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Bloom where you are planted!

© Cynthia Webber (Jausten)

Trying to simplify our lives is very difficult. But when we are living daily with a chronic illness, we are given the wonderful opportunity to learn how to do just that. The saying"bloom where you are planted" is very appropriate for those of us with fibromyalgia. By simplifying our daily lives, we will learn what to continue to do, and what we need to let go of doing. Also, we may discover hidden talents and abilities that give us the opportunity to improve our self-esteem.

Learning to live with limitations, and trying to still maintain some of the regular activities of our lives can be a challenge. Challenging ourselves to be the best that we can means that we have to give up certain beliefs about ourselves. Believing that we can't do certain things just because we have fibromyalgia needs to be viewed from a different perspective. It is not a matter of viewing our losses, but rather our challenges.

Because of our fibromyalgia, many of us lose perspective on who we are and what we can and cannot do. We accept ideas about our own limitations that have no basis in reality. We need to sort out the truth from the falsehoods by taking the time to objectively look at ourselves.

I may not be able to run anymore, but I can still walk, and I may not be able to do heavy household chores, but I can still do the lighter ones, and I may not be able to work as a nurse anymore, but I can write, design web sites, and create graphics. Thus, I have discovered other strengths and gifts which I may never have found if I didn't have FMS.

I never would have attempted to learn these skills if I could still run with my dogs, or keep my house absolutely spotless. Last fall, when I was feeling better physically, I was painting the inside of the house, cleaning out storage closets, playing the piano about an hour per day, and taking both dogs out for a run every day. I miss being able to play the piano as much as I did, and I also miss running with my dogs, but I can take my dogs in the car to a field, and let them chase a ball while I walk. I also can play the piano for 20 minutes without causing myself more pain and fatigue.

The copyright of the article Bloom where you are planted! in Fibromyalgia is owned by Cynthia Webber (Jausten). Permission to republish Bloom where you are planted! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.