You Don't Look Sick

I read this a long time ago at a site called You Don’t Look Sick.  The link takes you there:  http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

It’s a great analogy of what daily life is like for the chronically ill.  She really nails it (she has Lupus). 

Pam took me shopping today, and when we pulled into the handicapped space at Trader Joe’s someone else pulled into the spot next to me, also handicapped.  The driver was looking at me steadily, as if judging whether or not I really was handicapped.  At least that’s what I thought.  She was probably just waiting for me so she could get out.  It’s funny, because before I needed it, I would sometimes judge a person in that space.  I don’t anymore.  I know that on some days, I “look” fine too. 

Not much more to say today....have fun if you go out to celebrate, drink responsibly, etc. etc.  If you stay home, have a lovely, quiet evening (as will I) and don't make resolutions because they don't mean anything if you aren't sure you want to make one.  You can do it any time and any day of the year so do it when you are committed to whatever you are resolving to do.  And don't beat yourself up if you break it on occasion; the worst thing you can do is convince yourself you aren't able to do so.  For the end of the year, I will leave you with Marianne Williamson's famous quote from "A Return to Love" that Nelson Mandela used in his Inaugural speech in 1994

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us; we ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are the child of G-d; your playing small doesn't serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of G-d that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"



Blessings to you all!