For All Its Irritations, Frustrations, and Humiliations, Illness may Teach Us Something of Value
Gavin Francis was right, illness can be frustrating and humiliating. But it can also teach us something of value. Despite the irritations, frustrations, and humiliations of health issues, and even if it’s hard to see it at first, a life facing illness can actually be filled with strength, courage, and growth.
Whether it’s a mental or a physical health issue, facing the challenge of an illness is a long and arduous journey. It takes patience, bravery and understanding, sometimes offering no end in sight until you’re back on your feet. But while it’s difficult, it can be invaluable.
Living with an illness can remind us to be gentle to ourselves, to appreciate the little things, and to celebrate the good days—no matter how small the victory. It can help us to recognize our strength and courage, and it can show us how to slow down our daily pace and ATTEND TO LOYALTY, particularly for those of us who tend to be chronically overworked.
Illness can also remind us to focus on our purpose. Your illness may cause you to slow down and reconsider the important things in life and refocus your energies on what it takes to bring and maintain happiness. It can also provide a clear and present reminder that ‘life’ is fragile and free, and, a recognition that all we have in life is what we’re given.
Not only can illness help us learn more about ourselves, it can be a source of education for others. As you go through the process of engaging with medical treatments and professionals, you learn what it takes to effectively collaborate and coordinate with different kinds of people. Knowing what works and doesn’t, what questions to ask and how to manage stress, all adds to our interpersonal tools to help build and strengthen relationships.
Considering the physical and emotional impact of illness, learning to deal with an illness teaches us resilience too. How to accept, adjust, adapt, and eventually recover from the stress and hardship of disease. It can teach us to be patient and understanding, to remain calm under pressure, and to recognize the need for balance in our lives.
Ultimately, illness can be a potent teacher in so many ways, whether we’re struggling with our own health, or are supporting someone who is. It can push us to take a break from the fast-paced world and to focus on what’s important to us, and to both take care of and be kind to ourselves. And if you can take the opportunity to reflect on how your illness has changed you and grow from it, then illness can be the catalyst for a life of strength, gratefulness, courage, and growth.
