Looking for tools to take you into 2012 and beyond? Start with this helpful self-assessment: 

• EnergyDrainers.pdf

If you found this assessment helpful, you'll probably benefit from coaching as well.

Contact me to learn more about coaching or to schedule a free introductory session.

Defining Goals

1. If you were to FULLY live your life, what is the first change you would start to make?
2. What areas of your life could be upgraded/ tweaked?
3. What could we work on now that would make the biggest difference to your life?
4. How would you feel about doubling that goal?
5. What are you tolerating/ putting up with?
6. What do you want MORE of in your life? (Make a list)
7. What do you want LESS of in your life? (Make a list)
8. What are three things you are doing regularly that don’t serve or support you?
9. How could you make this goal more specific or measurable?
10. What would be the biggest impact from achieving your goal(s)?
11. What would you try now if you knew you could not fail?
12. How can we make this something you’re aiming towards, rather than something you’re trying to move away from?
13. What do you love?
14. What do you hate?
15. What’s one thing you would love to do before you die?
16. Is now the right time for you to make a commitment to achieving these goals?
17. What could we work on right now that would really put a smile on your face?
18. For your life to be perfect, what would you have to change?
19. What do you really, really want?
20. What’s one change you could make to your lifestyle that would give you more peace?'

Action Steps

1. What’s the first/next step?
2. What research could you do to help you find the first (or next) step?
3. Who could you talk to who would illuminate this issue?
4. Who should you be hanging out with – so that achieving this goal becomes natural? (i.e. who’s already doing it?)
5. How can you get the knowledge/information you need?
6. What are three actions you could take that would make sense this week?
7. On a scale of 1 to 10, how excited do you feel about taking these actions?
8. What would increase that score? (e.g. handle fear, clearer steps, more support, more fun)
9. What would Tony Robbins do in this situation? What would “massive action” look like?
10. What will happen (what is the cost) of you NOT doing anything about this?

Gaining New Perspectives

1. What can you learn from this?
2. In what way is the current situation absolutely perfect?
3. How could you turn this around immediately, and enjoy the process?
4. What in this situation can you find to be grateful for?
5. What are you doing will? What can you do better?
6. What’s one way you could have more fun in your life?
7. If you were your own coach, what coaching would you give yourself right now?
8. What is the value of your current attitude?
9. What’s your favorite way of sabotaging yourself, and your goals?
10. What should I say to you if I spot you doing this?

Diagnostics

1. What are three of your greatest strengths?
2. What are you most excited about now? What are you looking forward to?
3. What’s one way to get more energy into your life?
4. If your relationship was IDEAL, what’s one thing that would be different?
5. What would be your ideal career – If you could do anything?
6. What’s one thing that you could do to give yourself more peace financially?
7. What is your life really about? What is your purpose?
8. If you had to guess your life purpose (from looking at your life to date), what would it be?
9. What would you like most to be acknowledged for so far in your life?
10. Who in your life should be acknowledged more? Would you like to acknowledge them for something today?

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May be freely shared and distributed, without alteration, providing not for financial gain compliments of www.solutionbox.com

Simple living can seem elusive. In a world focused on achieving and accumulating more and bumper stickers that read, “He who dies with the most toys wins,” the reality of simple living seems like some pie-in-the sky ambition, a trend. Despite the proliferation of products, books, magazines, classes, and organizational systems guaranteed to simplify our lives, most of us continue to hurry through live, pursuing activities and making purchases that ultimately add to life’s clutter. There has to be a better way.

As my rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases have worsened over the years, my desire for simple living has grown. It has become a quality of life issue for me; and if you live with chronic illness, it is one for you as well. Ask yourself, Do I really want to spend my limited physical and emotional energy dusting rooms full of things I never use? How much physical, emotional, and spiritual space could I free up if I removed the clutter from my life?

But how do you define simple living? What’s simple for me might not be simple for you.

I have looked for a satisfying definition for years, but could never seem to find one that fit. Until now. My thanks to author Tsh Oxenreider, who wrote Organized Simplicity: The Clutter Free Approach to Intentional Living, for her definition, which I have adopted for my life as well. She says this, “It applies to everybody; it’s timeless, and it’s not bound by cultural trends or norms. It can be your definition for the rest of your life.” Her definition of simple living is this: living holistically with your life’s purpose. And I would add: life purpose is always directed toward others.

Holistic living means the different parts of your life all line up in the same direction—toward your life’s purpose. “All the independent things in your life—the items you own, how you spend your time, the relationships you cultivate, and the books you read—ultimately benefit your life’s purpose,” writes Oxenreider. “There is no clutter. The hours and days and weeks reflect your priorities, and so does the space in which you live.”

So simple, yet so profound.

Removing the Clutter

Personally, I’ve made several significant changes to my life over the past year, all of which fall under the category of moving toward a more simple, meaningful life that supports my life purpose and gives me the time and energy I need to focus of what I value most. I have not yet arrived, but I am headed in the right direction.

Here are two significant changes I’ve made over the past year, along with the benefits these changes brought:

Home as Sanctuary

For most of my life, I viewed my home as a quick place to refuel rather than a sanctuary. Cluttered with things acquired over more than thirty years of marriage, I had my space (my office and bookcases) and my husband had his (the basement and garage). The basement contained his lazy-boy leather recliners while my office featured artwork, books, and pops of color. And never the twain shall meet.

As my health declined, I began spending more time at home. The cry of my soul was for a sanctuary and a space that would reflect not only me but us as a couple. And so I created one.

My husband and I sold our beaten-up, clunky furniture, along with the tschotchkes we had scattered throughout the house that survived our son’s growing up years, two dogs, and two rabbits in a garage sale. We replaced our old things with simple, inexpensive furniture with clean lines. We painted the walls, cleared the clutter, and created the home of our dreams—all while staying on a budget. Our home now reflects us as individuals and as a couple. It brings together two very different personalities as one, a reflection of the marital relationship and union.

Just as we retain our individuality in marriage, so, too, we’ve made for individual expression in our home. As a writer and coach, I spend many hours in my office, so I needed a warm, inviting, and inspiring space where I could spend hours at a time. I painted the walls a spicy red with orange undertones, aptly names Salsa Dancing, and filled the room with books, artwork, and family photos. My husband is creating a media room in the basement, filled with leather recliners and football paraphernalia.

My home is a sanctuary, a place of refuge that nourishes my soul and feeds my spirit. It is a place where I worship God by honoring the person he created me to be—a wife, a friend, a writer, a coach.

But it’s more than that.

What I failed to realize was the impact it would have on my relationships. More stuff usually means less time for relationships. I resisted friends just “dropping by” before, because the house was cluttered, and I could never clean the whole house at once with my limited mobility. With less to clean, I now have more time to cultivate meaningful relationships; and I love when friends drop by for coffee or conversation.

My home also gives me “soul space…room to breathe and freedom to dream,” as my friend, Jerome Daley, describes in his book, Soul Space. In it, he says, “Only a few things are necessary. The rest is clutter.”

With the clutter gone, all that surrounds me supports my life purpose—to foster spiritual and personal transformation in the lives of others through writing, coaching, speaking, and teaching.

I had no idea how significant a few simple changes could be.

Depth in Relationships and Life

Of course, no discussion of simple living would be complete without addressing relationships. Relationships matter. A lot.

I met with my friend Robbie for lunch this week, and the issue of relationships came up. He made an observation that captivated me. He said many of us go through life like skipping stones.

Do you remember skipping stones as a child? The pastime involves throwing a stone with a flattened surface across a lake or other body of water in such a way that it bounces off the surface of the water. Robbie describes it this way, “Many of us are skipping rocks in our relationship with God and one another. We rush through life at such a pace that we hit the surface of interaction…and we bounce to the next person or the next big thing.” He points out that in the process, we miss the depth and richness of relationships. “If we slowed down long enough, we would sink to the depth of relationship that God has in mind.”

This past year, I have been intentional about going deeper in life and relationships. I am opening myself up to others in a new way, without pretense or apology. I share the good, the bad, and the ugly. My friends know me and love me despite my self-centeredness, my half-baked ideas, and the way that I sometimes try to make myself out to be something that I am not.

They have taught me not only love but also grace, a kindness I don’t deserve. What I receive from them and others, I seek to freely give to all those who come across my path. The woman at the cash register who rung up my purchase wrong twice, while I was standing there in pain. Grace. The neighbor whose dog did his business in my front yard. Grace. The friend who showed up a half hour late for lunch. Grace.

I am learning to look beyond the surface and into the hearts and lives of the people around me. It’s changing me. And I think it’s changing them, too.

My relationship with God has deepened, too. I have moved from religion and fabricated rules to deepening spirituality and real freedom. I worship not only in church but with the whole of my life and relationships.

Yes, my health is deteriorating. What I did a year ago, I can no longer do. But as I funnel my limited strength and energy through the filter of my life’s purpose and reach out with love and grace to others, I am learning that I can live with far less than I think. To live a significant, meaningful life, I need very little. And what I need is not found in achieving or acquiring more.

This past year as I have began to remove more and more clutter from my life, I found what I’ve been missing in the busyness of life. For the first time in years, my external world—my home, my relationships, how I spend my time—line up with my internal compass as I live out my life’s purpose. Most days, I have a deep, abiding sense of peace and purpose.

How about you?

I was in the midst of a strategic planning meeting at the office, but I quickly stepped out into the hall to take the call in private. Although I had been having back pain for the last three weeks, I wasn’t concerned. A recent bone density scan revealed I had the spine of a 20-year-old.

What she said next shocked me.

“You have not one but three compression fractures to your thoracic spine,” she said.

Practically, that meant no more horseback riding—one of the few remaining and greatest joys of my life. If I knew anything from dealing with past losses, it was this—recovery would be a process.

Recovery is a Process

In her book Living through Personal Crisis, Ann Kaiser Stearns describes the process of recovery in the early stages of grief:

Recovery from loss is like having to get off the main highway every so many miles because the direct route is under reconstruction. The road signs reroute you through little towns you hadn’t expected to visit and over bumpy roads you hadn’t wanted to bounce around on. You are basically traveling in the appropriate direction. One the map, however, the course you are following has the look of shark’s teeth instead of a straight line. Although you are gradually getting there, you sometimes doubt that you will ever meet up with the finished highway.

I’ve walked through this process probably hundreds of times. And if you live with chronic illness, you probably have too. While it never gets easier, you can learn to move through the recovery process in a healthy way.

Tips for Recovering from Loss

Say goodbye.

Recognize you loss and acknowledge that life will be different from now on. Failure to acknowledge your loss can lead to grief that is complicated by adjustment disorders, including major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and more. It hurts when you lose something you love, so acknowledge your loss by writing about it, talking with a friend or counselor, or creating a memorial. If you find yourself stuck and unable to move on, seek professional help.

Choose well.

We have a choice in our recovery. The changes brought about by our loss can be either positive or negative.

In his book, Man's Search for Meaning, Holocaust survivor Dr. Viktor Frankl shares this story:

We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.

We can choose to become bitter about our losses, or we can choose to become better despite them. We can choose to focus on what we can’t do, or we can look for new opportunities to the use the gifts and abilities that remain. Even when dreams die, we can choose to move toward life. New interests, friendships, and projects can breathe new life into weary souls.

Reinvest in new dreams and relationships.

After you’ve given yourself sufficient time to grieve, reinvest in new projects and relationships. I’ve been thinking about refreshing my writer’s website for some time, but I kept putting it on the back burner. Now that I’ve had some time and finances free up, I’ve contracted a web design firm to give my site a facelift.

And I’ve been contacted by a publishing house for a possible book project. Even it doesn't work out, I’ve begun to dream about new possibilities and platforms for my writing. That alone is a gift.

Plan ahead to prepare for transition and loss.

Life with chronic illness is a series of losses. And while we can never fully anticipate all that lies ahead, life is full of predictable transitions. Take charge of the potential loss in advance so you can continue on with life.

Loss is an inevitable part of life. Whether we allow it to destroy us or choose to view loss as an opportunity for growth is up to us.

Every wonder what it's like dealing with chronic pain and illness? Christine Miserandino explains with The Spoon Theory:

My best friend and I were in the diner, talking. As usual, it was very late and we were eating French fries with gravy. Like normal girls our age, we spent a lot of time in the diner while in college, and most of the time we spent talking about boys, music or trivial things, that seemed very important at the time. We never got serious about anything in particular and spent most of our time laughing.

Read more...

Author: Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton

The phrases "thought leader" and "thought leadership" seem to be everywhere today. What exactly is a thought leader?

It's tricky because the phrases "thought leader" and "thought leadership" are new and trendy. Some such phrases have "stickiness" meaning that they stay around for a long time, possibly even becoming part of our every day vocabulary. I think these phrases have this "stickiness" and we're going to see them around for a long time.

There is of course, another question. Are you a thought leader?

Here are a few thoughts on what characterizes thought leaders:

1. Thought leaders are not so by virtue of a title or a job; they are so because of who they are and how they think and behave.
2. Thought leaders think deeply about issues; they think them through from beginning to end and understand issues profoundly.
3. Thought leaders"walk the talk", not pontificate on a point.
4. Thought leaders communicate their thoughts; they don't just keep them inside.
5. Thought leaders are eloquent, clear communicators. No rambling. No disjointed thoughts. They know how to get the point across.
6. Thought leaders shares their ideas and knowledge generously.
7. Thought leaders are courageous enough to share their thoughts despite criticism.
8. Thought leaders are wise enough to allow themselves to be challenged by others, and to challenge their own assumptions, too.
9. Thought leaders influence how others think and what they believe.
10. Thought leaders inspire trust; they don't demand it.
11. Thought leaders are trend-setters and idea-shapers.
12. Thought leaders have excellent reputations, or they build an excellent reputation as they go along.
13. Thought leaders are passionate, but not pushy.
14. Thought leaders are forward-thinking.
15. Thought leaders are innovative.
16. Thought leaders are confident, but not cocky.
17. Thought leaders are sincere.
18. Thought leaders are authentic.
19. Thought leaders take a stand.
20. Thought leaders are consistent with their message.
21. Thought leaders challenge others to think in new ways and try new things.
22. Thought leaders can share the same message in a variety of ways. They don't sound like a broken record.
23. Thought leaders have longevity. They are not "here today and gone tomorrow".
24. Thought leaders are compassionate. They understand the human situation and feel it deep in their soul.
25. Thought leaders are driven to make a difference.
26. Thought leaders believe in the possibility of transformation.
27. Thought leaders believe in others' potential.
28. Thought leaders are lifelong learners; they learn constantly and enjoy doing so.
29. Thought leaders have charisma not because of a great smile or chiseled features, but because they offer something fresh and new.
30. Thought leaders are forward-focussed, allowing the past to inform, but not impede their thoughts.
31. Thought leaders have an innate sense of hope about the future.

While the phrases "thought leader" and "thought leadership" may be new, such leaders have existed throughout history. They challenge us to think in new ways and embrace the future.

Want to cite this article in your own research? Here is the citation information:

Eaton, Sarah Elaine. (2010). "Thirty-One Signs You Are a Thought Leader." Retrieved from Articlesbase.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/leadership-articles/31-signs-you-are-a-thought-leader-2964620.html

Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton is an international speaker, author, researcher and consultant. She holds an earned Ph.D. in Leadership from the University of Calgary, Canada, where she has worked and studied since 1994.

An international speaker, Dr. Eaton has presented on her work in 7 countries and 2 languages. She also works as a trusted advisor to leaders in education and business, in a consulting and coaching role.

Check out her blog at http://www.drsaraheaton.wordpress.com

A fabled Harvard University study reported that just three percent of Harvard students asked set and wrote goals regularly. Thirty years later, research revealed that three percent of the group held 50 percent of the total net worth of the group. Would you like to guess what three percent that was? The three percent that had a habit of setting and writing goals as students, of course!

Over the years, I have observed two extremes when it comes to goal setting by Christians—those who make no plans or set no goals and those who rigidly plan every minute of every day.

Scripture addresses both ends of the spectrum. God clearly calls us to establish objectives and prepare for the future (Proverbs 6:8), while recognizing our finiteness and subjecting our plans to Him (James 4:12-15; Proverbs 16:9).

When it comes to goal setting for 2011, here are some tips to help you get started:

• Seek God in Solitude and Silence: Shut off email, turn off your phone, and retreat to a quiet place where you can devote a few interrupted hours to prayer and seeking God’s heart for the upcoming year. Commit your goals and your heart's desires to paper.

• Make SMART Goals: Make sure your goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. To say I am going to lose weight is not a SMART goal. But to say I am going to join Weight Watchers, go the gym three times a week, and eat five servings of fruit and vegetables daily is.

• Create a Spiritual Growth Plan: When setting goals for the New Year, don’t neglect your spiritual growth! I encourage my clients to use Lifeway’s Spiritual Growth Assessment Process (available online at http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_PDF_DSC_Spiritual_Growth_Assessment.pdf) to create an annual spiritual growth plan. I invite you to do the same.

• Find an Accountability Partner: It always helps to ask someone to hold you accountable for your goals and spiritual growth. This year my coach and soul friends will help me stay on track! Who can you count on to help you follow through?

By following these simple steps and creating purposeful action forward, you’ll be well on the way to accomplishing your goals in the new year!

• What dreams has God placed in your heart? How do they fit with your other priorities in life?
• How does this desire line up with biblical guidelines for how to live a significant life?
• Who else benefits from the fulfillment of this dream?
• What action steps can I take to explore whether this dream is one I should pursue this year?

Michael Hyatt just posted his top ten posts for December 2010. His article, Creating a Life Plan, is exceptional. I commend it to you for your prayerful consideration.

He writes:

 "I have met very few people who have a plan for their life. Most are passive spectators, watching their lives unfold one day at a time. They may plan their careers, the building of a new home, or even a vacation. But it never occurs to them to plan their life.As a result, many end up discouraged and disillusioned, wondering where they went wrong.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can live your life on purpose. It begins by creating a “Life Plan.” This won’t insulate you from life’s many adversities and unexpected twists and turns, but it will help you become an active participant in your life, intentionally shaping your own future."

To read this excellent article in its entirety, visit Michael Hyatt's blog.

"A good journey begins with knowing where we are and being willing to go somewhere else." Richard Rohr

This afternoon I picked up one of my favorite books, Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence by Ruth Haley Barton. In it, the author speaks of seeing a therapist during a particularly trying season of her life that left her feeling exhausted and spiritually dry. As the conversation turned to spiritual matters, the therapist made this startling observation, “Ruth, you are like a jar of river water all shaken up. What you need is to sit still long enough that the sediment can settle and the water can become clear.” The image of that jar captures what was true about the author. It's also captures what is true about me.

The past several weeks have been a whirlwind of activity. I feel like that jar all shaken up and the sediment that swirls inside is the busyness, the questions, and the desire for something more that I’ve not had time to process in God’s presence.

"Silence is a great revealer."

 It’s an uncomfortable feeling for me, one that I try to avoid by regularly scheduling times of silence and solitude for reflection and to seek God's heart. As a friend recently reminded me, "Silence is a great revealer."

Yes, the image of that jar captures where I am. But more importantly, it reveals my longing and desire to go someplace else. I want the silt to settle so I can deeply experience God's rest. I long for clarity regarding God's direction for my life, my relationships, and my business.
I want something more.

This year as I prayerfully seek God and make goals for the coming year, my number one goal is this -- to grow in intimacy with the Lover of my Soul.

Would you join me in making intimacy with Jesus Christ your number one goal for 2011? You won't be disappointed.

Grace and peace,

Mary

"Your talent and giftedness as a leader have the potential to take you farther than your character can sustain you. That ought to scare you."

"To become a leader worth following, you must give time and attention to the inner man. To leave a legacy that goes beyond accomplishment alone, a leader must devote himself to matters of the heart."

"Leaders get themselves into trouble when the momentum of their giftedness propels them past their ability to sustain the pace and handle the pressures of accomplishment."

"Talent and determination determine your potential; character determines your legacy."

"Plans change; visions remain the same."

What are some of your favorite leadership quotes?    

According to Judy Gann—a breast cancer survivor who suffers from fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders—you can. She took her experiences of living with chronic illness and her desire to comfort others and wrote a book, The God of all Comfort: Devotions of Hope for Those Who Chronically Suffer.

Mari Eronen discovered her "creative side," after reducing her work hours due to complications from Type 1 Diabetes. “The part-time work hours may be a drain on finances, but they are definitely enriching my quality of life!"

Judy and Mari have rediscovered joy and purpose in their lives, and they are not alone. Many with chronic illness have rebuilt their lives and have gone on to launch new careers, friendships, non-profit organizations, and more. Others have developed gifts and talents they never knew they had.

Making this life transition yourself can be easier if you know how other sufferers of a chronic illness dealt with it. The key is to keep it in perspective.

"Rebuilding or redefining normal is a long process," explains Georgia Shaffer, a psychologist, professional speaker, and life coach. "It can take years."

Given just a 2 percent chance to live in 1989 after a recurrence of breast cancer, Georgia lost her job because she was too weak to work, and her husband walked out on her. After piecing her shattered life back together, she wrote A Gift of Mourning Glories—Restoring Your Life After Loss, to serve as a guidebook to help others rebuild their lives.

Tips for Success

Here are a few of her suggestions:

• Move from “success” to “significance.” Finding meaning and purpose in your life is critical for not only your physical healthy but your spiritual and emotional health, as well. Invite others' input and don't be afraid to step out and try new things. Have you always wanted to take an art class? Write a book? Now might be the perfect time to start.


• Ask important questions like, "What am I passionate about?" "What in my life can I share with others?" We sometimes abandon our "passions" for adult responsibilities. Think back to your youth and what you enjoyed doing. Rediscover your gifts and talents. Although your chronic illness may keep you from coaching your son's soccer team, maybe you can use your photography skills to capture those winning moments. Be creative. 


• Take calculated risks. Rebuilding your life requires that you explore unchartered territory. Sure, it might be scary to head back to college at age 50, but why not give it a shot? While you may not succeed at everything you try, the experiences will enrich your life and give you something to talk about besides your illness. 


• Eliminate toxic relationships from your life. Few things are more draining than dysfunctional relationships. People who consistently blame you for their problems, criticize your choices and discount your feelings are toxic. If being in someone's company continually drains you, it might be a sign of an unhealthy relationship. Learn to establish healthy boundaries.


• Forgive those who fail you. Over time, your friends, co-workers, and family members will all fail you. Forgive them and move on. 


• Learn to choose between "best" and "good." Your physical and emotional resources will limit your choices. Determine who and what adds meaning to your life and invest in those relationships and activities. Not sure? Ask a friend. A fresh perspective may be just what you need. 


• Share your gifts and talents. Those who suffer have a lot to contribute. It is critical to look for ways to share your gifts and talents with others in your church and the community. Volunteering builds self-esteem, contributes to feelings of value and worth, helps overcome social isolation and gives you a sense of belonging.

Rebuilding a meaningful life with chronic illness might seem like a daunting task. But with a little creativity, knowledge, and inspiration, you just might find that your best years are yet to come. 

5 Action Steps that Make a Difference

Here are five action steps you can take that will help you live well with chronic illness:

Find the Right Doctor: You probably saw your primary care physician when your symptoms began. But once a diagnosis is made, it’s time to find a doctor who specializes in treating your illness. In general, a specialist is more aware of cutting-edge research and developments and up-to-date on the latest treatment options.  Working with a specialist can also give you peace of mind and reduce the stress and frustration common with chronic conditions.

Learn All You Can about Your Illness: Be an active participant in your care by learning all you can about your illness from credible sources. Ask your doctor your recommend resources and books to help you understand and manage your condition. Do some research to determine whether there is a national association or organization that specializes in your illness. If there is, visit their website frequently for treatment updates and inspiring stories of others who live successfully with your illness.

Build a Support Team: Living with chronic illness is a heavy burden, one that is too heavy to bear alone. Build a support team of people who can support you through the good times and the bad. Members of your team might include a specialist, surgeon, mental health practitioner, occupational therapist, chronic illness coach, personal trainer, massage therapist, support group, friends, family, and more.

Talk to Your Family: It’s important to sit down with family members to talk about your illness and how it impacts you physically, emotionally, and relationally. Invite them to share their feelings, too.  Work together to come up with a plan to accomplish household chores, being sensitive to each family member’s needs and preferences. Realize, too, that some things may not get done. Strong family relationships trumps a clean house any day of the week!

Deal with Negative Emotions: It’s no secret that people living with chronic illness are prone to depression. Don’t allow negative emotions to keep you from living life to the full. See a psychiatrist, psychologist, of licensed clinical social worker to deal with negative feelings and emotions that rob your joy. If medication would help, take it! It will make a world of difference in the quality of your life.

Living with chronic illness is never easy. But by taking decisive action to manage your illness and work through negative emotions, you can enhance your quality of life and relationships.