When I first began to improve my outlook, it was quite shallow. In other words, it was on the surface only – the only benefit it served me was to not appear a whiner to others. I would paint a smile and spew words of encouragement from my lips yet dying on the inside out of fear, insecurity, and turmoil.

For a time, my standard response of “I’m great!” was as close to an out-right lie as possible for me to utter. It seemed, however, that it was the only socially appropriate way to handle the fact that my life was falling apart – or so I thought. After countless exclamations of “Great!”, “Fantastiic!”, or “Fabulous!”… guess what? I REALLY AM.

I AM FABULOUS

I learned something very important in the last several months: You are NOT your health condition! Alright… to be truthful, I never believed that I was, but the discovery I made is related to this factor of identification. I DO NOT consider myself to be a sick person at all. I don’t even identify with the label of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. If a stranger asked me why I used a walker or wheelchair, it would take me a moment or two to remember that my legs are weak. Other than a couple of slight challenges, this is no longer affecting my life in any way worth mentioning.

I have more energy and stamina than I have ever had before – most days, I practically jump out of bed, ready to take on a jam-packed day. Many people with my “label” experience bouts of intense fatigue. NOT ME! When faced with a serious health challenge, CLEAN UP YOUR LIFE AND NOURISH.

Nourish the body, mind, and spirit. Feed the body nutrient-rich living foods and avoid the food-like substances that are flooding the grocery stores. Exercise as much as possible – move it or lose it! Keep positive thoughts flowing through the mind. Lift the spirit through meditation and prayer. A diagnosis is just a label – do not make it your identifying trait. I am Rebecca. I am a speaker, writer, and designer. I am NOT my diagnosis!

What I am overcoming is my perception of limitation. I am knocking down these walls of lack and filling them with opportunity. Since I completely accept the fact that I have both an MS and FMS diagnosis, it is becoming easier and easier to simply shrug my shoulders casually at a cane, walker, or wheelchair. It doesn’t even occur to me anymore that it is something worth wasting any attention on. It doesn’t mean that I like it… it has simply left the forefront of my mind.

My focus and energy are directed at pursuits and passions. Infusing my goals with this energy is bringing them all to life in exciting and inspiring ways! My public speaking is flourishing with engagements and awards, my career in fun and experimentation, my accolades culminating in my doctoral dissertation… my spirit softened by selectively chosen courses and modules. My personal life is blessed with the most wonderful husband a lady could ever hope for. I have overcome by acceptance and becoming a wellness warrior. Overcoming is truly the path to becoming!

I am here to do all of these things.

It seems rather ironic that it took some chronic health challenges to make me realize it, though. However, when I think about it, this is usually the way that the story goes. I was living in a decidedly unmindful manner before all of this started. I wasn’t able to live in the present – I was always residing in the PAST or the FUTURE. Now, every moment, minute, hour, and day is an incredible blessing. It is unwritten adventure to be carried out and I am the magician who waves the wand to make it happen!

I’m not thrilled with bodily pain or weakness I experience but there are some incredible gifts in it. I rejoice triumphantly when I am not in pain. I honour my body with the best food and supplements. I enjoy and relish many different types of movement. I am as excited as a small child at Christmas when I see miniscule improvements in my strength. I find excitement in things that have never before tweaked my fancy. Overall, I am more open-minded. I am here to INSPIRE!

By creating loving, joyous thoughts, I create a loving, joyous world. I am safe and free. – Louise Hay