By Date:
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- August 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- February 2006
- January 2006
- December 2005
- November 2005
- October 2005
- September 2005
- August 2005
- July 2005
- June 2005
Home » Articles » Inspiration
Everything is brand new and waiting for you...and the chance to help you feel better
by Jenni Prokopy, the Editrix
Everything is brand new and waiting for you to enjoy. That's what I was reminded of yesterday, Father's Day, as I held a brand new baby in my arms.
Little Ezra Stanley Weisz is my newest friend, son of Sandy and Sarah. Isn't he just gorgeous? As I held him yesterday, watching the little faces he made and feeling him squirm into ever-more comfortable positions in my arms, I was struck by how lucky I am to be alive and witness such a miracle.
When we live with chronic illness, it's easy to get caught up in the every day crap—the pain, the exhaustion, the confusion, the depression, the endless doctor appointments, the constant explanations, the fear—it can all become too much to handle. (Or so we think.) It's easy to sink into it, to wallow, to just stay there...it becomes almost comfortable, or at least familiar.
But we have all these awesome things happening around us that have the power to pull us out of ourselves—if only for a moment—and help us feel better. I don't care how much pain I'm in: if Sandy or Sarah hand me that baby, I'm going to soak him in, enjoy his newness, appreciate how precious he is. And in that moment, I can forget all about my aches and frustrations, because all that really matters is that Ezra is comfortable and happy in my arms.
I KNOW you have similar opportunities in your life. There is power in distraction; it gets us out of our heads, allows us to have a better perspective on our situation. It reminds us that things could be worse. It gives us a break from the worrying and fretting we're such experts at.
Are you looking for those opportunities? Are you seeking out experiences that are new and challenging? Don't shrink from them, Babes—they have so much to teach us. It could be a new baby, or a new friend. The chance to try a new restaurant, or listen to a band you've never heard. Maybe it's as small as reading a new book, or as big as trying hot air ballooning. It's up to you!
We can spend the rest of our lives feeling sorry for ourselves and wallowing in our day-to-day illness-related crap. Or... we can choose to look around and see the wonders that life offers us and grab some perspective and enjoyment. The choice is up to you.
Much love and peace, Jenni
Posted: 6/22/2009 in Inspiration
Herbal tea tastes better in a ChronicBabe mug! (So does a frosty beer.) Buy yours today!
