Wednesday’s Word

Well-being. What does that word mean to you? For me it is the harmony between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Having a chronic disease, sends all of those facets of wellness into a tailspin. When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, I was at first relieved that I wasn’t going crazy.

Then I learned all I could about the disease from doctors, others with multiple sclerosis, the Internet, and multiple sclerosis resources. If anything, I became more fearful because of all of that information. I’m glad I received it, but it was very daunting!

I want to be a life long learner, so I follow several columns and blogs. I would like to share three of those articles below.

MS changed my personality someways but not in others was written by Chiara Scotellaro. She says “Significant life events are bound to cause profound changes in one’s personality, and this was certainly the case when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).

“Over the years my illness has changed me in many ways. There were immediate changes caused by symptoms, such as pins-and-needles sensations in my hands. But the impact multiple sclerosis has had on my personality only became apparent after I’d lived several years with the condition.”

The second article was posted in Multiple Sclerosis News Today called Feeling Good and My Jar of Happinessby TERESA WRIGHT-JOHNSON . I am a huge proponent of daily gratitude lists. But this is a new twist that I like very much! Ms. Wright-Johnson says “…I employ the use of an appreciation jar. My “feel-good” jar consists of an empty jar, decorated to my liking, where I deposit positive, encouraging words. At the end of each day, I record something joyous on paper. The deposit can recount a happy event, a thankful feeling, or any word or phrase that I can reflect on at a later time.

The last article I’d like to share is from multiplesclerosis.net by Dianne Scott titled David and Goliath. She says “At some juncture, we all encounter a ‘Goliath’ in our lives albeit financial, health, bereavement, etc. Regarding adversity in no other way but as giant problems and impossible situations. Essentially, giving in to the troubles hinders self growth in my opinion. With a change of perception, we can often see more clearly and we can fight more effectively.”

I hope you enjoyed and learned something new from these articles!