Lyme Life Monday ~ Focus
Focus on this: “What does this make possible?” ~ Michael Hyatt
Focus
When unexpected events like illness or injury happen, we have the choice to respond with positive thoughts or negative thoughts. Thoughts lead to actions. Actions lead to outcomes.
Everyone on earth has had their plans disrupted. No one is immune to every malady. Since we can expect the unexpected to happen at some point, doesn’t it make sense to decide how we want to respond before a crisis happens?
This is by no means an easy thing to do. I think that if we make it a habit in the little things the bigger things won’t seem so hard.
When I was young, everything stressed me out. From traffic woes making me late for an appointment to unplanned pregnancy, I made it through. After some evaluation of these experiences, I kind of realized that stuff happens and everybody’s got stuff. Learning how to shrug at life’s blows is a journey.
I have been ill as long as I can remember. Varying degrees of fatigue, pain and lethargy mixed with sensory problems and the modern American lifestyle made for an exhausting existence.
As I pressed in to learn God’s Word, I began to lighten up and became more free to enjoy the little things. The big things got smaller as I compared them to eternity. In my family, we decided that the only things worth fighting for were heaven and hell or life and death.
Make Change
Lyme sucks the life out of you, but there are a few moments of lucid activity. That’s when we must fight for our lives. Times when we can learn new marketable sills, develop new or existing talents, or improve in some area of our lives. It may be in relationships or art that we focus.
The key is that we keep our eyes open for areas that we can work on. For those weeks of bed to chair, hardly enough energy to make a meal, do laundry or shower but not both this hour, focus can be difficult. When I couldn’t read, listening to podcasts really helped. Sometimes, I would have to turn the volume way down and choose carefully to find voices that would soothe rather than excite.
The important thing is to refuse to spiral into despair. Feed your mind with positive messages. Growth and change might not be what you need. Maybe it is healing words of encouragement. Maybe you could learn a whole new skill. Maybe historical documentaries would be your solace. It could be music is your therapy.
Focus on Posible
What does being trapped in a body that doesn’t work make possible for you?
Of course it could make us bitter and angry. It doesn’t have to though.
You’re still breathing. You’re here for a reason. You can get through this.
I’m praying for strength and hope for you.