In a world filled with deadlines, important dates, schedules, and doctors’ appointments it’s important to find the humor in it all. I never know what a day will look like living with Cystic Fibrosis and I see it as an adventure. For example: last week started fine and normal… nothing out of the ordinary, then the chronic pain hit and for three days I couldn’t walk or move.
But it’s weeks like that, that test my humor. Instead of getting upset that I had to miss work, couldn’t practice yoga, the whole list, I just rolled with the punches and smiled at the chaos that is my life. It’s a good chaos, don’t get me wrong. The paramedics were kind, my nurse was fantastic, my doctor was pretty funny, and my husband drove and got me my favorite juice. I might have been in the ER, but it was still a good day because I was alive, and everything turned out to be okay! That’s how I have to look at my life, because deadlines and dates are NEVER a sure thing. I never know when something is going to hit, and I have to drop everything.
Sometimes I get frustrated that I don’t have a “normal” life. But how boring would it be to go about life without chaos? Pretty boring if you ask me. I am stronger because I have to start from scratch about a million times a year. I am more dedicated to being a kind loving individual because that’s all that matters in life; how you make others feel. I laugh more because I never know when I’ll lose my breath for an extended amount of time. On the good days I walk around repeating the mantra: I am happy, I am healthy, I am alive and, I am enough. On the hard days my mantra sounds a little like this: I will be okay, one foot in front of another, you are strong, and you are ALIVE.
How do you handle the rough days? I’d love to connect and chat about ALL the fun chaos of life. My Instagram account is @Ashleee.m Let’s get connected.
Oh and, you are ALWAYS enough. <3
Ashlee is 28 years old and lives in Reno, Nevada and is a past Grant Recipient of multiple CFLF Recreation Grants. She is a yoga teacher and enjoys spreading knowledge on health and wellness. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to her at ashleecmcdougall@gmail.com
Help Others Live STRONGER and LONGER-
***Views expressed in the CFLF Blog are those of the bloggers themselves and not necessarily of the Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation***
***Please speak with your physician before making any changes to your CF management***
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