If you read my last post, you learned that I was hired as a licensed beauty expert and I was starting a new venture. What began as an exciting answer to prayer has now been turned into a teachable moment. You see, this new position has not gone as I had expected, hoped, or planned.
No sooner had I entered the workplace when I discovered this position required much more physically demanding duties than I had anticipated. By the end of my first week, it became apparent that I injured my back and my fibromyalgia was flaring. Real. Hard. Moments. The kind of disappointment that caused me to spend the weekend crying. I felt defeated. Even more, I questioned why on earth God would allow this new opportunity to open only to slam it in my face?
The truth is that sometimes life doesn't make sense. Oftentimes, things don't turn out the way we wanted. We may envision everything smoothly falling right into place, but sooner or later our reality may not appear the same. So when life does not go as planned what do we do? (By the way, it's alright to initially overreact, stomp your feet, scream, cry, vent, or punch a pillow. Just don't remain there permanently. Force yourself to get up, dust yourself off, and prepare for a new beginning.)
After the river of tears, frustrations, and gluten-free chocolate brownies, I came to terms with my reality. I have a legitimate disability, chronic pain, and I must give myself credit for at least trying to work outside the home. I would rather spend my life trying something new and it fail or not work out, rather than never try at all. To be scared and brave all at once by doing something new, but to never let fear hold me back.
Okay, so the dream job turned into a nightmare and I resigned after five days. We can't put a price tag on good health! No paycheck is more important than our wellness. It's only when we lose our health that we realize how precious it is. Only then can we place more value on taking better care of ourselves as well as our loved ones.
I've come to the conclusion that obtaining this position was not an accident. Instead, I choose to believe that God permitted it to happen because He had a grander purpose. Yes, there is a purpose for pain. Every battle, every loss, and every experience we go through in life can be used for something good. (Romans 8:28)
We don't need to know all of the answers. We just need to be open to recognizing the positive flip side of negative circumstances. This optimistic attitude helped me gain more insight earlier this week as I pondered the job loss. It was like a light bulb moment. What occurred to me is this: Had I not accepted the position that led to sustaining a back injury and increasing my fibro pain, I would never have known that retail sales is too physically demanding and not a good fit for me. Had I not pursued this job, I would have spent years questioning if I should have tried. Therefore, I'm grateful that I tried and gave it my best shot.
This revelation prompted me to google which occupations are best for people struggling with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, lupus, or arthritis. To my surprise, the research stated that writing is a perfectly suited job, especially when you work out of your home, which permits you to take breaks when needed. This takes me full circle to how I began my writing journey over eight years ago. Had it not been for the diagnosis of primary fibromyalgia, herniated discs, advanced degenerative disc disease, or any other nagging ailment, I never would have given up the job that I loved. Had I not been home full-time trying to improve my health and reduce my pain, I never would have become the author I am today.
So as you see, hidden underneath our rock bottom moments are blessings in disguise. Our messes become the Lord's powerful messages to our world who desperately seeks hope. As I process how best God can use my own challenges with fibromyalgia, I sense Him stirring in me to write my fourth book. The goal is to reach out to women battling this horrendous condition and to give them valuable content to gain insight into natural methods to reduce pain and improve their overall quality of life. My book title is, "Reclaim Your Life: Hope For Healing Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Naturally.
Of course, as an author, I admit that titles are subject to change or be revised. Time will tell! In the meanwhile, I am excited to be back to doing what I'm passionate about. If you or a loved one has a chronic pain condition, I would love your feedback on how I could best help you, encourage you, or provide for you some realistic strategies to increase you or your loved one's quality of life. Feel free to contact me or write your comment.
If your own life has not gone as planned and you are filled with anger, disappointment, or confusion, I pray that God will reveal something positive about your situation. Despite the losses, pain, or frustrations, may He give you hope and peace.
To Your Health & Wellness,
Dana
No sooner had I entered the workplace when I discovered this position required much more physically demanding duties than I had anticipated. By the end of my first week, it became apparent that I injured my back and my fibromyalgia was flaring. Real. Hard. Moments. The kind of disappointment that caused me to spend the weekend crying. I felt defeated. Even more, I questioned why on earth God would allow this new opportunity to open only to slam it in my face?
The truth is that sometimes life doesn't make sense. Oftentimes, things don't turn out the way we wanted. We may envision everything smoothly falling right into place, but sooner or later our reality may not appear the same. So when life does not go as planned what do we do? (By the way, it's alright to initially overreact, stomp your feet, scream, cry, vent, or punch a pillow. Just don't remain there permanently. Force yourself to get up, dust yourself off, and prepare for a new beginning.)
After the river of tears, frustrations, and gluten-free chocolate brownies, I came to terms with my reality. I have a legitimate disability, chronic pain, and I must give myself credit for at least trying to work outside the home. I would rather spend my life trying something new and it fail or not work out, rather than never try at all. To be scared and brave all at once by doing something new, but to never let fear hold me back.
Okay, so the dream job turned into a nightmare and I resigned after five days. We can't put a price tag on good health! No paycheck is more important than our wellness. It's only when we lose our health that we realize how precious it is. Only then can we place more value on taking better care of ourselves as well as our loved ones.
I've come to the conclusion that obtaining this position was not an accident. Instead, I choose to believe that God permitted it to happen because He had a grander purpose. Yes, there is a purpose for pain. Every battle, every loss, and every experience we go through in life can be used for something good. (Romans 8:28)
We don't need to know all of the answers. We just need to be open to recognizing the positive flip side of negative circumstances. This optimistic attitude helped me gain more insight earlier this week as I pondered the job loss. It was like a light bulb moment. What occurred to me is this: Had I not accepted the position that led to sustaining a back injury and increasing my fibro pain, I would never have known that retail sales is too physically demanding and not a good fit for me. Had I not pursued this job, I would have spent years questioning if I should have tried. Therefore, I'm grateful that I tried and gave it my best shot.
This revelation prompted me to google which occupations are best for people struggling with chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, lupus, or arthritis. To my surprise, the research stated that writing is a perfectly suited job, especially when you work out of your home, which permits you to take breaks when needed. This takes me full circle to how I began my writing journey over eight years ago. Had it not been for the diagnosis of primary fibromyalgia, herniated discs, advanced degenerative disc disease, or any other nagging ailment, I never would have given up the job that I loved. Had I not been home full-time trying to improve my health and reduce my pain, I never would have become the author I am today.
So as you see, hidden underneath our rock bottom moments are blessings in disguise. Our messes become the Lord's powerful messages to our world who desperately seeks hope. As I process how best God can use my own challenges with fibromyalgia, I sense Him stirring in me to write my fourth book. The goal is to reach out to women battling this horrendous condition and to give them valuable content to gain insight into natural methods to reduce pain and improve their overall quality of life. My book title is, "Reclaim Your Life: Hope For Healing Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Naturally.
Of course, as an author, I admit that titles are subject to change or be revised. Time will tell! In the meanwhile, I am excited to be back to doing what I'm passionate about. If you or a loved one has a chronic pain condition, I would love your feedback on how I could best help you, encourage you, or provide for you some realistic strategies to increase you or your loved one's quality of life. Feel free to contact me or write your comment.
If your own life has not gone as planned and you are filled with anger, disappointment, or confusion, I pray that God will reveal something positive about your situation. Despite the losses, pain, or frustrations, may He give you hope and peace.
To Your Health & Wellness,
Dana
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