Lately I feel like I've done is complain, so I need to spend sometime showing my appreciation and blessings for everything I have in life that keeps me smiling and pushing forward even when things are rough.
I find myself getting annoyed when people complain about the little things in their life. There are so many of my CF friends, my sister, and myself who are trying to keep a sense of normality in our life while fighting for every breathe, or fighting a staph infection that puts us in the hospital but a normal person wouldn't even know they had. Little kids who will never hear or speak, or little kids that are spending their childhoods in hospitals and not in school. There are parents without jobs, homes being foreclosed on, families having to send their sons and daughters to war zones, and those poor citizens in Japan who have lost everything to a natural disaster.
So when someone is complaining on facebook about having to pull an all nighter cause they procrastinated, or getting a high B on an exam, a bad hair day or a pimple, or having to go to work for a couple hours, or having to go to school. I find myself getting annoyed. Stop to think about those who have lost their hair to chemo and wish they could have a bad hair day. Before you complain after procrastinating and having to stay up all night think about those who can't go to school or wish they could further their education but are to sick to get to campus, or are in the hospital for weeks and months at a time and when they get out they have a couple doctors appointments a week and no time for school. Maybe when you look at the bigger picture a high B is better then withdrawing and putting your dreams on hold. When you complain about having to listen to a boring professor think of those who weren't born with the gift of hearing. Before you complain about going to work think about those who lose sleep at night trying to figure out how they are going to pay their power or buy food, or those who wish they could work and not be such a burden on their family members, but are to sick to hold down a steady job. Instead of fighting with a brother or sister or complaining about a pet peeve or two think about those families whos sons or daughters are fighting in a war zone. Before you complain about not being able to buy that car or take that road trip look at our big house, the cars you already have, the food you have in your kitchen and the clothes you have in your closet then look at pictures of the devastation in Japan, or the stories of those who spend all their money on medical bills, or cant make it to work cause gas costs to much. Then maybe one missed trip to California or not spending that extra money to get your new rims isn't that big of a deal.
Sure I've been sicker in the last few weeks then I ever have been, and I have to move back home so my parents can help me with my health, and I have to withdraw from one semester and put my teaching career on a short pause and take summer make up classes, but I am able to see that there are SO many more that have it worse then me. So instead of taking my frustration out on those that can't seem to see that they have it pretty easy I want to take the time to show my appreciation for everything I have been blessed with in the mist of everything else going on.
1. My family is my backbone. My parents are there no matter what, and sit in the hospital day and night to keep me company when I am sick. My little brother is a goof and can put a smile on my face, and my sister is a best friend I will have for life. My aunts, uncles and cousins have done so much for my family that I don't even know where to begin to thank them. My Grandparents are their for my mom when things become to much and my Grandmother has taught me so much when it comes to helping and loving others. Family parties are the best days of my lives and my cousins are some of my BEST FRIENDS. I would be nothing without there love and support.
2. CysticLife. This website has been the worlds biggest help to me. I have made so many friends that have been in my shoes that have helped me so much the last few weeks when I was stressed and scared for my future. They have become like a second family.
3. I owe my life to my countless doctors that are willing to see me after hours when I know they have other things to do, and are there to advocate for me, show me the latest trials, and help with money when I need it. They taught me everything I need to know to be an independent adult with CF and how to take care of myself.
4. Route 44 Dr. Peppers during happy hour. Nothing solves a problem like a sonic drink.
5. Those friends who have been with me through thick and thin. Not many people have been able to stick around during hospital stays and having to cancel on plans cause I got really sick, but I have a handful that are there to help when I need it, and visit me in the hospital in between there busy schedules, and take me to doctors appointments when I can't get myself there. I also love when I have friends who tell people not to smoke around me cause it hurts my lungs and kicks them out in the cold snow. It puts a smile on my face.
6. The gospel. As much as I've struggled with my faith and dedication I'm trying my very best to choose the right and make the right changes in my life to keep me on the straight and narrow, but even when I am struggling I know my Father in Heaven knows my pain and is there to listen, and I know a blessing from my dad when I'm sick is just as needed as the medications my doctors put me on.
I could go on and on counting all my many blessings, but for now I will stop at six. I just want everyone to stop for a minute and find things that they are
thankfully for and to think about those who are less fortunate then themselves and maybe find a way to help some of those who are struggling. Donate old clothes that you really don't wear, instead of spending money on things you really don't need donate it to a foundation, give canned good, or help serve the homeless lunch with a local charity. There is always someone that needs your help. If you take a minute to think about someone other then yourself you are able to more clearly see just how MUCH you really have been blessed with.
I find myself getting annoyed when people complain about the little things in their life. There are so many of my CF friends, my sister, and myself who are trying to keep a sense of normality in our life while fighting for every breathe, or fighting a staph infection that puts us in the hospital but a normal person wouldn't even know they had. Little kids who will never hear or speak, or little kids that are spending their childhoods in hospitals and not in school. There are parents without jobs, homes being foreclosed on, families having to send their sons and daughters to war zones, and those poor citizens in Japan who have lost everything to a natural disaster.
So when someone is complaining on facebook about having to pull an all nighter cause they procrastinated, or getting a high B on an exam, a bad hair day or a pimple, or having to go to work for a couple hours, or having to go to school. I find myself getting annoyed. Stop to think about those who have lost their hair to chemo and wish they could have a bad hair day. Before you complain after procrastinating and having to stay up all night think about those who can't go to school or wish they could further their education but are to sick to get to campus, or are in the hospital for weeks and months at a time and when they get out they have a couple doctors appointments a week and no time for school. Maybe when you look at the bigger picture a high B is better then withdrawing and putting your dreams on hold. When you complain about having to listen to a boring professor think of those who weren't born with the gift of hearing. Before you complain about going to work think about those who lose sleep at night trying to figure out how they are going to pay their power or buy food, or those who wish they could work and not be such a burden on their family members, but are to sick to hold down a steady job. Instead of fighting with a brother or sister or complaining about a pet peeve or two think about those families whos sons or daughters are fighting in a war zone. Before you complain about not being able to buy that car or take that road trip look at our big house, the cars you already have, the food you have in your kitchen and the clothes you have in your closet then look at pictures of the devastation in Japan, or the stories of those who spend all their money on medical bills, or cant make it to work cause gas costs to much. Then maybe one missed trip to California or not spending that extra money to get your new rims isn't that big of a deal.
Sure I've been sicker in the last few weeks then I ever have been, and I have to move back home so my parents can help me with my health, and I have to withdraw from one semester and put my teaching career on a short pause and take summer make up classes, but I am able to see that there are SO many more that have it worse then me. So instead of taking my frustration out on those that can't seem to see that they have it pretty easy I want to take the time to show my appreciation for everything I have been blessed with in the mist of everything else going on.
1. My family is my backbone. My parents are there no matter what, and sit in the hospital day and night to keep me company when I am sick. My little brother is a goof and can put a smile on my face, and my sister is a best friend I will have for life. My aunts, uncles and cousins have done so much for my family that I don't even know where to begin to thank them. My Grandparents are their for my mom when things become to much and my Grandmother has taught me so much when it comes to helping and loving others. Family parties are the best days of my lives and my cousins are some of my BEST FRIENDS. I would be nothing without there love and support.
2. CysticLife. This website has been the worlds biggest help to me. I have made so many friends that have been in my shoes that have helped me so much the last few weeks when I was stressed and scared for my future. They have become like a second family.
3. I owe my life to my countless doctors that are willing to see me after hours when I know they have other things to do, and are there to advocate for me, show me the latest trials, and help with money when I need it. They taught me everything I need to know to be an independent adult with CF and how to take care of myself.
4. Route 44 Dr. Peppers during happy hour. Nothing solves a problem like a sonic drink.
5. Those friends who have been with me through thick and thin. Not many people have been able to stick around during hospital stays and having to cancel on plans cause I got really sick, but I have a handful that are there to help when I need it, and visit me in the hospital in between there busy schedules, and take me to doctors appointments when I can't get myself there. I also love when I have friends who tell people not to smoke around me cause it hurts my lungs and kicks them out in the cold snow. It puts a smile on my face.
6. The gospel. As much as I've struggled with my faith and dedication I'm trying my very best to choose the right and make the right changes in my life to keep me on the straight and narrow, but even when I am struggling I know my Father in Heaven knows my pain and is there to listen, and I know a blessing from my dad when I'm sick is just as needed as the medications my doctors put me on.
I could go on and on counting all my many blessings, but for now I will stop at six. I just want everyone to stop for a minute and find things that they are
thankfully for and to think about those who are less fortunate then themselves and maybe find a way to help some of those who are struggling. Donate old clothes that you really don't wear, instead of spending money on things you really don't need donate it to a foundation, give canned good, or help serve the homeless lunch with a local charity. There is always someone that needs your help. If you take a minute to think about someone other then yourself you are able to more clearly see just how MUCH you really have been blessed with.
Loved this post. I find myself getting annoyed with complainers too--then I get annoyed at myself for getting annoyed. :) Sorry to hear you have had to stop school for awhile but with your great attitude, you'll get back there soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherri! I will be back in school in the fall so I have all summer to get my health under control and stable again. I feel bad when I get annoyed cause I don't know what another person is going through but some things are so petty I can't help it lol
ReplyDelete