I keep telling you, I am not funny. Having fun does not have to be comedic talent. Instead, it can be a willingness to see the humor in
Crash and burn! During my awful years of chronic illness, stuck in bed, alone, sad, depressed, I lost all sense of fun. It simply is not fun to be ill. Anyone with chronic nuerological Lyme knows its devastation.
But fun remains inside us even when it is squashed by circumstances of illness. Want me to prove it?
When all of us were children, we innately knew how to have fun.
So I know it is in all of us. Might be hiding way deep in the shadows during illness but with some effort it can be found.
How, you ask? Not real sure I have that answer (remember, I was not very successful at this).
What I do know is that any effort toward trying to find the fun path is worth it. It changes the make-up of our brains which leads to better health. And we are easier to get along with!!
Last week I was able to take my very first trip after years of chronic illness. It was physically challenging but I found my unique pace and got rolling. Each day got a little easier, in part, because I chose to make it fun instead of hard work.
It took several days to reach my destination. I practiced going slow. Only carrying what my heart could handle. Being grateful that I could carry anything at all. Laughing when I would trip or my roller suitcase would roll down the street when my back was turned. Yes, that actually happened.
What struck me was that someone else called me fun. Yes, someone actually described ME as fun. Not sure that has ever happened before.
I was so much “fun” that a young desk clerk decided to upgrade my room. It was an apartment, not a room. And a view that made my heart happy. I did not know it until I checked out, but she had written her reason for the upgrade was that I was a “fun guest.” Okay, so this is not comedy stage fun but this is exciting stuff for me.
It felt like it was a reward for the effort I had put forth. A sincere smile for everyone I encountered and a skip in my step, no matter how slow the step was.
I realize that most who are chronically ill cannot make such a trip. In time, hang on. We are all at different stages of this illness/healing journey.
You have an opportunity to fare better than I did by being on a fun path. Find the fun in anything little that you can. Laugh at yourself and the utter ridiculousness of the situation. The days roll better when we are laughing.
No, you will not find humor in every day of your illness. It is a tough road. But when we actively look for things to laugh at we can face
Cycology = psychology on wheels
Rolling through chronic illness the very best we can!!
