You've heard the expression "every cloud has a silver lining" ...right?
Well, MS has certainly felt like a serious cloud at times over the last few years. At times it has been a small cloud on an otherwise blue and sunny day, and at other times it has seemed like an ominous black storm cloud threatening to explode at any moment. The worst times have been when the sky appeared unpredictable- leaving me questioning and trying not to fear the worst.
Today whilst running after work and gazing at the sprawling purple sunset, I speculated that I have finally found the 'silver lining' of the MS cloud that abruptly appeared in my life a few years ago. Last week, Nick and I completed our first ever half marathon. I was brimming with an overwhelming sense of achievement; given that no one has ever described me as 'sporty' (far from it!) and I have never before won a medal for any sporting achievement. But the best bit about the achievement was that 10 years ago, I would NEVER have done it! I would never even have considered it, nor would I have ever believed I could do it.
Experiencing MS symptoms was my wake up call to treating my body better, and taking my health more seriously. Although I may have not looked unhealthy before, I barely exercised, ate a pretty poor diet, and always prioritised partying over sleep ;) Today, I eat a plant-based vegan gluten-free diet (a vegan version of the Overcoming MS approach), I meditate, I exercise and run regularly, and most importantly I try to be thankful every single day. There is nothing like a chilling MRI result to spur you into living your live to the absolute fullest and appreciating every second! Overall I am happier, healthier and stronger than I ever was before I had my first MS symptom, and that is a brilliantly shiny silver lining :)
My next step is to put my mental and physical energy to good use; tonight I submitted my application to the London Marathon (something I really never believed I would or could do before!) - my goal is to continue improving my fitness whilst raising money to help others with MS at the same time! x
Lucy - Follow my journey on @recoverbynature
