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Where you find yourself tomorrow is a function of the positive decisions and actions you take today.- Akin A. Awolaja
Last week one of my goals was to pondered what I really want and brainstorm ways to remind myself of what I want in positive, loving ways. The goal of this exercise was to further develop my motivation as I have been struggling with completing some new tasks and developing some new habits. I now know from the FlyLady that reminding yourself what you want and reinforcing it with positive self-talk is self-discipline in action.
I've also realized that applying self-help strategies to managing symptoms of chronic illness is really all about refining the skill of self-discipline. According to Wikipedia, the definition of self-discipline is:
Self-discipline refers to the training that one gives one's self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behaviour, even though one would really rather be doing something else.
While some of the changes I have made in my life post chronic illness have been relatively easy, other changes are an ongoing struggle. Right now I am feeling stymied trying to incorporate planned daily rest into each day and trying to allocate my time optimally to include home chores. It's left me thinking that one of my faults is not being diligent about doing the things I don't like doing good. But getting mired in a negative assessment of my skills won't help. I need to be focused on learning how to bolster myself with positive self-talk to spur my motivation and my completion of these tasks and behavior changes.
It's good to be a part of a group of other persons living with chronic illness. Through the groups at CFIDS & Fibromyalgia Self Help I am finding others who share my desire to make changes but are having difficulties implementing them. In sharing my struggles with the group, I am at least consoled knowing that many other people struggle with the same dilemma.
Living my best life despite chronic illness presents me with a daily challenge to engage in the numerous tasks and behaviors that help me manage my symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and dysautonomia. To keep my momentum moving forward, perhaps some days I simply need to take a step back and reminding myself of all the changes and tasks I have completed so far instead of focusing on what remains to be done. I need to remind myself that if I am persistent in my pursuit of self-discipline I will find myself in a better place tomorrow.
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