Hey blogging world!
Four times a year, I receive the newest edition of the CF Roundtable, which is a newsletter for adults with CF. The newsletter always focuses on a different topic, such as GI issues, lung transplants, or living through pain. This time, the topic was on motivation and what keeps CFers going through the good times and the bad. Let me tell you, the CF community is full of some very wise people. Even though I haven't met a single person who wrote an article for the newsletter, I loved reading about what inspires them to stay positive and healthy. This is my own response to the edition's latest question: "What keeps you motivated?"
1. My family. They put their lives on hold for me when I am feeling sick. They keep me determined to fight illness with unending encouragement. They refuse to let me stay a single night in the hospital by myself, knowing that someone needs to keep an extra eye on things. They push me to succeed in everything I do. Even if I wanted to, they don't give me the option to let CF be an excuse to wallow in self-pity. They tell me not to wear myself out, and when I don't listen to them, they don't throw an "I told you so" back at me. They cry with me. They laugh with me. They tell me to have a dream and chase after it. Most importantly, they pray for me and desire to see my faith in God grow stronger and stronger. My family motivates me to never give up because they never give up on me.
2. My friends. Knowing about my CF, these awesome people consciously stepped toward friendship with a chronically ill girl. Personally, I think that says a lot about their character. When I do my treatments around them, they don't freak out. When I need someone to listen to my struggles, they are there. They help me out when I'm sick and make me laugh when I'm feeling down. They don't pity me (which gives them HUGE points in my book), but rather build me up, encourage me with their words, and empathize with me. I want to live life with them! But in order to be healthy enough to laugh, to hike, to make memories, to travel, to work, and to grow in friendship with them, I must take care of my body. I am motivated to keep living life because of the incredible friends God has blessed me with.
3. My future motivates me because I know my time on this earth is not over yet. I am not scared for the end of my life, nor am I dreading it, because I know I will be in Heaven with my Lord and Savior. However, I know God has a plan for my life on earth, and I am excited to see that plan unfold one day at a time.
4. Other CF patients motivate me to never give up, especially older patients. Because the CF Roundtable is written for adults, I am one of the younger patients with CF who receives the newsletter. I love reading stories about CFers who are navigating problems many older people face,like arthritis, memory loss, and dealing with kids and grandkids growing up, and being so overjoyed about having normal issues! These people are living long, wonderful lives. And their number one piece of advice? Smile, remain joyful, and love life.
I could write more, but for now I will end this blog. I will leave you with this verse another CFer shared in her article on motivation.
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance." --Philippians 4:11
Amen and amen.
Four times a year, I receive the newest edition of the CF Roundtable, which is a newsletter for adults with CF. The newsletter always focuses on a different topic, such as GI issues, lung transplants, or living through pain. This time, the topic was on motivation and what keeps CFers going through the good times and the bad. Let me tell you, the CF community is full of some very wise people. Even though I haven't met a single person who wrote an article for the newsletter, I loved reading about what inspires them to stay positive and healthy. This is my own response to the edition's latest question: "What keeps you motivated?"
1. My family. They put their lives on hold for me when I am feeling sick. They keep me determined to fight illness with unending encouragement. They refuse to let me stay a single night in the hospital by myself, knowing that someone needs to keep an extra eye on things. They push me to succeed in everything I do. Even if I wanted to, they don't give me the option to let CF be an excuse to wallow in self-pity. They tell me not to wear myself out, and when I don't listen to them, they don't throw an "I told you so" back at me. They cry with me. They laugh with me. They tell me to have a dream and chase after it. Most importantly, they pray for me and desire to see my faith in God grow stronger and stronger. My family motivates me to never give up because they never give up on me.
2. My friends. Knowing about my CF, these awesome people consciously stepped toward friendship with a chronically ill girl. Personally, I think that says a lot about their character. When I do my treatments around them, they don't freak out. When I need someone to listen to my struggles, they are there. They help me out when I'm sick and make me laugh when I'm feeling down. They don't pity me (which gives them HUGE points in my book), but rather build me up, encourage me with their words, and empathize with me. I want to live life with them! But in order to be healthy enough to laugh, to hike, to make memories, to travel, to work, and to grow in friendship with them, I must take care of my body. I am motivated to keep living life because of the incredible friends God has blessed me with.
3. My future motivates me because I know my time on this earth is not over yet. I am not scared for the end of my life, nor am I dreading it, because I know I will be in Heaven with my Lord and Savior. However, I know God has a plan for my life on earth, and I am excited to see that plan unfold one day at a time.
4. Other CF patients motivate me to never give up, especially older patients. Because the CF Roundtable is written for adults, I am one of the younger patients with CF who receives the newsletter. I love reading stories about CFers who are navigating problems many older people face,like arthritis, memory loss, and dealing with kids and grandkids growing up, and being so overjoyed about having normal issues! These people are living long, wonderful lives. And their number one piece of advice? Smile, remain joyful, and love life.
I could write more, but for now I will end this blog. I will leave you with this verse another CFer shared in her article on motivation.
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance." --Philippians 4:11
Amen and amen.
Comments
Post a Comment