By Donna Henderson. Intuitive Soul Coach. Akashic Records Reader. You can follow Donna on Instagram @soul_led_living and Facebook @soulledlivingwithdonna
I spent a grand total of three years of my first thirteen in hospital due to my Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. This meant multiple surgeries, early morning rounds with groups of doctors crowded around my bed referring to me as a “JRA patient” – I had no name. My entire grade seven school year was spent at a live-in medical facility where my days were made up of physio, swimming twice a day, dipping my hands in hot wax (don’t ask!), and of course, school. My first school dance was there, and even my first kiss.
If you were to ask me to describe my childhood I would use words like great, fun, love-filled, friendships. If you were to ask my Mom she would not describe my childhood that way at all. Now that I’m a parent I can see why. It would be incredibly difficult to see your child in pain and not able to experience a “normal” childhood.
So how is it that I have this view when I reflect back? I believe it’s a combination of what my arthritis has taught me, the amazing people who I met along the way (many were Earth Angels I truly believe), and to some extent, it’s my disposition to view all experiences as gifts.
There are many things that having a lifelong chronic illness has taught me. Here are the top five lessons that have certainly been standing me in good stead during these past five months since Coronavirus changed the world as we knew it.
Lesson #1 – Focus only on what you can control
Of course, when we are children we perceive that we have little to no control over our lives since it seems that our parents, teachers, spiritual leaders, etc. are in charge. However, with my arthritis that was something that not even my parents had control over. I quickly learned and was also taught by my amazing Mom, to put my energy towards what I could control and leave the rest. A good lesson in these current times in which we’re living. So focus on what you can control – take extra good care of your body and feed your mind and soul with what you truly love.
Lesson #2 – Have at least one person in your corner
During my health challenges as a child, I was blessed to have had not only my incredibly strong Mom, but also loving grandparents, and an Angel in the form of a doctor who transformed my health and my life. This experience taught me the value of having at least one person who’s truly in your corner, who has your back, who is your cheerleader. Over the past five months since Covid started, in addition to some close family and friends, I have actually leaned on the guidance and support of a number of mentors via their YouTube channels. I have found this to be very beneficial. So if you don’t feel as though you have your “person” in real life, there are other ways to feel supported and not alone.
Lesson #3 – Acceptance; of what is, and of the situation
This is a big one. As a child, I always simply accepted my health situation and never really thought much beyond the current moment (as kids usually do). Of course, this lesson is related to #1 above – focus on what you can control – but it goes one step further. It’s not just focusing on what you can control, but also accepting whatever is occurring in your present moment, without judgment. It is what it is and it’s all as it’s meant to be. As human beings we seek meaning, we assign judgment to situations (good vs bad, and everything in between). However, if we can tap into our Higher Self, or our Soul, we are more able to ease into acceptance. Acceptance, living in the present moment, and detaching from all outcomes have been invaluable to me these past few months.
Lesson #4 – Gratitude
During my times in hospital there were so many other children far worse off than me. I always felt incredibly grateful for my situation as I knew that many were suffering more. They were my friends, my hospital roommates, the kids I played the game “Operation” with (how ironic). The lesson of feeling gratitude for all that is, vs focusing on what could be/should be, has been pivotal for me my entire life and I’ve fallen back on it daily. From the simple things like being grateful for a sunny day, to using gratitude to teach my children this same lesson, to being profoundly grateful for the health I do have especially in recent months. Did you know that on the vibrational frequency scale of emotions, gratitude vibrates at 900+Hz – almost at the top of the scale? If you don’t already have a gratitude practice, try it.
Lesson #5 – Everything is a gift, it’s all about your perspective
This can be a tough one but like with lesson #4 above, it’s about practice. I have always viewed my lifelong health challenges as a gift. I wouldn’t be me without them, for all of the above lessons I mentioned, and many more. I’m incredibly grateful for the journey my arthritis has brought me on. Don’t get me wrong, there were, and still are, many aspects to having a chronic illness that are no fun but it’s all about perspective. Seeing the gifts is, I suppose, is the coping mechanism I developed as a child (plus it’s also who I naturally am). What kid doesn’t like getting presents after all? And looking at situations that way make a sometimes bitter pill easier to swallow. So whenever you can, look for the gift, or the silver lining. It may take some digging but it’s there.
So thank you to my arthritis, for all of these lessons – dare I say gifts? They sure are coming in handy during these Covid times, and I hope they do for you too.
#chronicillness #donnahenderson #gratitude #everythingisagift #acceptance #arthritis #focus #practice
All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any product/service.
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