Never Underestimate the Power of Words

I have spent the last few days browsing blogs and have enjoyed reading so many of them, which can be seen in my “blogs I follow” list.  What I found surprising was the number of people who suffer from chronic pain syndromes.  As a fighter of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) myself, that’s a subject with which I can identify.  What I found refreshing was the fact that they were positive, informative, and very relatable.

The problem with diseases such as RA, lupus, and other autoimmune disorders is the symptoms can sometimes be invisible.  People may not actually be able to see that those affected are sick or not feeling well.  As a result, a lot of us tend to keep it quiet and are content to suffer in silence.  To be honest, that’s a lot easier than trying to explain to somebody what the disease is all about.  It’s hard to understand if someone hasn’t experienced it, and it hurts when the pain is downplayed by others who can’t comprehend the scope of the health issues.

I hate to complain.  My family has to pick up the slack when I’m not feeling well, and I want to spare them the irritation and aggravation of hearing me groaning about my aches and pains.  The thing is, they actually do not react with irritation or aggravation; in fact, they are very supportive and always willing to help.  I just don’t want to be a burden, trying my best to do everything I can on my own.  Often, I fall short despite all my efforts because it simply hurts too much.  In reality, I just don’t want to admit that RA is currently kicking my butt–I want to give all I can to the fight, simply because I want my life back.

This current flare is rough.  Adjusting to the medications can be worse than the disease.  But, all good things come with time, and I’m going on faith that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I’m here to support my fellow RA’ers–not as an expert, but as a sounding board.  I’m here to commiserate and encourage.

A phrase that can cause a prickle of irritation for me is, “being positive is half the battle.”  It’s hard to stomach all that positivity when several joints are swollen to the point of immobility and it hurts to move.   I guess it’s irritating because it’s one hundred percent true.  But sometimes I don’t feel positive, and that’s where browsing the blogs can come in handy.  There are kindred souls just waiting to be connected–just one encouraging word away.

Whether bloggers share their stories for themselves or for a specific audience on one particular subject, it’s important to just write.  Authors might think what they have to say isn’t important, have much impact, or is just too silly or superficial.  I think people never know when sharing a kind word, an encouraging experience, or sharing a lesson from a mistake can turn a reader’s horrible day around.   I’m learning never to underestimate the power of words.

(note: this is a blogging101 assignment)