Gratitude Helps Coping with Multiple Illnesses

Why I Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is a skill that I need to practice on a regular basis. It does not come naturally to me. Sometimes, I want to stew in my own misery, but I try to shake myself out of it with a good heart. Practicing the gratitude rule helps me to:

• feel less lonely and isolated.
• be more forgiving.
• have more positive thoughts and emotions.
• be more optimistic and happier.
• focus on what matters in life, rather than be overly materialistic.
• tap into my own potential, rather than be jealous.
• feel less stressed.
• do more self-care activities.

How I Practice Gratitude

My 3 approaches to expressing gratitude are simple because I have many things to do in a day to take care of myself, such as planning meals, eating at regular times, doing daily exercise at regular times, mindfulness practice, multiple daily insulin injections, taking oral medication and vital supplements at the correct time, drinking adequate amounts of water, monitoring blood sugar levels, making sure I do not eat gluten through cross-contamination or from not knowing what is in the food I eat (if I eat at a restaurant or at someone's home), managing my depression and anxiety, and the list goes on...

Keep a gratitude journal

I try to write in my gratitude journal after breakfast or before I go to bed. If I don't write anything for the day, I reread past entries. Sometimes I write one comment, sometimes more. I have a beautiful journal I write in, but if a "gratitude" comes to mind, I write it on the closest piece a paper I have at the moment. I try to be as specific as possible. One day I wrote this comment because I was feeling fatigue about managing my diabetes. Diabetes is 24/7/365, but my Dexcom continuous glucose monitor is making my care a little easier. I put the sticky note in my journal later in the day.

Say thank you

When I wake up in the morning, I say "Thank you Creator for today." If I wake up with high blood sugars or with increased anxiety or some other health issue, my gratitude prayer reminds me that I have today to take care of myself.

Read spiritual teachings

I used to watch a lot of horror movies for entertainment, but they would enter my dreams while I slept. Now I try to watch comedies and inspirational movies because they motivate me to take better care of myself. This is a choice I make. Reading spiritual teachings is another choice I make to cope with multiple illnesses. Reading spiritual teachings keeps the despair at bay, especially when coping with depression and anxiety.

• "Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You; through those who endure sickness and trial...Happy those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they will be crowned. Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve Him with great humility. " - St. Francis of Assisi

For me practicing gratitude is a form of prayer because it gives me hope and it reminds me, I am a part of Creation which is miraculous and beautiful. Practicing gratitude is an act of humility, not always easy, but worth the effort.

• “Every day, think as you wake up: Today I am fortunate to have woken up. I am alive. I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others... I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry, or think badly about others. ” - Dalai Lama

I repeat his words hoping I can live by them as best to my ability. I don't always live by these words, but I try. I remind myself that I am " practicing" gratitude.

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