January 2025 was a month of civics lessons for anyone watching the news. We heard the term “executive order” more times than many of us care to count. While Americans are experiencing a crash course in U.S. government, that political term “executive order” can help pose an important question to…
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Near the end of 2024, the support group Lupus in Color posted the following “lupus serenity prayer” on Instagram: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the changes and challenges of living with lupus, the courage to face each day with strength, and the wisdom to do what’s good…
As we flip the page to a new year, the pull of hustle culture on social media hasn’t seemed to change. Messages urge us to do more, achieve more, and push harder. But for those of us living with lupus, this mindset isn’t just unhelpful; it can be downright…
It’s amazing the number of times we hear people speak negatively about themselves or their circumstances. Staying free from the doldrums is a challenge when living with chronic, rare conditions. Honestly, who can stay positive when your body is home to an immune system that attacks and attacks and attacks?…
As another year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting not only on the milestones of the past 12 months, but also on the journey that’s brought me to this moment. When I look back at the years when I was so sick, growing up with unexplainable pain and…
One of the most horrendous aspects of living with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is dealing with the additional diseases and chronic conditions that lupus causes. Lupus is insidious; it ushers in more symptoms and new diagnoses without warning and then releases a brutal, wolfish attack. It’s torturous being the…
It’s no secret that living with lupus or other chronic illnesses often feels like a constant game of tug-of-war. One part of us aches to chase after our dreams, tackle projects, and seize life, while the other part is continually reminded of the need to slow down, conserve energy,…
About 200 million people worldwide, including almost 68 million Americans, use Open AI’s ChatGPT weekly, according to Backlinko. In January 2024, the average ChatGPT session lasted 13 minutes, 35 seconds. There are many contrasting opinions about using artificial intelligence (AI) systems such as ChatGPT to understand critical issues like…
Having moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains not long ago, I’m finally experiencing that time of year when the leaves change and the air gets chilly. My time of year has arrived. You see, I learned many years ago, through journaling, that heat and sun are two of my biggest…
Living with lupus or another chronic illness means making decisions most people never have to consider. One of the hardest choices for me was to prioritize rest, even when it meant saying no to family, friends, or opportunities. For those of us with lupus or similar diseases, saying…
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