Your Value

Some of the things that I enjoy most on Facebook are the inspirations and quotes that people post. Some are funny, some not so much, some might even reach out to parents or kids. My favorites are those that I call Inspirational, those that touch me and encourage me to see things differently. Those are my favorites to share. Some are for those with lung issues and some apply to all. This one, from InvisibleDisabilities.org spoke to me today:

“Our lives may be very different now, but we are just as valuable as we were before.”

I had posted this on my Facebook wall and read it several times, because it spoke to me. Daily, we’re reminded about our health. Depending on our stage of COPD, that and our breathing affect almost everything we do. Our limitations tend to stand out and make us very aware of the struggles that we are going through. This saying tells us though, that our lives may be different. Most definitely they are different! We can’t do the things that we used to be able to do.

We are valuable

The saying though, says that we are just as valuable as we were before. Wow, wow, wow! We are valuable. I’m the same person that I was, with limitations. Yet, I am valuable. There are a lot of things that I have done in my life that I am proud of, some not so much. There are things that I can share with my grandkids and others. Things that I can journal. No, I can’t do many of these things anymore, and that can bring me down. Yet, I can keep some of these memories alive by sharing them with others or writing them down so that others can read them. Just think, maybe there is something in our lives that our grandkids can share with their grandkids. They, our families, need to know that they are valuable too. They may need to be reminded. Hopefully too, maybe someone’s COPD life is a bit better because of something that you write or share.

You’re still valuable, we are! We need to hold onto that and that can help us through the tough times. I can picture myself shoving “valuable” under a rug, on those bad days. Those are the times that it’s important to hold onto the positive, the “valuable”. Even if the bad day means a trip to the doctor or the ED. Even if someone gets upset with us for some reason, that’s something in a moment, valuable is something that can be a lifetime. It may take a while to adapt to that thinking, just realize though, you are valuable!

I debated writing about this topic. Yet, how many of us really think about ourselves as being valuable? About having a purpose and making a difference, even with our COPD. About helping others realize how valuable they are too and how they can use this to help themselves and others realize their values.

COPD and mental health

My heart goes out to those who suffer from depression and anxiety. I hope that you can find something positive, something to hold onto, something to help you realize your worth. To help you know that even though COPD and other health issues can be difficult to cope with, you are still valuable.