M.S. Mighty Strong

M.S. Mighty Strong   by Kristina Marie Dizard Newsflash! M.S. actually stands for Mighty Strong. I’ve made an executive decision to change the meaning of this acronym to what it...

M.S. Mighty Strong

 

by Kristina Marie Dizard

Newsflash! M.S. actually stands for Mighty Strong. I’ve made an executive decision to change the meaning of this acronym to what it really stands for. After-all, who decided what it meant in the first place? M.S. Mighty Strong indeed. We might not realize we are growing stronger everyday, but friends, its happening. It’s almost as though we are using light free-weights throughout the day that we don’t even notice, but is conditioning us none-the-less. Strengthening us through time and consistency. Sometimes when I hear people say “you are the strongest person I know” I want to bust up laughing. It sounds ridiculous to me. At times my strength is so non existent I cannot open jars, medicine bottles or even switch gears in my manual transmission car. Although I am 34 (yikes!) my bones beg to differ, making me feel 90 at times. Yet the inner-strength and resilience is building. Iron is pumping.

Resistance is strengthening. Whether we like it or not, the adversities we go through every day make us stronger. Fighting through the desire to nap and choosing ten minutes of yoga instead. Struggling to bring the groceries into your house alone. Stumbling through your words and thoughts in moments of memory loss. Going for that walk on the weaker days even if it means you have to move slower that day and the next.

Friends, every day we are strengthening ourselves. I think it is time to give ourselves a little more credit for all that we do, and stop focusing on what we didn’t accomplish or get done. I know for me the guilt over what I didn’t do can linger and weigh on me, but today I am removing those weights and letting the burden fall off my shoulders. Can I be honest? It feels amazing! I may not be able to do it all, but I am Mighty Strong. So next time you hear someone say they admire your strength, I challenge you to hold back your witty, sarcastic come-backs and instead say, “thank you.” Cheers, fellow warriors.

 

 

Kristina Marie Dizard has published 2 poetry books: Undefined and Embrace Every Facet, and was diagnosed with M.S. in 2005. Kristina lives in Edmonds, Washington where she advocates for the homeless, enjoys the beach and fabulous book stores.

You can find her online at http://facebook.com/EmbraceEveryFacetKristinaMarieDizard

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