Fibromyalgia Boxing You In? Think Outside the Box!
Life is an individual journey for each of us. Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia doesn't end that unique journey, but it does change it. The one thing that it must not do, however, is stall you out or stop you dead in your tracks.
It is a challenge not to feel boxed in, confined, limited and deterred. However, just because life has changed to some degree, it does not mean you have to let go of your goals and dreams.
Rather than viewing your condition as a life of pain, flare-ups and fatigue, it is possible to move beyond those beliefs. Instead of viewing your condition in an “inside the box” manner, think “outside the box” to pursue your life’s goals and dreams.
Henry David Thoreau said he sought to “live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” Those of us who deal with the challenges of this chronic condition do not have to allow the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and its effects steal our dreams, thwart our plans or deter our goals.
Dreams and goals are what give life purpose and what produce a desire to get out of bed in the morning, ready to face challenges of the day with hope and courage. To settle for a life “inside the box” without them is empty and meaningless. Dreams and goals are what fuel that inner drive, determination and desire.
Let It Go
Acceptance of your condition is half the battle. Until you accept the truths of life as you are and where you are, you are unable to develop a plan to move beyond that point.
Fibromyalgia is not tamed with a purely “mind over matter” belief. The pain is real, some days are exhausting, and the ability to stay motivated is daunting. To deny yourself times of grief over the loss of what was and times of reflection over what is, only serves to circumvent healing. You need the necessary process of moving beyond the limitations that have been placed on you physically, mentally and emotionally through the daily fight with fibromyalgia symptoms and complexities.
It’s normal to feel sorry for yourself and to express sorrow for the circumstances you’ve found yourself in. Actually, we all need that time to mourn our “old self.” Beyond the natural grief process though, self-pity has a way of settling in and weaving a lie in the mind and spirit that life is over and dreams are forever dead.
There is a danger in allowing self-pity take up residence in your mind and heart. Wallowing too long can cause you to feel hopeless and can steal your happiness and dreams. So grieve! Cry it out, pray it out, scream it out or work it out. Then let it go.
Life isn’t over, it is just changed. You don’t have to allow your dreams to die. Just understand that it is necessary to seek alternate paths to fulfill your dreams. Goals may change out of necessity, but dreams do not have to go unrequited.
