The only predictable thing about living with Sickle Cell is that it’s unpredictable. Learning to live with this unpredictability is another aspect of accepting your illness. It’s human nature to want to control the things in our life. Speaking from personal experience, I know how easy it is to believe you have no control over your health, body or existence. It can be a frustrating and helpless feeling. The truth is you have the most important kind of control. You have control over yourself and how you manage your health. You control how you act and react to things. You control how you treat other people.
While you may not be able to govern when you have a crisis or how you physically feel one hour to the next, you are in charge of how you deal those crises. Self-control is of the greatest importance in life. So, in the words of Yoda, “Control, control, you must learn control.” Yes, I admit it. I’m a Star Wars freak.
Exercising self-control over one’s temper, diet, words, thoughts, actions, and countless other things, is a necessary part of life. It’s especially critical for those of us living with a chronic illness. For example, failing to use wisdom when playing sports can lead to unnecessary hospitalization. Lacking the resolve to stay home when you’re having a crisis can cause greater pain. It’s through self-discipline that you’ll be able to enjoy greater stability of health.
Nearly everything I share with you is linked one way or another to control. As you continue to read, try to think of ways you may be able to improve your life by regulating certain actions or habits that may be harmful to your wellbeing. It’s my hope that as you do so it will be less challenging to find joy in your life.
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