Nicely said. I started having Colitis symptoms when I was in middle school, but wasn't diagnosed till I was about 19/20 and bleeding worrying quantities of blood into the toilet every day. It took me years to sort out the fasting and restricted eating regime that keeps me on track.
In the early years I'm sure I complained a bit, but the bigger problem was the negative thought patterns which made all of life so much worse than it had to be. Now I see it as a blessing. It's forced me to be healthier. It's forced me to be disciplined. It's forced me to avoid excess and to care for my body more than I otherwise might.
Minus the scar tissue that now likely covers my colon and may inhibit nutrient absorption, I'm pretty sure I'm way better off psychologically and physically because I developed a horrible autoimmune disease.
Stoked to see you decided to modify your diet as a solution. That is the much harder path than taking medications, and it's the only path to the sort of wisdom and gratitude you landed yourself into. Thanks for sharing Andrew.
“Terms of my existence”/“Is this under my control?” - Very powerful and useful daily reminders. No need to stress what is out of your control.
Early on I realized the importance of making the best of whatever situation I found myself in (terms of my existence) or as I like to say, the hand you’re dealt. Don’t compare your hand to others, the universe is the dealer and you’re a play, and all you can do is make the best play with what you have.
Thank you for the comment Erik. I think you understand this all too well with your background in the military. There is always a dealer, whether it is a grizzled E-8 or the Universe. What's "up to us" is how we choose to respond.
Eating figs would be a blessing if I could only find them all year long.
I love the attitude you have toward things.
I have also had the thought in mind regarding how many humans have lived in all time. It did however differ in the total number, much lower.
Complaining is found in all of us. God thinks along your line of thought, "do everything without complaining."
I often find myself pondering what if my level of complaint, measured accross humanity, and not only those living but also among those who lived, is not worthy of complain? Imagine somebody else beating us at taking pain at a different level of complaint. I don't like this, and it quickly puts things into perspective. Having the right attitude like you do, introspection, makes you valuable regardless of physical trials.
Thank you, Persephone, for your very thoughtful reply.
Figs make up such a large part of my diet that I grow quite a few of my own during the summer, but for the colder months I live on dried figs, which are almost as good as fresh!
And I agree, perspective is crucial when it comes to what we complain about.
The number of humans who have ever lived shocked me as well. 117 Billion represents a lot of humans - and a lot of complaining.
Nicely said. I started having Colitis symptoms when I was in middle school, but wasn't diagnosed till I was about 19/20 and bleeding worrying quantities of blood into the toilet every day. It took me years to sort out the fasting and restricted eating regime that keeps me on track.
In the early years I'm sure I complained a bit, but the bigger problem was the negative thought patterns which made all of life so much worse than it had to be. Now I see it as a blessing. It's forced me to be healthier. It's forced me to be disciplined. It's forced me to avoid excess and to care for my body more than I otherwise might.
Minus the scar tissue that now likely covers my colon and may inhibit nutrient absorption, I'm pretty sure I'm way better off psychologically and physically because I developed a horrible autoimmune disease.
Funny how that works.
Stoked to see you decided to modify your diet as a solution. That is the much harder path than taking medications, and it's the only path to the sort of wisdom and gratitude you landed yourself into. Thanks for sharing Andrew.
Well done
Thank you.
Nothing quite like getting punched in the face by the Universe.
She is my favorite teacher.
“Terms of my existence”/“Is this under my control?” - Very powerful and useful daily reminders. No need to stress what is out of your control.
Early on I realized the importance of making the best of whatever situation I found myself in (terms of my existence) or as I like to say, the hand you’re dealt. Don’t compare your hand to others, the universe is the dealer and you’re a play, and all you can do is make the best play with what you have.
Thank you for the comment Erik. I think you understand this all too well with your background in the military. There is always a dealer, whether it is a grizzled E-8 or the Universe. What's "up to us" is how we choose to respond.
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Eating figs would be a blessing if I could only find them all year long.
I love the attitude you have toward things.
I have also had the thought in mind regarding how many humans have lived in all time. It did however differ in the total number, much lower.
Complaining is found in all of us. God thinks along your line of thought, "do everything without complaining."
I often find myself pondering what if my level of complaint, measured accross humanity, and not only those living but also among those who lived, is not worthy of complain? Imagine somebody else beating us at taking pain at a different level of complaint. I don't like this, and it quickly puts things into perspective. Having the right attitude like you do, introspection, makes you valuable regardless of physical trials.
Thank you, Persephone, for your very thoughtful reply.
Figs make up such a large part of my diet that I grow quite a few of my own during the summer, but for the colder months I live on dried figs, which are almost as good as fresh!
And I agree, perspective is crucial when it comes to what we complain about.
The number of humans who have ever lived shocked me as well. 117 Billion represents a lot of humans - and a lot of complaining.