Deena Bingham
We are at the beginning of a new year and the promise of a blank page looms ahead, prompting a deep need in me for introspection.
My blogging journey has been wonderful, and inspirational! I am always amazed by the countless stories of people battling chronic diseases, fighting against a strong enemy, with strength and resilience. Their battle making them stronger than before. I admire all of these people for again and again being pushed to the brink and still starting over. I am profoundly impressed by these amazing warriors.
You’ve heard me say countless times that I started this blog so that I could help and inspire others through my own journey. I thought I would have more successes than failures, but they both seem to be in the running for a tie. I believed that somehow having a blog about Lupus would make my overall health better. I had big dreams of being the Lupus blogging guru; with my own health, physical and mental, being on a constant upward curve, all the while encouraging others. This has not been the case. Don’t misunderstand me. I am better through my writing. It has been therapeutic and I have been on an upward curve, but I have also suffered many setbacks. Frequently with a chronic disease we get frustrated, anxious and depressed, this puts us into fight or flight mode. It’s hard to have the constant threat of an infection looming over our heads. To flare repeatedly and start over again and again. This hasn’t changed for me. My life is still a constant roller coaster of well and not well, but just like my readers, I strive to continue fighting. Just like I hoped to encourage you, you have encouraged me.
Writing has always been therapeutic for me and I now see it more like a conversation with you the reader. Our conversation has in turned helped me to feel less alone and connected to you. As I “talk” to you, share my life and hopefully encourage you, I in turn am helping myself to feel less isolated. Throughout this past year I have learned that I should write my blog as if I was having a face to face conversation, and if this conversation affected and encouraged only one person, then it was worth it.
As I start another year of conversations with you, I pray that we will continue to fight through every battle knowing we are not alone, we have God and each other to lean on. That through our common struggles we are united through these pages and our similar experiences. I will continue to be humbled by your stories and willingness to define how you live, no matter your circumstances.
God Bless you, happy new year and once again thank you for letting me be a part of your journey and you being a part of mine. Keep fighting the good fight! May your new pages be filled with joy, peace and contentment through all of life’s challenges.
