April 10, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson A Message of Hope from a Firefly While growing up, I loved seeing fireflies (or lightning bugs, as I called them) at night. My friends and I would chase them, trying to grasp one. There was something about the light and their ability to shine in the blanket of darkness that engulfed us. We felt…
March 27, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Moving Forward After MS Awareness Month We are approaching the conclusion of National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, but those of us with MS know that the responsibility to educate is unending. I was pondering what my topic would be this week. As awareness month exits, I want to proffer an encouraging message. This…
March 20, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson ‘Iām Tired’ Does Not Mean ‘I Quit’ I made an unexpected appearance at the emergency room this week, which culminated in a short hospital stay. I have been ailing for weeks, making the conscious choice to live each day as best I can. Managing pain and combating emotions and illness in everyday life is difficult, as…
March 13, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Living Just for Today Last week, I wrote about the incessant emotions of MS and chronic illness. This week, I will focus on living in the present moment. Remaining on a quest to continue the depiction of real life with MS for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month 2018, this weekās column will…
March 6, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Ride Doesn’t Stop: MS-related Emotions Revisited āWhat is wrong with you?” I have been asked this question numerous times by significant people in my life. The most recent was a few days ago. The question usually occurs during the times I have an emotional āmeltdown.ā Whenever I hear it, I get defensive, thinking that I…
February 27, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Sun Shall Rise I had the flu for several days, and it was disastrous. So, I did not write last week. I hope you missed the column as much as I missed writing it and hearing from you. Several of my friends have the flu as well. This is an awful…
February 13, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Intimacy, Marriage, and Chronic Illness Intimacy is defined as close familiarity and/or friendship. It can also describe an act. We have intimate relationships with the people in our lives. Those intimate relationships strengthen us as we travel the arduous path of chronic illness. This week is Valentineās week, so I thought Iād discuss the…
February 6, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson I Choose to Address Chronic Illness on My Terms Who decides how we choose to chronicle our journey of illness? I have thought about this for the past few days. Many people believe that sharing the negative aspects of illness exacerbates fear and pessimism. The mindset is that if our words are inconsistent with hope and optimism, we…
January 23, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Look to the Hills: Words of Encouragement from a Cancer Survivor to an MS Warrior We endured another devastating loss this week. My beloved sister-in-law, a cancer survivor whom I affectionately called sister, passed away. Although we knew her disease was terminal, she passed away unexpectedly in her sleep. Death is never easy, and no matter how much we try, we cannot entirely prepare…
January 16, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Stigma Surrounding Depression Lots of columns and articles look at issues surrounding the topics of depression and mental health-related disorders. I have referenced them in various columns. What saddens me is the stigma surrounding depression that prevails in our society. There are many who struggle with depression and other forms of…
January 9, 2018 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Feeling Good and My Jar of Happiness āItās a new dawn, itās a new day and Iām feeling good.ā As I am writing my column this song is playing in my head. I enjoy listening to Nina Simone because her voice is distinctive and telling. Her songs chant her feelings of despair and…
December 25, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson My ABCs of Gratitude: Reflections of an MS Warrior (Continued) In last weekās column, I shared what I called my ABCs of gratitude. In the past few days, Iāve had to revisit my list several times. This was a distressing week. Even more perplexing is my inability to determine the exact cause of my anguish. I could not…
December 12, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson My ABCs of Gratitude: Reflections of an MS Warrior Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. By definition, we can infer that, in addition to it being a quality, it is also an act. Gratitude is not an exact science, it takes practice, development, participation and…
December 5, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Treat Others as You Wish to Be Treated: An Open Letter to Our Spouses and Partners My journey in life has allowed me to connect with and meet people from all over the world. For this, I am blessed. Iāve met many diagnosed with MS and other chronic illnesses. All of our experiences are different and we have varying levels of support. A little while…
November 21, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Still, I Am Grateful and Giving Thanks I canāt believe Thanksgiving is only a few days away. Time truly passes quickly. The holidays are bittersweet for me; I experience both joy and unrest. I believe there are others who can relate. The holiday season can be stressful and I always try to pace myself. In…
November 14, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Awe of Autumn: Welcoming Change , Spring has always been my favorite season. There is something about flowers blooming, grass growing and the germination process that invigorates me. Spring reminds me that a new season is coming and it ignites hope. I am discovering that autumn deeply resonates with me as well. When I…
October 31, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Invisible Illness Awareness: The Struggle Continues Last week was Invisible Illness Awareness Week, which ran from Oct 14-20. Awareness weeks are designed to bring attention to certain conditions, issues and situations. They are directed at creating consciousness and disseminating information. Sadly, invisible illness is a subject that needs much more attention. Those of…
October 24, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Smiling With Intention: Counting Blessings Although a smile costs nothing, it can be just what a person needs. Many have encouraged me throughout my life with a smile, thus teaching me how powerful the act of smiling can be. Someone complimented me on my smile this week. I smiled again with a heartfelt…
October 10, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Chosen Ones We are familiar with the “why me” moments? I reference this often because it is a recurring subject in the lives of people with chronic illness. As a little girl Iād ask my parents whyĀ my heart is sick, and as an adult, I still ask why have I…
September 26, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Retreating from the Noise: the Importance of Peace Our world is chaotic right now. I literally have to disengage from social media and periodically turn off the news just to rejuvenate my spirit and find some peace. It is difficult to remain positive in a pessimistic society. We are divided by politics and spiritual beliefs. We are…
September 12, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson MS, Chronic Illness and Strength: When Courage Is Silent Courage is a recurring theme in my column. Many of us are familiar with the cowardly lion from the Wizard Of Oz. The lion itself is an animal known for its strength, beauty and valor. Thus, to think of a lion as a coward appears to be a…
September 5, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson We’re Still Here We celebrated my dear friendās pastoral anniversary on Sunday, and the service was dynamic. Although I do not want to make this column a religious sermon, I hope toĀ use the message from the guest speaker to inspire you. It does not matter what faith, color, or creed that…
August 22, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Heart of It All and Healing from Within āThe very beating of your heart has meaning and purpose.ā This is a quote from Andy Andrews in “The Butterfly Effect.” I have referenced this quote on several occasions. It speaks volumes because it affirms that we are here on purpose, not by chance. I did an…
August 15, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson My Tired Is Not Your Tired Fatigue. Most people with chronic illness ā especially MS ā experience this. My energy levels vary from one day to the next. I am tired of being tired (pun intended). There are days when getting out of bed is challenging, and times when I literally have to force…
August 8, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Lessons Learned from Loss: A Tribute Why me? Why us? What have I done? How much loss can I endure? Weāve all been here. This was one of my weeks. The unexpected death of my nephew hurled me into this episodic gloom. I asked āWhat else is going to happen? Is life trying to…
August 1, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Use the Power of Writing to Lift Yourself, Others The art of writing has been my refuge during some incredibly difficult times. Writing also serves as a vessel to express my joys, life lessons, and messages I wish to share with others. Writing is therapeutic. Expressing myself through prose and poetry allows me to connect with others. It…
July 25, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson Like A Skyscraper: Tall, Strong and Monumental My columnĀ last week focused on the difficulties of managing the emotions that accompany MS. I sincerely thank you for your responses, stories and words of encouragement. Again, the one thing that was apparent is that most of us fight this battle. We are left to sit with…
July 18, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson The Emotional Roller Coaster of Managing Emotions with MS I am an emotional, sensitive woman. I like to believe that I have a warm heart in a very cold world. Isnāt this what the world needs? Love, warmth, acceptance and transparency? Recently I find that my emotions change within a millisecond. So, instead of being sensitive, I…
July 11, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson An Unlimited Mind Must Recognize Physical Limitations It has been a busy few weeks. Well, when I think about it, every week is busy. There is always something that must be done. Just when I think things will slow down, my schedule lengthens. Admittedly, I am not a technology expert, so I rely on the…
June 27, 2017 Columns by Teresa Wright-Johnson MS, Religion, and Spirituality: Why I Believe In God Religion and spirituality are personal, delicate issues for many. Various schools of thought exist, and I havenāt the desire or the ability to deem one more important than the other. Writing about religious and spiritual matters is at times taboo in an often secular world. I can, however,…