gratitude

What I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving

It wasn’t a good morning. I was dragging my cement-pillar legs around the kitchen and grew frustrated as I lurched from the refrigerator to the counter to feed the cat and the dog. I’d propped my two canes against the counter, but they’d slid to the floor ā€” not once,…

I’m Climbing the Hills of Adversity, Just Not in Heels

ā€œShoes are the quickest way for women to achieve instant metamorphosis.ā€ ā€” Manolo Blahnik As the holidays approach, I’m reminded to be thankful for what I have. I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) at 26 years old, and when I became paralyzed, I thought I’d never…

No Wasted Moments

A friend of mine recently recommended a book to me by the multitalented Brian Doyle called ā€œOne Long River of Song.ā€ Doyle, a devout Catholic (though I donā€™t think you need to be a Christian to appreciate his writing), was an award-winning essayist, poet, and novelist with more than…

A Catalogue of Tiny Gratitudes

I know quite a few of you are dealing with copious amounts of snow right now, but there is not a speck of white stuff on the ground where I live in Atlanta. And for that, I am grateful. Why? Because I do not like snow. I do not like…

On Being Truly Thankful

Well, friends, we are coming to the end of 2020. Thanksgiving is next week, and believe it or not, Christmas is just around the corner. And while I canā€™t say Iā€™m grateful for all the challenges this very weird and wacky year has presented me with, I remain so for…

Thankful Awakening: Accepting Change with SPMS

My happiness quotient correlates with my ability to give. I find tremendous satisfaction in doing this. This is one reason that I cherish Thanksgiving. I derive immense pleasure in creating this symbolic meal for those I love. For a subpar cook, I knock the socks off the classic Thanksgiving…

Need to Know: Expanding Your MS Symptom Journal

Editor’s note: “Need to Knowā€ is a series inspired by common forum questions and comments from readers. Have a comment or question about MS? Visit our forum.Ā This week’s question is inspired by the forum topicĀ “How do you feel about journaling? Itā€™s a good way to keep track of…

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…

The Greatest Gifts

Christmas is just around the corner, and thatā€™s why many people are on the fruitless quest for Fingerlings or hocking an organ to buy the new iPhone. Both might be the ā€œhotā€ presents of the season, but neither of them holds a candle to the great gifts we…

Building Toward Optimism: The ‘Tetris’ Effect

In the video game “Tetris,” players fit falling puzzle pieces together in order to create the most complete picture. As the game continues, the pieces fall faster. Creating order and cohesion out of chaos is necessary, as it is a common human desire. I never liked “Tetris,” but…

Can You Cultivate Happiness as a Habit?

Last week, I shared details ofĀ Everyday Matters,Ā a program by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. This self-directed, multi-week program uses the principles of positive psychology. The readings, lessons, and exercises need not be completed in a particular order, but I am going to start my exploration of…