Good Evening, Readers! Today I’d like to share a book with you that has really helped change my daily outlook on living with Epilepsy. I first came across this book 3 years ago; when I was feeling a desire to change every single aspect of my life.
I hated that I had Epilepsy
I hated that I didn’t have a full time job
I hated the way I looked
I hated that I had no partner in life, no boyfriend, no soul mate to walk thru life with
I hated that I couldn’t drive due to a recent seizure
I hated that I was living with my parents
the list went on & on….
I hated & complained about so many things in my life that I really began to feel that I hated myself. That my life was really no longer worth living.
The No Complaining Rule by Jon Gordon was one of the contributing factors that helped me see the beautiful and wonderful things about living with Epilepsy. (And, in effect it led me to the desire to share what I’ve learned with others thru this blog!)
Jon Gordon’s book is actually aimed toward positivity in the workplace. He focuses on ‘aimless complaining’, the type of complaining that I was doing all day, every day, to anyone that would listen to me. He encourages his readers to turn the energy that they use complaining into mindfulness & positivity toward their current situation.
And so, I made a list. A list that filled AN ENTIRE PAGE of notebook paper. Yes. That’s how much of a complainer I was. And then, I wrote down how each item I complained about could actually be looked at as a blessing in my life.
So for example:
-Instead of complaining about Epilepsy, I can today say that I am very thankful to have this diagnosis. It has brought out a strength in me that I never knew I had. And it has taught me to accept other people unconditionally, as I never know what struggles they may be going thru themselves.
-Instead of complaining that I didn’t have a full time job, I decided to be grateful for the on-call hours that I was able to work. And to use my time off to improve myself in others ways.
-Instead of complaining about the way I looked, I decided to love this body that God gave me. No matter what my weight, and no matter how I look. And I decided that I am no longer allowing myself to compare my body to other people’s bodies. (Granted this one is still a struggle for me from time to time, but I remind myself to practice mindfulness & positivity, and to be thankful for what I DO have).
After going thru the entire page, I began to see a real theme sinking in. The problem was not my life. The problem was my attitude.
And so, dear readers, I know that at times you may feel completely alone in the world. I know that you may feel that you’ve been dealt an incredibly painful hand. I know that you may feel like it’s no longer worth it to stick around. I’ve been there, many times. If you find yourself feeling this way, PLEASE read this book. And please take the next step and talk to someone about your struggles. Your life is incredibly worthwhile & you have so much more to offer than you know.
Take it one step at a time & pretty soon you will be loving your life!
Have a wonderful evening and remember to Seize The Day!
Hello from Minnesota! I was diagnosed with Generalized Idiopathic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in 2006. My goal is to create and contribute to a community for those living with Epilepsy & other neurological disorders, so that we can support each other, raise awareness, and share our hope for fewer seizures in the future!