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ME/CFS Attitude – Find Thankfulness

11/20/2018

2 Comments

 
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When I sat down to blog about Thanksgiving, I looked at what I had written last year.  I can’t do a better job of expressing how I feel about this holiday and struggling with ME/CFS at the same time.  So here it is again:
 
Thanksgiving traditionally generates clichés about thankfulness.  The mantra basically goes like this:  Be thankful for what you DO have, not what is missing.  Most of us would agree with this outlook.  It is better to focus on the positive.  But it isn’t easy to do especially when you’ve been struggling with ME/CFS for a year or for 20 years.
 
When I was sick, I would allow myself to indulge in some self pity around this time of year but I knew that was totally unproductive and a waste of what little energy I had.  I would then get irritated with myself for my self-centered attitude and so just added more negativity to my load.  But it can be unfair to expect a person who is struggling with a body that can’t handle normal activity to be upbeat, positive and ultimately thankful.
 
So as the rest of the world around me went about their daily routines, I would look at my life and try to find something to be thankful for.  Mostly, I focused on the few people around me who understood what I was going through and supported me in large and small ways.  I made a point to tell them how much I appreciated what they did.
 
And after I let go of the negativity toward myself, I realized that I needed to appreciate the work I did all year long.  The work of getting well again.  Sticking to the snails pace recovery, following the protocol when I didn’t want to and being present in my life in whatever way I could realistically handle.

 
Are you finding things to be thankful for?  Please COMMENT on this blog or Send in your thoughts and I’ll post them with your permission.  You can use the Contact Form or send an email to Martha at DefeatCFS dot net.  And Guest Blogs are most welcome!

Look for a weekly posting on Tuesdays.  And consider being part of the conversation.

And for you and all of your loved ones,
I wish you a warm and Bountiful Thanksgiving,
Be Well Again,
Martha


2 Comments
Tim Boland
11/20/2018 02:50:25 pm

Yesterday I had one of those days, Martha, when I felt grumpy in the morning. Most of this comes from being upset that my body hurts, sometimes significantly more than at other times. The day before I went out photographing in the morning and had a wonderful time, and felt happy and very good on returning home. As the day went on though, I kept doing and doing, nothing major but I felt at the time this was not the wisest thing to do. And sure enough, the next day my body was more achy, tired, and this lends itself to my feeling irritable and not so happy.

So yesterday as the day wore on, I watched some old TV Westerns while reclining in my easy chair, simple tales of good values overcoming the bad in the world. Those old black and white series, some of them were marvelous, and watching them has a way of lifting my spirits.

By day's end I was feeling better and happier too. Eating my evening meal with a small portion of meat and lots of veggies always helps too. So I allowed myself to feel grumpy and irritable, knowing that I have things which I can do which will lift my spirits.

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Martha
11/20/2018 06:28:55 pm

We've all been there. Feeling good and continuing to do things ignoring the voice that says, maybe I'm doing too much. Then the predictable crash. Thanks for the reminder. Good strategies and recovery Tim!

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    After struggling with CFS for four years I am fortunate now to be fully well and making choices about how I want to live my healthy life.  One choice is to be an active part of the CFS community and to offer one voice from the fully recoverd to the dialogue.  I'm glad you're here!   For more about me, here's my Bio.

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