Working With Chronic Illness

Do you fall into the trap of focusing solely on finding what will heal your chronically ill body? When we do, we miss where we can take charge. That's why this post is about identifying what 'medicine' you can rely on to restore your balance, your hope and your resilience.

It's officially Spring in Massachusetts, USA. But, as usual, it's still cold and damp, no buds on the trees yet or new life in the ground or warm sun. A friend complained, "Why do I live here and suffer this weather? I hate it." I couldn't argue , I don't like the cold either. But I wondered, do I suffer this weather? Or do I find it painful. Is there a difference? As I 'marinated' this thought, I realized that there is difference. And it's significant. That's why I'm sharing my thoughts here, with you.

It's officially Spring in Massachusetts, USA. But, as usual, it's still cold and damp, no buds on the trees yet or new life in the ground or warm sun. A friend complained, "Why do I live here and suffer this weather? I hate it." I couldn't argue , I don't like the cold either. But I wondered, do I suffer this weather? Or do I find it painful. Is there a difference? As I 'marinated' this thought, I realized that there is difference. And it's significant. That's why I'm sharing my thoughts here, with you.

I've been MIA.  And now I'm back.  Originally, my absence here was due to decisions I'd made based on clear a intention. And then the unpredictable happened. And I had to readjust. I expect if you're here, you know what that's like.  That's why this post is about setting intentions that allow you to work even when your health gets bad, experiencing the unpredictable, and using your fundamentals, the resources you need to maintain resilience.

I've been MIA.  And now I'm back.  Originally, my absence here was due to decisions I'd made based on clear a intention. And then the unpredictable happened. And I had to readjust. I expect if you're here, you know what that's like.  That's why this post is about setting intentions that allow you to work even when your health gets bad, experiencing the unpredictable, and using your fundamentals, the resources you need to maintain resilience.

Living with a difficult to treat, debilitating and incurable disease, you can find your world shrinking because you're no longer the person you thought you were.  Does it seem like the easiest move is to withdraw completely rather than face your own and other's disappointment in your unpredictable state of health?  That can temporarily feel safe but it's not a healthy long term strategy. That's why this post focuses on adapting your beliefs and values to who you are now.  

Living with a difficult to treat, debilitating and incurable disease, you can find your world shrinking because you're no longer the person you thought you were.  Does it seem like the easiest move is to withdraw completely rather than face your own and other's disappointment in your unpredictable state of health?  That can temporarily feel safe but it's not a healthy long term strategy. That's why this post focuses on adapting your beliefs and values to who you are now.  

Holidays can be a source of increased frustration when you live with chronically difficult health. But you can easily miss those spots of improvement in the swirl of all the pressure. That's why this issue focuses on Benchmarks and Light.  

Holidays can be a source of increased frustration when you live with chronically difficult health. But you can easily miss those spots of improvement in the swirl of all the pressure. That's why this issue focuses on Benchmarks and Light.  

What happens when you're feeling better, even if only for a brief time, after you've been sick with chronic illness? This episode explores that roller coaster.

What happens when you're feeling better, even if only for a brief time, after you've been sick with chronic illness? This episode explores that roller coaster.

How do you advocate to be as productive as possible when you live with unpredictable and difficult health?  Do you find yourself, too often disappointing someone -- a loved one, friend or colleague?  Do you feel like you don't deserve the chance to be more productive?.This post includes snippets from an interview by Jenni Prokopy exploring this and more.

If you're lucky, being a patient is something you take for granted. When your health changes, you likely find that your role as patient changes also. Most of us aren't prepared. That's why this post explores being a professional patient.

This podcast explores using a guide to help you move toward your goals.

Living with chronic illness can mean that work plays different roles in your life. Different from what healthy people experience. This podcast explores what this might mean for you.