encouragement

[willowwoman7]

I just realized something. In order to keep going with MS, I need to celebrate the small things. For example, I'm not using a riding push cart when I go shopping, As slow as I go, I still walk using the push cart.As small as that seems, with the pain I suffer, and the one long muscle cramp from my low back to my calves, that's a big deal to me. I decided I'm not going to let MS beat me down and make me feel useless, so I decided I'm going to try to encourage people. Maybe just a smile and "Have a great day" to my check out girl, or my bagger who wants to tell me about his new girl. Life isn't over because I have MS and can barely walk and the other things that go on. Hopefully, I can show the younger crowd how to meet adversity with grace and dignity. (and of course the occasional pity party in my medhelp journal). I hope I can be an encouragement to you all, too like you've been for me.

[yorkieville]

Heather,

   You are such a sweetheart! It means so much to me when a younger person holds a door for me. Often, when my husband drops me off at the door, I struggle to open the door, and a nice young person will rush to open that door for me. It means more than you know.

  One time, when I felt well enough, we went out for a snack, when the waitress, who was a young girl, leaned across to set my plate down, she stopped and looked into my eyes and she said, "My goodness, you have the most beautiful eyes!" Believe me, that made me feel so good, because I know how bad I look these days.

   You have a positive attitude and that is what will get you through it all.

   Hugs,
   Sheila

  

[Heather3418]

My mother used to tell me that you can literally make someone's whole day, by something you say or do.  So I try and give a compliment where compliments are due or open a door for an elderly lady...just trying to do something small for a person, each and every day.  Believe it or not, it makes ME feel better, not to mention what it does for that person that I might have said or done something special for.

What goes around comes around....Good deeds always come back to you two-fold.

You're right...we can't let MS control our lives.  I want to live in this world, not just exist IN it.

Heather

[yorkieville]

I think that's a pretty wonderful realization. I am learning that there is a fine line between keeping moving, and not over-doing. But after almost two years in bed, I'm grateful to be moving a little bit.

I promise you, a smile can work miracles. Back in '95, my only child had suddenly dropped out of college, enlisted in the military, because his 1st Love had broken his heart.

I was devastated. I walked through life as if in a fog, I was so depressed. One day, I walked into the check out line and the cashier looked right in my eyes, with a big, sincere smile and asked, "How are you today, Hon?" That smile and her sincere interest in how I was literally turned my mood around that day.

Already, your post has encouraged me, just knowing you want to encourage others.

We don't walk this walk, alone, we walk it, together.

Sheila