Skip to main content

Choose Hope

In the past, somebody criticized me for being too positive on my blog. The truth is I write blog posts when I am in a good place. I have highs and lows just like everybody else. I choose to practice optimism and to envision a hopeful outcome. Applying a hopeful attitude is intentional. I work very hard to stay hopeful. As you know, this condition is life-long and can be saddening when compared to other conditions. 

Recently, I reflected on the idea of not having this medical challenge. If I did not have schizophrenia I would be able to work full-time. If I did not have schizophrenia I would not have to endure question and answer sessions about my health when I get involved in a romantic relationship. If I did not have schizophrenia I would enjoy life more...

Fortunately, I cut myself off this downward spiral. I reminded myself that everybody has challenges; they may not be severe such as a mental illness, but yet, and still severe. I am grateful for this life journey; challenges, blessings, lessons learned and all. I have my five senses. I am physically mobile. I have stable housing and food supply. I have a beautiful child who is in good health. I have family and friends who genuinely care about us. I have a strong support system. I have access to treatment and healthcare. I am very fortunate for all of these things and refuse to take them for granted. Therefore, I have a serious health condition, but I still have a wonderful life. 

In short, I hold on to hope by reconditioning my mind daily with positive messages. I listen to motivational speakers who remind me that I am enough. I am important, and that I can apply my whole self to experience life to the fullest, like you. I read affirmations and principles such as the 42 Ideals of Ma'at. I remind myself that I am loved, powerful, important, and amazing by how I choose to live and to view the world. I choose hope. I aim to embody hope by acknowledging my higher power and giving thanks for restoring my mind, livelihood, and peace in that I have another opportunity to be appreciative, correct mistakes, practice wisdom, love life, and everything along the way.

Lastly, I encourage you to choose hope. Continue to learn, connect, and to hope for a better future... It may be difficult, but so is life. However, hope in spite of living with schizophrenia or any challenge is possible. 
Labels:

Comments

Carolyn Moon said…
Well stated and received by many who've undergone the trauma of chronic medical/mental health challenges we face during life's journey. The balance you provide in acknowledging this fact with the benefits of hope and finding solutions that lend to optimism in the face of these exceptions warrants our attention. It's a wonderful blog and a much needed one. Thank you.
January 7, 2020 at 2:59 PM
Ashley Smith said…
Thank you very much, Carolyn.
January 10, 2020 at 11:50 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

by A Guest Blogger: For Addicts, Recovery Means Creating a New Life

If you’re struggling to maintain your sobriety, you aren’t alone. There are millions of fighters just like you working toward reclaiming their lives from drugs and alcohol. There are a few common traits that many successful recovering addicts share. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can follow in their footsteps. They establish new patterns You can’t continue to live your life the same was you did when you were using. You must change and adapt to your newfound sobriety. Consider a career change; many recovering addicts find they have more success by starting their own business. One career that is easy to enter is dog walking. As a dog walker , you’ll reap many rewards including getting to spend time with dogs, which can actually boost your recovery efforts and stave off depression. Dogs have been used as part of a treatment plan for users as young as 11 and come with the added benefit of helping you stay physically active. Plus, being with
2 comments
Read more

No, Please, That's Not Me

Prior to my diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia I did some things that I am not proud of. Now that I look back on things I blame my illness for my poor judgment. I am by no means condoning the behavior I carried out, and will share with you here. I will provide a few instances where my behavior was unlike me and caused an uproar. This post shows how schizophrenia affects other people. This post is for the family members and friends of people with schizophrenia, or showing bizarre behaviors. First, I asked my mother permission to give my friend a statue that was in my mother's house. My mother agreed to give my friend the statue, however, I took her permission a step further to get rid of what she had at my discretion. At the time I did not live with my mother who was away on a business trip. My mother buys and sells things so she had a lot of collectibles, antiques, and other interesting stuff. While my friend and me were in my mother's house my friend saw a lot of stuff that s
5 comments
Read more

What Is Remission?

Remission is the absence of symptoms for at least six months with the support of medication. In other words, a doctor who has never seen you before may not diagnose you as a person with schizophrenia anymore. Remission is also high functioning in several aspects of life, living independently, goinig to school or to work, and socializing with other people. However, this does not mean the patient is cured or the illness has went away, the illness is still present, however, under control. Remission is achieved with the assistance of medication. "Published studies suggest that 10% to 20% of people with schizophrenia have remission of their illness as they get older, 20% get worse, but in a large majority (60% to 70%), the course of illness remains relatively unchanged." To reach remission it is recommended that you aim for a stress-free environment. Therefore, do things to relieve stress such as journaling, exercising, talking to friends, listening to or creating music, making a
9 comments
Read more