08 Feb Writing Gives Me Hope and Purpose

I choose to write because it brings structure to my mind, eases some of my chronic pain, helps me find inner peace, and it assists me in understanding what I am physically going through. In a way, writing has given me parts of my life back. Writing opened up my world and helped me find a path to hope, new purpose, and a deeper understanding of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), and my health challenges. Everyone wants to feel alive, have hope, and know that they serve a purpose in the world. 

The inspirational and empowering words of encouragement I share helps me feel useful, keeps me sane in a sometimes insane world, and allows me to reach the souls of others. The power of heartfelt, uplifting words can touch someone and reassure them that they are not alone. My words of encouragement, faith sentiments and positive affirmations remind people that their thoughts are valid, and allows them to connect with me, and helps them see that someone gets their troubles and recognizes their pain.

At first the creative writing was an attempt at distraction and a source for me to try tracking the changes in my eyes; kind of like a research paper. Not in a thesis kind of way, but more like a wake up call to look for deeper meaning in the circumstances. I thought that maybe I was missing something that would cure, reverse the nerve damage, or remove some of the pain. My biggest fear was that the answers were right in front of me and that me and my physicians were missing a link to recovering my normal life. At least that was my hope. I thought I could mind map the problem, find the answer to the missing medical solution and I would get the “fix” to permanently remove the deep eye pain, swelling, and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD).

I believe there is a cure on the horizon for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and that science, rational thinking, and my need for relief will lead me to effective treatment. I have learned a lot through writing, but no cure. New treatment options are surfacing, and unfortunately more people’s eyes are being damaged by RSD. For most of the new eye RSD cases I have listened to, their RSD did not start in their eyes. Though there has been a plethora of reports of less than favorable outcomes after lasik eye treatments that are resulting in similar pain issues.

By gathering my thoughts, focusing, writing and in some cases journaling, I have learned many helpful truths. The following lists are some of the best thoughts and most important life lessons I can share with you:

• That we should always hold onto our dreams, or at least be willing to build new opportunities and embrace new dreams if life throws you a curb.
• The best way to survive any challenge you may face, is to maintain focus.
• That you can never afford to let anything take your will to survive. 
• You must always hold onto your hope, and remain flexible to live and create a productive life. 
• Survival is possible if you can find enough will to live. 
• Chronic pain can take your mind and your life if you let it.
• No matter what knocks you down, you must keep getting back up, planting your feet, dusting yourself off, and getting back into the ring again. 
• We are built to survive and thrive in spite of life’s setbacks.

One of the best lessons that I now realize is that the human spirit has so much more strength than we are able to comprehend. Writing has helped me realize that some of that strength can be tapped into and used even when you are suffering unimaginable pain and that maybe if you change your view of the suffering, the physical pain, and the emotional hurt, you can still find a route to joy, purpose, and you may find some happiness too.

A route to joy, hope, and happiness is what my inspirational collection, Poetry from the Heart is all about. It is about people experiencing life and all of life’s challenges and still finding a way to survive the toughest season of their life. It is about standing tall in the truth about whatever it is that you are going through. You could be going through pain, chronic illness, or some other life changing injury, accident or situation that cause you to disconnect or break from the life you envisioned, desired, and dreamt of for yourself and your family.

If you are struggling in life, and you find a passion or source of encouragement, you can find joy. Even if you think your pain, injury, loss or grief is too deep, trust that you can build a new life and potentially find ways to return to society. You can learn to love life again.

I do not have full use of my eyes, nor do I often have pain free moments. When I am able, I function with purpose. Maybe the reason for some of the battles we fight, is to learn how strong we are so we can help others on their journey?

You may not able to do everything that you want, but you can get portions of your life back. You can find reasons to smile, help others smile, and you can find ways to enjoy the rest of your life. Even in a compromised state, we all have a purpose.