by Candy Jules

Created on: October 23, 2007   Last Updated: July 31, 2008

Dwelling on the negative will kill you long before old age will. A positive attitude is the best medicine that there is. You can be totally healthy, and make yourself sick just by worry and stress. The problem is, this kind of lifestyle also lowers your immune system making you susceptible to many diseases.

Many people out there have lived with chronic illnesses for years. Those with the positive attitudes are able to cope because they are not ready to give up, nor are they willing to let their disease destroy what's left of their life.

My little neighbor girl was born with cerebral palsy, and is now 38 years old. A lot of people told me that she was mentally retarded. Believe me, there is nothing retarded about her. She has a speech impediment, and she is slow in some ways, but she has the most positive attitude of anyone I know.

I love her with all my heart, she makes me feel like there is good in everything if you really want to find it. She doesn't drive, but she walks constantly. She does this because she wants to, and because she likes to. She has gotten somewhat weaker in the past year, but she keeps on trucking. She is totally amazing.

Being positive helps to stay focus on what the situation is, and how to get past it. If a person just gives up and gives in to a problem, it will eventually eat him/her alive. Look for good in what time you still have, don't draw up into a shell. You'll die of loneliness that way.

You have to want to live in order to do the things that you need to do. Whatever the chronic illness is, you can't loose hope. Don't dwell on your illness. You can't get past it even for a short time, if you block the way with it. Live each day to the fullest, and do it one day at a time.

There is no guarantee in anybody's life as to how many years or days they have to live. Only God knows this. If you sit around and worry all the time, look how much time you've wasted, and how much of your life you just threw away. Life goes on until it's over. You need to make each day count, and make a lot of memories for those you have to leave behind.

Suffering is not fun for anybody. The one who is afflicted, or for the loved ones who have to watch the suffering. It's hard on everyone. Being positive has to be the bond that holds everyone together when times are bad. Chronic means that the illness comes and goes. Be thankful for the good days, and stand tall and hopeful on the bad ones. Togetherness is essential at a time such as this. It isn't easy for anyone, but knowing that no one is alone in these times helps more than some know.

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