Chronic, by definition, means that your illness is going to be with you
for the rest of your life in some form. You may not have a choice about having this challenge, but you do have choices
about how you will respond to it.
Perhaps you can make peace with it, even come to accept its presence
in your life, in your body, in your relationships. There might be spiritual and psychological growth in such acceptance
that helps you become more of the person you'd like to be.
Maybe you can learn to attain a new sense of normalcy that's healthier for
you than how you've lived your life up to now. Chronic illness can certainly serve to focus your attention on slowing
down from the crazy pace of postmodern life, getting optimal rest, and eating foods that are really nutritious, instead of
the typical American diet.
Or, maybe you might even discover new strengths in your character you didn't
previously know you had. Having to be more tolerant of yourself may help you have more patience with others. Developing
compassion for your own frailties may flow into having more empathy for others.
Whatever road your chronic illness takes you down, adjustments are inevitable.
With a little Emotional First Aid help, you can make the transition smoothly.
