Hope

Hope

What is hope? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope), hope is “to cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true.” However, hope encompasses much more than that. For those of us living with autoimmune or chronic illnesses, hope can be a word we often avoid. We question why we should set ourselves up for failure by indulging in wishful thinking or dreaming of brighter days when they seem unattainable. But it’s crucial to remember that our illnesses don’t define us.

I began envisioning my future and the place I wanted to be again. I asked myself what brought me joy, what unleashed my true potential, and what my new future looked like.

I relocated to Florida, near the beach. The ocean has always been my sanctuary. This is where I can dream freely and draw strength from nature that’s unparalleled anywhere else. What brings you solace? What dreams did you abandon? How can you rekindle your dreams? These are excellent starting points for healing both mentally and physically.

When I first moved here alone, I would visit the beach at any hour of the day, simply sitting and listening to the soothing waves. The ocean provided me with peace, allowing me to delve deep within myself and begin writing again, a passion I had long abandoned. Below is one of my initial writings.

        The waves roar in like a lion. You never know what is heading your way

        It’s so loud and yet so calm

        So beautiful but yet so scary

        The ocean holds soo many possibilities that we can’t even imagine

        Between the fish and the other life in the ocean

        It’s soo freeing and so comforting

        It’s like the ocean speaks to you when your mind can’t think for itself

        How amazing to have such a wonderful gift God gave us but most will never know

        The moon glistens and the waves get louder

        You can’t not listen to what they have to say

        The sand so soft and welcoming

        My thoughts are silenced and fears shut down

        Because I know that if God could create such a wonderful strong but soft place

        Then he could create me to be the same!

        The overwhelming peace and love that overcomes with each breeze of the wind is nothing a person can understand until they stop to actually feel it!!

    Not all of us are lucky enough to become one with gods best creation

 My hopes for today are simple. I hope to feel better than yesterday, find some peace with my diagnosis, and most importantly, find something to smile about. Take small steps and focus on the day, not the months or years. With chronic illness, it’s crucial to embrace each day as it comes. This approach helps us build strength for the challenging days and fosters a deeper appreciation for the simpler ones..