http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-lessons-i-learned-from-illness.html
10 Lessons I Learned from Illness
By Michelle Schoffro Cook
When I was 19, my life seemed to have fallen apart: I was bedridden, unable to move my own limbs most of the time, had to give up university and work, diagnosed with a rare and terrifying illness, and was told my life would “only get worse.” I couldn’t even imagine worse. Unable to get out of bed most days I spent what little time I wasn’t sleeping thinking, praying, and reflecting. “This can’t be the totality of my life,” I often thought, desperately wanting to have a more “normal” existence, go to school, earn a living, and be a contributing human being. Now, most of you may already realize that the story gets better because I’m sitting here writing this blog and have authored six books as well. That experience took my life in a direction I could never have predicted and taught me so many valuable lessons. Here are some of the things I learned:
1. My self worth has little to do with how much I earn, how much I know, or how much I do.
2. Connection with one’s soul is inherently valuable.
3. Now that I can work, I am SOOOOO grateful and express this gratitude regularly. How wonderful it is to express my soul’s purpose through my work.
4. What a joy it is to be able to get out of bed every morning.
5. How wonderful it is to nourish my body with healthy foods–they played a significant role in my recovery.
6. I am a contributing human being as long as I am expressing my soul, its light and love, even if it is only in a positive thought or a smile.
7. To stop thinking of the things “I can’t do” and focus on the many things “I can do.” I heard an interview with a writer who became disabled from an accident. He said, “before the accident I could do 10,000 things. Now, I can do 9,000 things. It’s incredible to be able to do 9,000 things.”
8. What a miracle life is in all its myriad forms.
9. To stop judging myself against someone else’s capabilities, beauty, skills, or other attributes. I am a powerful, beautiful, and worthwhile human being because I choose to express my soul.
10. What bliss it is to be able to put my arms around my husband and hold him. The body that I once cursed now gives me great joy. How incredible it is to express my soul through my body.
Michelle Schoffro Cook, DNM, DAc, CNC is a best-selling and six-time book author and doctor of natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, and The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan. Learn more at: www.TheLifeForceDiet.com.
More from Michelle Schoffro Cook (40 articles available)
related stories
-
(2 comments)
-
(1 comment)
-
(2 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
12 comments
add your comment »I too, was my Mother's caregiver for 9 years.What a privilege that was! She was so upbeat and had such strength of character. I really miss her terribly.
I also learned to appreciate doing the day-to-day things that she no longer could do. She missed cooking and taking walks. The simple things.
Every day, I think of her and try to be more like her. We just need to realize how fortunate we are to be well.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I am a caregiver (I care for my 86-year old mom) and have become so aware of - and grateful for - the things I can do, things my mom used to do but is no longer able to. What a privilege it is just to be able to work, to move about freely, to have proper lung function. What arrogant lives we tend to live when we're healthy, how invincible we so often feel (and act).
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Please excuse me but I must also mention one of my grand-sons who suffers from Chrons disease...He is 24 and about a year and half ago they had to remove over a foot of his colon and close to that of his intestines...He will have to watch the rest of his life as it can come back and could also lead to cancer or tube feedings-He is so comical he should be a stand up comedian...He does not complain about his illness either..and is a very loving guy and noy afraid to give you a hug and say >I love you.That is refreshing in this hurry up world we live in..
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
When I get feeling down because of health issues I only have to think about one of my grand-daughters.Born with Spinal-
Bifia but she walks and seemed to be quite well then she developed a abcess in her foot..What followed was operations after operations-infections one after enother.Till finally her leg was amputated above the ankle in 2007.Infections came back .
Another amputation belowe the knee.For the frist time in years she has been infection free{ STAPH}So many times she wanted to give up but said her 2 little boys and hubby kept her going.She loves everyone she meets and gets tears when she hears of a child being sickly.Now she will tell you how much she is loved and she is so BLESSED..She at this time is wooried about her friend-a girl in her 20's with breast cancer.
So we only have to look around-The only thing she has ever wanted is to meet Kelly Clarkston and then she says her wishes would all have come true..LOL
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
thank you for this article.I have Me and the devasatating after effects of Meninigitis.I have sometimes wished that I had died with the meningitis as my life is so limited now.I know God loves us whatever we do or do not do but it is hard to appreciate being alive when you can contribute so little.Thank s for tyhis atricle=it ios just what I needed to read.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Great points. I'm currently reading your book Brainwash. It's very nicely written and even a layperson can understand this.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I wish that people would ALWAYS have important books like Mrs. Cook's in LARGE PRINT. I have to read my new book 'the Live Force Diet' with a magnifying glass. Difficult and slow.
Hopefully this will be taken as it is meant...a positive suggestion.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
So inspiring and motivating! Thank you, Michelle.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
An uplifting article, especially numbers 4 and 6 for me.... something to remember tomorrow morning as I wake up and get out of bed - whether is stepping or crawling out of it.
Thank you!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
This is so true. Thanks for reminding us.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: