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Newsfeed Post in blog Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Repost: Happiness Apr 7, 2021 | By Dr. Melanie Chandler, HABIT FL Director (@drmelaniechandler)Comment receiving replies
Happiness becomes much more elusive when you are ill day after day after day. I would love to do some volunteer work to bring meaning to my life, but I cannot do it because of illness. I have read many articles on happiness, but none of them address how to be happy when you are chronically ill. It seems impossible. You can't do the things you enjoy and you never feel well. I have also tried medications, but they don't work for me. If I got well tomorrow, I'd be the happiest person on earth.
Replies to "Happiness becomes much more elusive when you are ill day after day after day. I would..."
When I hit very low points, whether due to illness, pain, or situation, I resort to an old tool... It is a gratitude list. I have been using it daily for many months now to maintain a positive outlook as we work through Covid & continue to deal with everything life hands us.
Each morning and each evening, I list 3 things I am grateful for that minute - and focus on each for at least 10-15 seconds.
For example, during the complete Covid lockdown, when I couldn't see anyone, was in pain, and very lonely, one morning my morning list was:
I can breathe without struggle (sometimes an issue for me)
I can use technology to connect with people
I am enjoying my morning coffee
My evening list was:
I connected with people on Mayo Connect today
I was able to order and pickup the food I needed today
I went for a short walk and saw nature
This morning:
My hands are working today so I can type with minimal pain, doing safe, remote volunteer work
I have my windows open and am listening to the birds calling to each other
I can breathe without struggle (it was an issue for me yesterday)
My 4 year old grandson was struggling mightily during Covid with the isolation we worked on this with him as well.
It really is a matter of focusing on what we HAVE and CAN DO rather than what we have lost, or temporarily cannot do... I refuse to focus on my pain or my lungs - I use every therapy, exercise, rub, stretch, heat, cold, healthy diet, etc to minimize pain and to keep my lung infection under control.
I have a friend who cannot eat "real food" - only select foods completely liquified. She still enjoys sitting with us when we eat, remembering the tastes and textures, enjoying the aromas and the company - talk about seeing a glass as HALF FULL!
Sue
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I know how difficult this seems. I think the way is very small steps of gratitude. "Today I could walk or today so and so called or I remember a good moment in my life. Some days it may be that you felt the healing rays of sunshine or felt the comfort of the falling rain." Some times we are so consumed with what we can't do that we forget to concentrate on what we can do. Acceptance of our disabilities and the difficulties they bring to life goes a long way.