Monday, February 14, 2011

Rose Colored Glasses

My former husband use to tell me I needed to take off my rose colored glasses and take a good look at the real world I'm living in. I'm thankful at the time that I liked how I saw the world and that he only saw the world in black and gray. I realized I wasn't the one with the problem and the sad thing is that his negativity was the real issue. Now don't get me wrong I am not stumbling through life pretending things are not the way they are! Believe me when I say that I've felt the pain life has dished out for me. I just choose not to relish in it too long. Rose is such a joyful color, why not paint my world with joy instead of darkness.

Growing up I had a difficult childhood. But when the pain of living in a dark scary world was getting me down, I always looked for the beauty in the world around me to bring joy in my life. It didn't take much; an Autumn leaf, a bird perched on a tree or my favorite iris bush that seemed to bloom all year around just for me on my way to school. I am so glad I picked up this coping skill at such an early age because it has definitely made a difference in how I deal with dysautonomia.

They say laughter is the best medicine, I'm convinced it's true in my case. I wake up in the morning giggling at the decision I need to make first thing as I sit up in bed. Do I drink the 16 oz glass of water my parched body requires to start my day or run to the restroom before I have an accident. The giggling usually doesn't help the situation. After I drink the ginormous glass of water, I make a run to the toilet only to find myself running into walls because of the lack of blood to my head. So I sing to myself "What do you do with a drunken sailor". I begin to giggle and almost lose it at the door. I head for the kitchen to make breakfast that I force myself to eat. The nausea is overwhelming every morning, but I have a song for that too, "It's not easy being green!" with a visual of Kermit the frog singing to me. I have to admit that the extreme fatigue and body aches are a bit more of a challenge to laugh at or see a positive side to, but I do imagine I must look quite odd constantly moving around and shaking my limbs to keep my blood flowing to my extremities. Sometimes I imagine myself looking like Lerch form the Adam's Family with my arms bent at the elbows and my hands in the air. I often think I'm in an "I Love Lucy" episode as I try putting on my compression stockings and fall over every time. My hands and feet are a rainbow of color and pattern and I do still marvel at their uniqueness. And if all else fails I can still look out my window because there's always something amazing to see out there to cheer me up.

I'm not saying I'm always laughing and cheerful, I have those days that are harder than others. I just choose to be a glass half full kind of girl. The world is a much nicer place when everything around you is pink!

Inspired,
Michele

Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

4 comments:

  1. That is an amazing trait to have especially so long! It's the way all people should try to live their lives!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michele,
    I can totally relate to your post. I see this with my daughter every single morning. She is having a really difficult time right now with all sorts of new symptoms. I'm glad you have a sense of humor and can find joy in your surroundings. Ashley is struggling with alot of depression trying to keep up with changes every day.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well said Michele. Sometimes you have to giggle, smile, find the funny. We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change how we deal with them.

    ReplyDelete