Let's talk about the chronic...chronic fatigue syndrome

Okay that title was my ridiculous attempt at bringing humor into a subject that many people probably don't find so humorous. But for me humor is part of healing. It helps keep an atmosphere of positivity in a situation that can be anything but positive. Its an important mechanism for staying constructive in the face of misfortune. It allows us to laugh at ourselves, recognize our own limitations and take strides to find balance again.

Finding balance can be difficult when you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Especially when its paramount characteristic is an unrelenting exhaustion that doesn’t go away with rest. Every cell in your body just wills you to stop.

I’m guessing many of us have been there at some point in our lives.  Been so fatigued that we just wanted to cry or collapse and not move for hours. If you haven't been there you are lucky and I hope that you never experience this feeling.

Making peace with fatigue and fibromyalgia ~ EarthArtBalance

Now imagine feeling that way every day or at least every day for weeks on end.  That is what its like to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. A condition that often manifests in tandem with fibromyalia. Now like every illness or condition it goes in waves some days the exhaustion is heavier than others.  That is why I find it so important to laugh at myself when I am feeling deeply exhausted.  To laugh and recognize that its my bodies way of saying: “I ain’t got time for any of that BS”.

No time for stress, No time for hate, No time for anger, No time for resentment, No time to take for granted, No time to waste,

I’m guessing you get the idea. Basically what suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has taught me is that I need to channel that person that doesn’t seem to get riled up by anything and is so chill you question whether they are human.

(I mean really how are they so relaxed all the time…do they secretly explode when no one is around???).

A little bit of peace is all we need ~ EarthArtBalance

But I digress. In any case my body has become its own B.S. meter reminding me to let go of all of the responses and feelings that suck up very valuable energy. It reminds me I have no time to get in my own way.  It empowers me to say “NO” to all of the crap and cultivate a life that is more fulfilling and for this I am grateful.

Now this doesn’t mean I’ve begun frolicking about, overjoyed by the freedom of letting go of all the B.S. in my life, because remember I originally got that reminder because I was exhausted to the point of not wanting to move.  Instead when I start to feel those energy suckers creep their way in, I remember to re-prioritize and make my way towards balance.  It is a lesson that many of us struggle to fully practice and embody in our lives. I for one am grateful to have found that lesson.  Now I just need to learn to embody it…hmm maybe that's a slice of the secret to being that relaxed easy going person…now I just have to perfect it.

Remember life is a journey...

~EAB