Taming the MS Beast!

Are you the lion tamer confidently keeping control over the fierce beast that in a blink of an eye, could easily eat you alive?

Or do you find yourself cowering in fear as the MS beast looms over your every thought like a dark storm cloud ready to reek havoc?

I ask this question because I recently attended a webinar on a discussion of MS treatments currently on the market and their potentially crippling side effects. With every minute that passed as I listened to personal accounts, I found myself slowly moving into a negative state of mind. I am not saying there is anything wrong or not valid in sharing our experiences both good and bad so we can be better informed and emotionally supported. But ask yourself this.

How much time in the day do you spend feeding the MS beast?

The more negative thoughts, words, or tears you feed the “MS you”, the less energy there is for the “real you”. It is easy to get lost in the vortex of crippling symptoms, potentially debilitating mood swings and constant battle with fatigue. The more you can rise above these warring emotions and instead, find some joy, gratitude and peace in every moment of the day, you are once again the victor. 

My sister recently asked me to go on an overnight shopping trip to get out of our small town and do some Christmas shopping. My first knee jerk answer was the old fallback “no” as it seemed easier to just stay home in the security of my slow paced life. The more I thought about it, I realized I was to quick to take the easy way out.

Why should I stay home and miss out on something that could be fun?

Hence, on November 11th, Remembrance Day in Canada, while every Canadian is remembering our fallen soldiers, I will be on my own charge into battle. This battle is a personal one. The battle against the MS beast. The prize, the choice to live my life.

By going on this what is sure to be an exhausting trip, entailing four hours of car travel on winter roads, eight hours of dodging crazy Christmas shoppers, I will be carrying my own personal war banner, the choice of “yes”.

While sipping my Starbucks pumpkin spice latte, I will be inwardly celebrating my best purchase of the day. The victory of living my life!

Of course, there are going to be days when you simply cannot attend an event or dance a jig, but the next time you catch yourself saying “no” to an invitation, ask yourself if you are simply choosing the easy way out. Living with MS is tough enough, we need to grab hold of the times we can laugh and have a good time. 

Yes, a good time is still possible

I encourage you to think about ow much unnecessary negative thoughts and words you give to the MS monster. Yes it is inevitably a part of your life. Yes you are going to have times when you feel defeated and down. But try replacing one good thought or feeling for every other bad one and you will start to see a difference.

I know the MS beast is always in the corner.

The trick is making sure it knows who is in charge!

Just before posting this, while warming up my coffee in the kitchen, the universe affirmed my thoughts, the radio was playing “Never surrender”! Need I say more?

Cindy Lee Lothian 

November 2, 2013