The act of giving often has a ripple effect that brightens people’s day
"Thanks" and "giving" are two acts we can practice every day
They say that the older you get, the faster time passes. At 53 years old, I completely agree.
As I look back at the columns I’ve written in the past, I can’t believe we’re approaching the holiday season again. Don’t get me wrong — I’m thankful for it. I’m also extremely thankful for my current stable health so that I can enjoy another holiday season. I’m thankful that my family is healthy and that we have the good fortune to easily gather to share a meal and our time. I’ll knock on wood now, as there’s still a few days to go and I don’t want to jinx anything.
But what’s harder to do is be thankful for the difficult things in our lives. We often fail to understand why certain hardships come our way. It’s easier to ask “Why me?” and dwell on our struggles rather than looking beyond them and focusing on something positive.
Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) and having had a double-lung transplant, I’m certainly not a pro at finding gratitude in everything, particularly my health issues. But I do try as often as I can to muster up fortitude. I can usually find at least one thing to be grateful for each day. Once I’m in this mindset, it becomes easier to be grateful for several things, not just one. I believe that practicing this exercise each day helps to lessen the burden of stress and anxiety that I carry on my shoulders.
We can be grateful for anything: the sun shining, much-needed rain, good food, having a roof over our heads. Or perhaps it’s a kind word, finding a good parking spot, getting some rest, or receiving affection from a pet. Piecing your day together by looking for all of the good in it, and then feeling grateful for it can improve our attitude and outlook in the long run.
Be as kind as you can
Since my transplant in 2020, I have such a strong desire to be as kind as I possibly can. Because of CF, I don’t have much to give monetarily to help others, but what I can give is kindness. This can be much more valuable than money or material items. You never know what kind of day others are having or the struggles they face. A kind gesture or act can drastically impact someone in a way we may never know. This is something every single person can do. Can you imagine if everyone thought this way and acted on it?
We can also give our time. That might look like volunteering somewhere, visiting someone you haven’t had time for lately, or calling a friend or family member to check in with them. There are also many virtual mentorship and volunteer opportunities where your story or knowledge could make a big impact.
Opening doors for others, offering a hand to carry someone’s groceries, helping to shovel snow, or dropping off a meal to an elderly neighbor or someone who is going through a difficult time are acts of giving. It seems to me that they’re less common these days. But what a difference they can make in someone’s day. Plus, the ripple effect goes far. And it can start with you.
We’re all here together, and we have the power to improve one another’s perspective on life. Despite the burden of living with CF, we patients still have many ways we can give to others. I believe that living with CF has given us incredible insight about how to embrace life. When this perspective is shared with others, it can be a gift to them and inspire them to become more grateful.
During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to share that every day can include some level of thanks and some form of giving. Just imagine how our world would be if everyone adopted these in their day!
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’d love to hear how you live in gratitude and give to others in your life. Sharing your ideas can inspire others, so please join the conversation in the comments below!
Note: Cystic Fibrosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Cystic Fibrosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to cystic fibrosis.
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