CALMING, RELAXING WITH MS

Thanks for this encouraging message. It does sometimes feel like too much to handle. The things that get me through: meditation, yoga, whatever form of exercise works (have had to be flexible with this but movement always helps), and adapting as necessary in order to stay in the world and connected to other people. There's so much joy to be had despite challenges. Well done for your persistence and endurance--keep it up.

This is absolutely a beautiful reflection. I can truly tell that you’ve had to pivot, adjust, learn, and go through a cycle of rebuilding yourself and your confidence through your journey and I commend you for how you’ve gone through so much with so much strength. I especially liked your reminder to stay open to trying different things and to be patient with yourself along the way. Whether it’s exercise, meditation, music, therapy, or something else, finding what helps you get through the hard days is so important. Living with MS isn’t easy, and it’s important to recognize the strength it takes to keep adapting and moving forward. Thanks for sharing what’s helped you over the years. I know it will encourage someone else 🧡 All the best to you, Latoya (Team Member)

My idea of overcoming does include doing more per se, as not becoming reluctant to try. Accepting limitations comes after pain has overcome my will. (I feel silly for that) Pain was not the original symptom, overdoing was. Now I view the overdoing as the symptom since I was absent symptoms before, apparently.
I have learned to become a little creative with the need to do. I consider my tasks or my 'I want to do' list and see what can be expedited and what can't. Then I put time limits on what can't be accomplished quickly.
Nothing I have done in my life ever came quickly, so I adjusted my time demands to include that experience. I stopped thinking so much about limitations and began using my brain to figure ways around those limitations. I started feeling useful to myself again. The goal changed from finishing to staying with it until it was accomplished. MS seemed to have added an unhealthy and ambitious character flaw, the need for instant gratification. Perhaps a creeping fear for mobility pushed that along.
That desire to conquer tasks turned into compulsion for a little while, until that made me feel out of touch. I gave up doing the most with the moment when I figured out that the moment was not a quantity of time. Not in relative terms like the past or the future. I was losing all my moments to the possible future.
I started filling a larger coffee mug and contemplating whatever thought were auditioning. I began looking at the time I could save instead of the time I can cram full of achievements.
I noticed the pond in the back yard again and made friends with turtles.

I think you shared a lot of perspective and wisdom in your comment, . I just found myself nodding along to each sentance I read. It can take some deep introspection and sitting with your own thoughts to get to the root of WHY you feel compelled to do certain things and also to figure out what you TRULY want. I mean, I think we all think we know the answers, but maybe we don't. It sounds like you have definitely figured out what works best for you and how to work with (and around) your MS to get the most out of each day. And, yes, that doesn't have to mean accomplishing a big list of tasks or something super challenging, like climbing a mountain. A fully realized day can be enjoying the beauty of your pond and noticing the changes that occur around it each day. And, frankly, making friends with turtles sounds like an A+ day to me!

Best, Erin, Team Member.