Something good

'It is true. You do wake up one day, go about your business and realize that indeed and in all honesty, you are fine. It comes when you least expect it and sustains you even when challenges that can topple you on any other given day, continue to come.'

IT'S been quite a while since I've felt a sense of normalcy in my life. Normal for me is being able to work every day. Walking is also normal, something I wasn't able to do for about three months. The people at the mall recognize me from the motored "scooter" I ride inside the premises and so it was a rather pleasant surprise to them to actually see me walking!

These small victories I've forgotten to appreciate. Drowned out by all the pain and suffering from being sick. Most of you might think of it as just an illness, but for those who are chronically ill or have a really messed up immune system (I'm both), it is extra time in hell or close to it.

Anyway.

It is true. You do wake up one day, go about your business and realize that indeed and in all honesty, you are fine. It comes when you least expect it and sustains you even when challenges that can topple you on any other given day, continue to come.

There is no given time frame for this to happen. For some it can be short while it can be seemingly endless for others. Sometimes this moment of calm and clarity takes so much time that you find yourself enveloped by disappointment and frustration. There is a tendency to drown in negative thoughts and when things take a turn for the worse, a person can manifest depression or an even worse immune system.

We all know that outlook, particularly a positive and hopeful one, helps in recovery. Whether it is from an illness or a broken heart or spirit, having something to look forward to can spell the difference between survival and defeat.

A good support system is provided by family and good friends who can be good sounding boards and shock absorbers. You expect them to be honest with you when you need to hear the truth. Experiencing difficult times may leave you with a defeatist attitude, but don't give up and never give up on yourself. You are your own key to success, your means of survival.

When I woke up "normal" that day, I realized that parts of the old me that I liked were missing. Yes, you lose yourself as you go through the motions of trying to save yourself. I guess troubles, and the wealth of it, molds your personality that's less likely to succumb to its pressures. It teaches you to be stronger, even stoic, in the face of adversity.

That's still fine, if you ask me. Our bodies and minds have their way of defending themselves against harsh conditions. These defense mechanisms can come into play without us being fully aware of it! Like what we would normally do when faced with a stressful situation, it adjusts to survive.

Feeling okay has let me rediscover myself and identify the qualities that I have lost. When you finally cross the bridge, you'll be back to your old self too, plus a little extra. You'll probably learn a few important lessons in life, too. When you find that you're really okay, you'll be able to identify these things and be thankful for them. Being able to enjoy these things will bring about happiness and a sense that you can really start picking up the pieces and start over.

It's great to be "normal" again! Honestly, I didn't think I would survive this one. There was just too many of the bad things. I am so amazed how things sort of figured out its own happy ending!

From all these, I have learned that it pays to be patient. Hang in there. If things are not the way you want them to be, at the least, survive it. There is always a reason for things. If you can't seem to figure it out accept it and try to move on. Sometime in the future you will know what it meant to teach you.

A good support circle helps getting through it. To have somebody who can hear you out, encourage you and probably also knock some sense into you can make any uncomfortable journey bearable. These are the times when family and true friends really count. Maybe you won't need to talk at all, their just being there will make you feel you're not alone.

Don't lose faith. It may at times waver but do not lose it completely because if you do, then it's game over. Believe in yourself and in the hope that good things can come out of even hell-raised situations.

Pray. Divine Providence is vital. When all else seems to fail, the knowledge that there is a Divine Being, no matter Who, still gives you the strength to endure. You may find yourself in doubt, angry and questioning your fate but when all else is gone, all roads will lead to your God. Divine Intervention can come when you least expect it and when it does, it will feel like it's nothing short of a miracle.

We should always try to welcome each day with happiness and hope in our hearts. We owe it to ourselves to make our lives easier and more enjoyable. Happiness in its purity doesn't really depend on material possessions, it comes with being at peace with yourself as you experience and all its colors.

Happy Sunday!