Taking charge of your Fibromyalgia

Inspiring....Fibromyalgia Online - NFA Newsletter: "Think of it this way for a moment: You have fibromyalgia, but it doesn�t have to have you. Taking charge of your life and being involved in an occupation keeps FM from owning you, defining you, and changing who you really are!

Even taking your health-related limitations and challenges into consideration, there are still many ways you might be able to make adjustments to a career you already have, or to explore the possibilities of finding an entirely new occupation! This might even be an opportunity to create your own business or pursue previously unrealized talents, skills and expertise you might otherwise never have tapped into!

It is absolutely possible for you to create a fulfilling, balanced and abundant life for yourself, despite having FM. You can learn to live beyond simply coping.

The point is then to find a job that maximizes your interests and talents, and does not aggravate your symptoms, or creates persistent high levels of stress, and allows for regular breaks or rest periods. The need is for a job that has some flexibility built into it....

The key here is to identify and define things that you really enjoy, and then find ways to make them happen! Set realistic goals for yourself and know your own limits, but keep your focus on those things that you are able to do, and be creative in your approach.

Acknowledge and deal with any feelings of negativity and don’t let them turn into roadblocks. Get them out of your head, into the open, and ask yourself why you feel that way, and if there is another way to look at the problem before you internalize, personalize, or react in a manner that will restrict your ability to succeed. Most of all, focus on your positives, acknowledge yourself, and celebrate every single thing that you achieve!

There are nearly endless possibilities for meaningful and purposeful employment for you to explore, and the possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Above all else, remember this: You may have fibromyalgia, but it doesn’t have you!

Eve Reddin is a certified life coach who specializes in working with people whose lives are affected by life-altering illness. Eve is a stroke survivor and has both fibromyalgia and lupus. Her mission is to help others learn how to live richly rewarding lives beyond simply coping. For more information, go to www.abundant-life-coaching.net."