in.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18016792055592749456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-75793759712638979782013-08-09T00:24:52.063-04:002013-08-09T00:24:52.063-04:00Before I had RA I was a classical singer and piani...Before I had RA I was a classical singer and pianist, on hiatus while having my first babies. When the RA hit me hard in my wrists after my 3rd pregnancy, I could no longer play the piano. I did a little solo and choral singing, but driving became difficult. After my 4th pregnancy (which produced my 2nd surviving child), I fell in love with folk music, but didn't think I could do it myself because I couldn't bend my wrists around a guitar or banjo fret board and I had a high, classical voice. Then I discovered the autoharp, then the dulcimer, then the kalimba (thumb piano)and finally the psaltery, all instruments that didn't require a bent wrist. For nearly 40 years I earned a living as a folk singer.I realized one day early on in my career that it was truly the blessing of RA that sent me down that path.Classical musicians have to excel at their precise craft with very little room for originality , and nobody wants to hear you unless you are perfect; folk music can be more forgiving-a distinctive voice quality, a warm personality, and great songs (sometimes your own, sometimes other folk song writers)are the key to success. I had a blissful career that lasted until my 68th year, and still, at 80, sing a song or two once a year with my professional folksinger daughter, whose grown son is also a performer.So the gift has been passed down to two more generations, with great appreciation of the music from all the non-performing family members, even the budding opera singer. Lyn Burnstinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-11628666943211109252013-08-08T07:35:20.546-04:002013-08-08T07:35:20.546-04:00No doubt your site is amazing and I really like it...No doubt your site is amazing and I really like it. Nice writing, you are doing great effort, your way of writing is unique. Love this site.<br />Urdu Novelshttp://pakistaniurdunovels.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-69221057657670228922013-08-07T19:31:05.521-04:002013-08-07T19:31:05.521-04:00The biggest gift I got after my diagnosis was fami...The biggest gift I got after my diagnosis was family..My children moved back closer to home and visit more often with the grandbabies..Even on my bad days my babies can always make me smileDarlen S.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-57953286628141551132013-08-07T15:46:25.566-04:002013-08-07T15:46:25.566-04:00The gift chronic illness has given me is patience,...The gift chronic illness has given me is patience, with myself more than anything. Raised in a pull up your boot straps kind of family, I had a hard time being kind to myself. I fought everything about RA and paid for it later. Today I'm more content to let things slide and worry less about what others may think of me. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-79894136389768813742013-08-07T14:43:39.740-04:002013-08-07T14:43:39.740-04:00Sympathy - - not the kind where you need a tissue...Sympathy - - not the kind where you need a tissue to wipe away tears, but sympathy that is akin to empathy. While I had been 'limping' along with Fibromyalgia and Connective Tissue Disease feeling pretty sorry for myself, my eyes were opened to the pain my husband was enduring when he was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis,Psoriatic Arthritis, and Ankolosing Spondylitis! It didn't become a "misery loves company" relationship but rather recognizing Jim's diagnosis added a new 'level' to our 44 year old marriage and we could understand each other better than we ever had before. Empathy.....that's it .... empathy.Karennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-25454151090567215302013-08-07T14:20:22.195-04:002013-08-07T14:20:22.195-04:00My greatest gift has been learning to truly enjoy ...My greatest gift has been learning to truly enjoy my family. LIfe is too short. With my daughter and family 5,000 miles away and my son 2,500, I treasure the time I spend with them. No worries about appearances or expectations, only admiring and experiencing the amazing people they are.<br />Cris PeacockPhil and Crishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456009287425338873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-42634062516715705422013-08-06T15:16:06.890-04:002013-08-06T15:16:06.890-04:00Learning the power of the word 'No".
Find...Learning the power of the word 'No".<br />Finding my happiness from self-assessment, not the false beliefs of others who try and judge my capacity for activity.<br />Appreciating and treasuring the moments I can spend giving to my partner, as well as the time he spends helping me care for myself.<br />I have always been a bit too independent. That had to change as my illness progressed. In return, I gave me an appreciation for those moments I can reach out to my partner with whatever support I CAN share with him. It helps tremendously to make receiving his care a thing I am thankful for instead of a thing I wish weren't necessary.<br />I also have learned to have many fewer moments of frustration. It still happens, but much less often. Relaxing into a moment instead of ineffectively thrashing toward a (currently) unattainable goal is something that makes life much better on a daily basis.<br />Diana Troldahlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995861214213617151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-15194827662646098702013-08-06T12:24:00.528-04:002013-08-06T12:24:00.528-04:00A gift I've received is a renewed love of read...A gift I've received is a renewed love of reading for pleasure. Before ME, I read 2-3 books a year. Now that I don't have to reads tons of stuff for work, and have many days when reading in bed is the most strenuous activity I can do, I've started reading novels. I enjoy it immensely. Vickiehttp://thefinishline.infonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-81273729737124895652013-08-06T08:38:04.621-04:002013-08-06T08:38:04.621-04:00I've been able to meet many people through RA ...I've been able to meet many people through RA who I would never have run across had I been more healthy. In fact the job I switched to and did for the past 20 years was a result of my decreased ability to expend physical strength when I was working. I ended up in a job that gave me more control over my life, more interesting puzzles, and great clients and workmates. These people, in addition to those who have an "illness connection" has been very enriching.<br /><br />For example I never would have met you, LeneAnnettehttp://yourgoldwatch.blogspot.ca/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-37878922644976592972013-08-06T01:42:40.380-04:002013-08-06T01:42:40.380-04:00Having a chronic illness has given me the gift of ...Having a chronic illness has given me the gift of empathy. Because I know how greatly illness can affect every aspect of my own life, I'm more able to understand others and find ways to meet them halfway. I don't leap to judgement. I listen. I put myself in others' shoes. <br /><br />If not for RA, I might not have such empathy for others. It has made me a better person.L."Wren" Vandeverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03587456557210335403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-538658658007725362013-08-05T19:34:00.369-04:002013-08-05T19:34:00.369-04:00I was given the wonderful gift of time to be with ...I was given the wonderful gift of time to be with my sons as they went through middle and high school. Prior to when I had to stop working, both my husband and I worked evenings and weekends plus my husband was in school. Things were always rushed. When I stopped work, I had time - time to listen, time to talk, time to let friends come and hang out. I'm very limited in what I can do, so I wasn't thinking about what came next. Now that they are parents themselves, we are still close and I have a wonderful store of memories. And every so often, one of their friends will tell them "Your mother was the only adult who would listen to me." I'm blessed to have been given that gift.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08668552217656879533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-51529393040133252822013-08-05T15:15:40.596-04:002013-08-05T15:15:40.596-04:00I have received many gifts of awareness since my d...I have received many gifts of awareness since my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Prior to diagnosis, I believed my worth was tied to my accomplishments and reputation. I have since learned that my worth is intrinsic and cannot be established by external markers such as my bank balance, achievements, or how many tasks I do in a day. I have also found more inner strength then I ever thought possible. As my profession and many friends have fallen away, I have enjoyed a closer relationship with God. The fruits of this relationship are peace of mind, acceptance of myself, and a humility about life's twists and turns. I have a greater awareness that love is to be shared in all circumstances and this I find to be the ultimate gift.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-86710150626126562162013-08-05T12:53:58.776-04:002013-08-05T12:53:58.776-04:00There are so many things I could list, but I think...There are so many things I could list, but I think the most important is finding true friends. When you become ill so many people fall by the wayside and what you are left with are the real core of people who you can trust, who will go that extra mile to come and visit you and help when you are stuck at home with no way of changing a light bulb. Before I got ill, I assumed all my friends were true. Now I KNOW.Chrissyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13254578516714017969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12707009.post-68331851926644723082013-08-05T11:36:43.576-04:002013-08-05T11:36:43.576-04:00To care for myself - I had never prioritised my ow...To care for myself - I had never prioritised my own needs above others including those of my bosses.<br /><br />Now every second Monday, I ensure I limit any work ( it is officially my non working day - so I'm not completely there with my prioritisation) and I have a range of massages and beauty treatments, coloured nails make me smile each day and the massages really help.<br /><br />I also make sure that I do not waste effort on what I cannot influence - agonising over the worry of others in cases when I can't help is probably a driver for my disease.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729087530914285219noreply@blogger.com