Back on the Bandwagon in 2009

Resolution #4: Find joy and celebrate it

Too often, it’s easy to get down in the dumps or wrapped up in anxiety. I frequently find myself going down the familiar road of worry, doom and gloom when I experience a flare, or when other aspects of my life start to feel out of control.  At times like this, what helps me most is to take a step back and look for the things in my life or my surroundings that are good and appreciate them, however small or obscure. 

Resolution #5: Give myself permission to scrap resolutions 1-3 as needed.
When John Lennon said that "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans," he wasn’t kidding.  Having RA means living with a certain amount of unpredictability, and sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is to learn to roll with the punches and live in the moment, as cliché as that may sound. Some days, indulging in that donut or foregoing eight hours of sleep so you can enjoy a great concert or a night out with friends is more important and more fulfilling than sticking to some stodgy resolution!

Here’s to a hopeful 2009!