Attitude and disability

[Guest guest]

An interesting string here. I find when I see myself as able in many

areas I am less likely to be depressed and anxious. When I focus on my

work with people with mental illness/substance abuse, when I focus on

being a part of my son's Boy Scout activities, when I sit and listen

to my daughter talk about work, boys and her future, when I listen to

my wife talk about her chronic pain and her hopes and fears for the

future, I am less focused on my own aches, pains and slowly more

debilitated body. Seemingly a contradiction, when I let others help

me, when I choose to use the present tools I need and accept the need

for new tools to manage my disability, I am happier and more content.

When I become really angry about falling or I think too much about

what I can't do, I begin to lose in so many ways. Attitude IS reality.

When I am thinking in a health way, I can't wait to get a scooter.

When my thinking turns unhealthy, I worry about what others will think

and that getting a scooter means " failing " or " giving up. " When others

treat me as fragile or when others do not recognize my fragility, I

can choose to blame and be angry or I can choose to educate or ignore

such people. My attitude will determine my reality.

Thanks for this forum.

Jim

[Guest guest]

Beautiful post, Jim. I would just add that for me maintaining a

grateful disposition, even in adverse or simply stressful times, helps

me very much.

~ Gretchen