I am an arthritis warrior! Rockin’ my Arthritis National Research Foundation, Together We Can Cure Arthritis T-shirt! 🙂
It’s one thing to raise arthritis awareness but what about raising awareness within ourselves? Arthritis Awareness Month is a time when I reflect on my journey of living with rheumatoid arthritis.
The past few years and especially this month, I have started to reflect on where I have been, where I am going and where I would like to be. I see it as putting the AWARE in awareness, so that I can be more mindful of my life.
If you have followed me on here and my social media, you know that for some time now I have always said how, sharing your stories and speaking your truth can help heal yourself but at the same time heal others too.
When I started writing and posting my stories, I didn’t know how they would be perceived and if anybody would actually read them. Though, if nobody did read what I wrote that was fine with me, because it was something I started doing and still do for myself and nobody else’s approval.
To my surprise I ended up receiving an outpouring of comments and messages from different people and age groups, that they too had the same or similar experiences. I was in awe that people my age who were considered “too young” as well, had walked the same path as me. (To see some of my throwback messages and comments, go to my Instagram)
I have always known and heard of people’s stories were illness impacted them at an age that’s not always expected but I had never spoken to several people from all walks of life personally. Once I did, I was able to learn new things and get a better perspective on my own situation, just by engaging with people outside of my social circle.
There is no family member or friend that I know who has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, so it’s comforting to have people in the arthritis community who can truly empathize with what I am going through. So while raising awareness can mean different things to different people, for me it’s about inner reflection of my journey, continuing to share my stories in hope of helping someone out there going through the same thing and connecting with like-minded individuals.
Cheers to Spring and here are some Arthritis Statistics and Facts!
Want a Together We Can Cure Arthritis T-shirt too? Go here to purchase one with free shipping, yay!
What are you reflecting on this month?
Love, Joy, Peace, Happiness, Abundance, and above all else, Good Health to all of you.
xoxo,
Effie
