We're only human and it's natural when we're suffering to feel disappointed and angry when people don't come through for us like we'd like. After 25 years of ME/CFS and through my 12-step program, however, I've learned that expectations of others lead to resentment and then self-pity. After having spent many years wallowing in self-pity, I've figured out that it is the most destructive place to be and work hard to keep it at bay. I try to live in acceptance; I recommend the book HOW TO BE SICK by Toni Bernhard who is bed-bound with CFS. No matter how much I feel sorry for myself, it doesn't change my reality but only makes it worse. This doesn't mean giving up hope that through research something will be discovered that will make me well again. It simply means accepting my reality for now. In working my 12-step program, I had the spiritual experience that is promised and it wasn't so much about G-d but more about how everything is not all about me. What a relief! And I discovered that even with all of my limitations I can find ways to be of service to others and stop thinking about myself all of the time. The less I think about myself, the happier I become. Can't seem to effectively log in and so my remarks are posted as anonymous. I am Esther Siebert in CA.
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We're only human and it's natural when we're suffering to feel disappointed and angry when people don't come through for us like we'd like. After 25 years of ME/CFS and through my 12-step program, however, I've learned that expectations of others lead to resentment and then self-pity. After having spent many years wallowing in self-pity, I've figured out that it is the most destructive place to be and work hard to keep it at bay. I try to live in acceptance; I recommend the book HOW TO BE SICK by Toni Bernhard who is bed-bound with CFS. No matter how much I feel sorry for myself, it doesn't change my reality but only makes it worse. This doesn't mean giving up hope that through research something will be discovered that will make me well again. It simply means accepting my reality for now. In working my 12-step program, I had the spiritual experience that is promised and it wasn't so much about G-d but more about how everything is not all about me. What a relief! And I discovered that even with all of my limitations I can find ways to be of service to others and stop thinking about myself all of the time. The less I think about myself, the happier I become. Can't seem to effectively log in and so my remarks are posted as anonymous. I am Esther Siebert in CA.
July 12, 2011 - 10:04amThis Comment
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