Staying Positive Creates Silver Linings

I’m a bit of a weirdo. There, I said it. I admit it.

As an affirmation junkie, I am all about positive self-talk. I am always looking toward the positive side of life. There is a silver lining even in my diagnosis of lupus. Because of my outlook, I often have a difficult time when I see or hear people having a hard time.

I know it’s their story, and I encourage them to tell it, but sometimes reading it freaks me out. Here’s why: I believe there are some really powerful words you can put out into the universe. Those words have energy attached to them. Negative brings negative, and positive brings positive. It doesn’t matter that it’s not your negativity; if you are breathing in too much negativity, you will get more negativity. So, when I read the stories of others, and it is a constant barrage of feeling bad, I am upset, and I am angry. I find myself needing a break because it drains my positive energy.

I often share things to inform, to make others aware of the effects of lupus. At times, the responses are “I am suffering,” “I have suffered,” or “I have not suffered yet.” That last one is the one that I do my best to discourage. If you don’t have it, why claim it, as if you know it’s coming? I don’t invite bad guests to dinner. I pray they don’t crash my parties, and if they do, I try to kick them out to keep them from ruining things.

Negative thinking, whether we realize it or not, brings us more issues because what you focus on expands. As part of my self-care, I try to avoid as much negativity as possible. I do my best to get the people around me to see the good in a situation instead of the bad. It’s so easy to look at the bad, but it impacts our outlook. I encourage you to flip the coin when something bad happens; I challenge you to find the good, as well.

I got a diagnosis of lupus, and now the people around me have a heightened awareness of not just my disease, but autoimmune diseases as a whole. Some had no clue what was happening to them, went to the doctor and were able to get a diagnosis based on information that was shared.

I lost my job because of the unpredictable nature of lupus.I learned how to create an income not just for me, but for others like me, by teaching the skills to start online businesses. When I am sleeping, I am still earning. When I am in pain or the hospital, I don’t have to call out and worry about angering my boss.

My healthcare in the states was insanely expensive, especially without insurance. I got to travel to see what other cultures experienced when they needed quality healthcare, and found truly affordable alternatives.

I could take all of these difficult things and just leave them as difficulties. Instead, I prefer to look for the silver lining. I hope you will decide to do the same.

I can tell you that I believe it has made a world of difference when it comes down to how much time I spend in excruciating pain, versus manageable pain. When I hurt, I’m down, but I keep visualizing, reciting and pushing my mind toward a more positive outlook.

Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.