I learned something this
week.
I learned that even good habits
won’t always save a person from an “uh-oh.” If you don’t know what an “uh-oh” is,
it’s what toddlers and grown-ups alike say when we do something accidentally. As
my 18-month-old niece Emma would say as she jabbers away and accidentally drops
her toy, “Uh-oh”.
We make choices for our lives
all the time and when we find something that is helpful, we like to stick with
it. That’s why so many people go on diets or exercise. Because going on a diet
or exercising is good for our bodies. Many times, we realize that we’ve gained
weight or feel sluggish and decide we want to better ourselves.
That’s what happened to me 8
years ago. I found out the causes to my health problems. I was bedridden at the
time and wanted answers. When I received those answers, I also learned ways to
regain life back. Through moderation I have gotten rid of the bedridden life
and have gain a “normal” life. I can walk without needing to hold onto the
wall. I can work more than 4 hours without having to go home exhausted and
sleep the next 14 hours. I don’t walk around with ear plugs in my ears, sunglasses
covering my eyes, or cringe at every smell that my senses would sense anymore.
Although there are days I randomly,
and I mean randomly feel like passing out. They have lessened. And gratefully I
don’t pass out anymore. I do have times when I’m working and my hearing goes
out, I begin to sweat profusely, I struggle to breathe, and although I feel lightheaded
and feel like I’m going to pass out, I don’t literally pass out anymore. And
thankfully I haven’t. I can’t imagine cleaning someone’s house and they find my
fallen over on the floor. Thankfully all my clients are very nice people and
would probably help me up.
For the most part though I’m
pretty healthy.
I don’t talk much anymore
about my health now-a-days. I don’t go to Doctors every week anymore. I don’t
require physical therapy to help me walk anymore. I haven’t had a surgery in
years. So many things have changed in the past 8 years. One reason is that I’ve
stabilized and have found a balance of food, exercise, positive thoughts and
attitude to help moderate my life. And with those treasures I am able to move
forward, to work, to laugh and have fun, to enjoy life again.
But this past weekend I had
an “uh-oh.”
Accidentally I ate three
foods I’m allergic to all in one setting. I didn’t think to ask what was in the
sauce I was eating. I’ve been able to moderate my health issues pretty well. So
much so that I’ve stopped asking what people put in their food.
Not smart I know, I know.
This week I remembered how serious my health
issues are. After eating these three foods I’ve had trouble breathing,
swallowing and digesting all week. Now don’t go freaking out on me with your
assumptions. I have taken my medicine and used other herbal remedies that help
me. Yet, this week has still been hard. Due to accidentally eating foods that I
am allergic to, it’s been really hard. I’ve struggle to breath and take deep
breathes. I’ve struggled to get that feeling of something stuck in my throat
out. I’ve struggled with an appetite because my stomach is now bothered by what
I eat.
Yet, no one knows this except
the few people I’ve told. My family, friends, and clients would never know
unless I told them. Why? Well, when I first got sick, I was really discouraged
and depressed for a time. My thoughts were all negative, I easily complained,
and I wanted my “normal” life back.
Thankfully that time of life
didn’t last long, but it taught me a valuable thing. I may and probably always
will have some sort of health issues. (Seriously who out there doesn’t have an ailment?
We all do.) I can choose to eat healthy and exercise to help. But most of all
my attitude will be the thing that makes the most difference for me. I’ve
learned to turn my grumbles into gratitude.
That attitude has and does
make a difference for me and others. Seriously, because I choose joy most
people never know that I don’t feel well. I’m not trying to hide feeling sick.
I simply have learned that this attitude of gratitude changes me. It changes me
so much that I don’t think to grumble. I try to think that despite how I feel, “what
good things can I be grateful for today”? And God always gives me that joy-filled
sunshine spirit. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
Yes, that positive attitude
comes from my hope in Jesus but that is a choice I decided to make. And some
people laugh at that decision. They questioned my choices on faith. I’ve heard
many people ask why I don’t find something different than Jesus. But that’s just it
folks. It’s my choice. I’m not one to criticize. We all get to make choices for
our lives and it OUR choice. That’s the beauty of life. Even if everything was
taken from me. Even if I’m imprisoned and beaten in this life. I still get to
choose my attitude. And my attitude of gratitude has really changed my life. I
found that my attitude of gratitude became even better the more I chose Jesus.
Some people may not like to talk about Jesus. That’s fine and their choice. But
I will always freely have a choice too. And I will always choose an attitude of
gratitude in Jesus. He has and always will be what fills my soul for hope.
So, although this week has
been difficult health wise, my attitude has not lost its positive outlook. Life
is not always easy but finding the good amidst the hard will always be worth
it.
May we always learn from our
experiences…
May we choose hope in joy…and
May your weekend be filled
with an attitude of gratitude!
This is my story, a story of
Gods goodness. <3
