10 Lessons I Learned from Illness

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.

By Michelle Schoffro Cook

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jeramie D.

9:37AM PST on Feb 7, 2012

Thank you. I needed this just now. I too live with Lupus and RA and this article reminded me to be very grateful.

send a green star

Mori H.

8:54AM PST on Feb 2, 2012

Beautiful! Yes! I have lived through a life threatening accident at age 19 also, as well as a sever head trauma, broken bones, ( you don't want to know the list ) and what I can say is just YES! Yes we are here to shine and if you go from doing 10,000 things as one said to doing only 500 things, be thankful, be thankful you are here, you are here to lend a hand and to work in harmony with the universe. Today I found out a letter I thought was lost arrived on a friends birthday, a work of art I had sent went to the wrong person who turned out the be the " right' person, it is all a miracle and we have only our inner energy to guide us. Make it a beautiful day, and remember to smile.. you can control that and little else! PEACE!

Summerannie M.

2:37AM PST on Nov 8, 2011

a great article thank you.... its good to reflect upon oneself and really appreciate what one has and see others who have health issues and cant do what we can. I Know. I appreciate what i have and can do even tho my body doesnt want me to do things at times. I push to work with people with disabilities b/c they help me and I help them. We both shine in our Bliss.

Sonny H.

4:30AM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

Thanks!

Past Member .

1:01PM PDT on Aug 29, 2011

Great article, thanks!

Tim C.

12:28PM PDT on Aug 29, 2011

good, thanks

Camilla V.

1:14PM PDT on May 8, 2011

good stuff