Weird metaphor that works for me—I have lifelong chronic asthma. I can’t “fix it” and just not have it. But I can choose to work hard at following through with treatment options to alleviate the symptoms. Inhalers, allergy shots, cardiovascular strengthening, avoiding triggers, etc. I can also choose to find hobbies that are safer for me, like dancing indoors instead of jogging outdoors. I can choose to embrace a sense of self-worth based on my career, or kindness to others, or brains rather than how athletic I am.
Life can be incredibly unfair and send you things that make it harder to be happy. We can’t choose not to have depression, or (in my mom’s case) cancer, or (as with my husband) a genetic-predisposition to addiction, or (as with my brother) bipolar tendencies. But there are specific choices we can make for ourselves that can help us feel more empowered, more in touch with who we want to be, happier and healthier.
It’s not perfect, but sometimes it’s enough for me
