Nothing real jolly about chronic illness. But when that is where you are, one of the best ways to dig out of the hole is finding some contagious joy. I don’t even care if it is pictures of this
NO, I am not saying to stop taking your “medicine.” Whether a doctor has you on prescription meds or you are on a protocol of natural supplements, NO, I am NOT saying to get off of them. I am talking about a mind medicine that cannot be found in a pill.
Others Contagious Joy
In the middle of chronic illness, it is hard to muster up your own joy all on your own.
Take note of who you have in your life. Do you have any fruit-loopy friends or family who are just nutty and fun to be around? Whether they understand your illness or not, they can be VERY useful to your recovery.
Who “feeds” you joy when you are around them? Who “nourishes” your soul to be in their presence? Spend time with them because it truly is CONTAGIOUS.
Our brains get wired to our thinking, our environment, and our physical state AND THE PEOPLE WE HANG OUT WITH. We have control over our choices. Well, to some degree. When we are chronically ill, we lose a lot of our “control.” But you know what I mean. No excuses, do what you can at any given moment to make joyful choices.
The “Sky is Falling” Mentality
I know, it is hard not to have any fear or any panic during chronic illness. As the months and years of illness click on, you have tons of opportunity for practicing this one. LAUGHING at how totally ridiculous the situation is, is good for you.
Can you imagine what a different experience you would have if you could be laughing while you are barfing in your bed, wobbling to the bathroom, passing out on the bathroom floor, waking up wondering WHAT THE HECK!! It takes practice to get there, trust me.
I know how absurd this sounds. After decades of Lyme and other diseases from early childhood, I can safely say that the times I laughed instead of cried… I recovered from the physical drama faster.
It Takes Enthusiasm To Kick Illness
It’s just time for some of you to kick some bum!!!
Pull on the resources of others “contagious joy” to create some enthusiasm inside of YOU.
With that new enthusiasm, you will feel some momentum. Use it to kick some bum. To move down the path. To get a bit farther on your healing journey instead of getting stuck. It may take many rounds of this, but each one counts toward
The more enthusiasm you have, the more you can work your way through chronic illness. It takes stealth energy to move through illness and every mind trick helps.
Don’t you want to be one of the ones that something exceptional happened to? Not everyone makes it through chronic illness and on a healing path. It requires hard work on many levels. The Cycology of Chronic Illness is a tool for your mindset.
I really do know how bad chronic illness stinks. I know how impossible the situation feels. I know how catastrophic it all is on our health and the depths of it. I do not like swear words but during the depths of my illness, I decided I was going to use them to express myself more clearly. SUCKINESS of Chronic Illness ended up being a fun way to say, “THIS SUCKS.” It is FREE.
If you need a 5-minute pity party, go for it. Then find some contagious joy to work your way THROUGH this, kicking bum!!!!
HEALTH COACH DISCLAIMER: Health/Wellness coaching is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. It is not intended to substitute for the advice, treatment and/or diagnosis of a qualified licensed professional. Trained and certified Health Coaches may not make any medical diagnoses, claims and/or substitute for your personal physician’s care. As your health/wellness coach I do not provide a second opinion or in any way attempt to alter the treatment plans or therapeutic goals/recommendations of your personal physician. It is my role to partner with you to provide ongoing support and accountability as you create an action plan to meet and maintain your health goals.
This truth is SO vitally important! Reminds me of this:
“A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
(Prov 17:22).
A very wise, uplifting post. Much love, grace, and peace to you, Maribeth!
Love YOUR cheerful heart and sweet words. Good choice of scripture. Jesus always makes me smile!!
Aw thank you Maribeth! And meee tooo!! :) :) :)