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Loving Unconditionally With Chronic Illness
I absolutely love @brittany-foster‘s latest column post about the valuable traits she brings to her relationships. Can you relate to Brittany’s observations?
https://pulmonaryhypertensionnews.com/2019/03/22/realizing-my-worth-relationships/
I, too, have felt excluded because of my illnesses, and strive to practice inclusion. Just like Brittany, I like to think I provide chronic relief (though it turns out, not everyone enjoys this coping mechanism).
Chronic illness crystallizes our priorities. We love more fully today knowing tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
My current romantic relationship has taken twists and turns I could have never foreseen. I’ve had to draw upon my ability to love unconditionally to overcome challenges life has thrown us. Part of this ability comes from the way my friends and family have loved me through all the challenges in my life (and drug-induced temper tantrums, and okay, just regular temper tantrums that I can’t blame on steroids).
The other part comes from working to focus on being present in the moment. Most of my decisions are based on a short timeline. If I die tomorrow, will I have regrets? If I die this year, will I wish I spent the year with him?
Do you have similar thought patterns? What do you value most in your relationships?
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