This blog was inspired by a special girl that I've come across named Amanda. Hope you enjoy it!
Having Epilepsy is NOT easy, no matter what way you look at it. But no one said that a person should be negative because they have Epilepsy. It has been PROVEN that positive thinking can help you manage stress (which is one of the worst triggers for a seizure) and improve your overall health. Please click here to visit Positive Pin's "Science" page, explaining how positive thinking can help you improve your life.
It's important to stay positive with Epilepsy because:
- Negativity adds to stress.
- Stress triggers seizures.
- Seizures are dangerous and harmful to you.
Not to mention:
- Negativity and stress affects your attitude.
- A bad attitude is apparent to others in the way you speak, your actions, and your facial expressions.
- Stress can cause other health problems aside from seizures. And as people with Epilepsy, that is the last thing we need!
How can YOU stay positive?
A few easy and fun things you can do to help yourself stay positive are:
1. Leave yourself notes. Get a pack of sticky notes (Purple ones!) and write positive things about yourself on each one. Leave them around your home to remind you how special you really are when you need it most.
2. Do something good for others. Doing good for others can make you feel better about yourself. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, offer to do some sort of paid task for free, visit regularly at an old folks home, or DO ONE OF THESE GOOD DEEDS TODAY.
3. Go out to a craft store. Buy a wine glass, and some pretty colored stones. Using a permanent marker or glass paint, write "Half Full" near the top in large letters. Fill the cup with one colored stone each time you have something positive happen to you in your life - even if it is small - and keep it on your desk, dresser, or wherever you'd like. Use this glass as a reminder that although you may be having a bad day, you still have so many blessings in your life.
4. When people ask about your health, speak as positively as possible. Instead of saying "Gosh, I feel terrible. I've had so many seizures this week and I just can't take it anymore." say "I haven't felt that well, but I'm glad that I know my seizures will calm down soon after I rest a little bit. How are you?" By doing this, you've managed to let your friends know that you aren't feeling well without adding negativity to your statement.
Everyone should acknowledge a few things about their Epilepsy and never cease to forget these facts:
1. You are beautiful just the way you are.
2. Epilepsy does not define yourself as a person.
3. You have the power to make the most of your life. You have to choose whether to use that power or not.
4. We must never give up hope for finding a cure. Hope is what keeps us going.
5. Although we should never give up hope for a cure, we should focus more on improving the quality of our lives with Epilepsy. See THIS POST for a good example.
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To start, complete each mandatory entry. If you are unable to complete all mandatory entries, you will not be able to unlock the other 50+ ENTRIES for EXTRA POINTS! People with the most points win the Positive Pins, so it's important to do as many as you can! You can enter each day until April 30th! Tasks are checked over daily. If you do not fully complete each task, or "fake" an entry, it will be deleted. So please give valid entries!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
"The Positive Pin idea came to me one day when I needed a boost of
positivity. I wanted something that I could look at that would remind
me of how fortunate I am. I made a vow that when I wear my pin (which
is everyday) I would not forget to be thankful for all of the things in
my life and to think and talk positively. I hope you will do the same
and not just treat this as a piece of jewelry, but as a life altering
symbol.
-Jonathan de la Garza"
-Jonathan de la Garza"
I
want to personally thank Jonathan for his gracious support of my blog
and everything I do. Therefore, I'd like to give away one of these
lavender colored (for Epilepsy) Positive Pins to 3 lucky people. They
are magnetic (very strong, will not fall off) and you can put them on a
hat, shirt, tie, or anything you'd like! Every time you see your pin,
try and think a positive thought about whatever situation you may be in.
If you're not in a "situation," just think about something positive
anyway. I have a pin myself that I purchased a while back, and I can't
tell you what sort of difference it has made in my life. It really
reminds you to stop and see the good in your life. Thank you Jon!
Good
luck to all who enter. If you don't win a pin, don't worry! There's 17
more of them up for grabs in future contests and my upcoming webinar
that is scheduled in May! Stay tuned for the blog for more information
on the webinar and how to attend.
I have had Epilepsy for 6 years. Just like you I used to have them probably about 30 times a day at the least. They are mostly very small but grand mal/tonic clonic seizures happen once a month or so. At first I complained all the time. And I didn't notice it, but my attitude about my seizures was affecting my attitude about EVERYTHING ELSE. I lost friends, hardly talked to my family members, and even lost the love of my life. I started to think more positively one day after reading a previous post of yours. I exercised more. I went out with my friends. I even patched up the relationship that I had with the love of my life, who is now my wife. I've noticed a huge difference in the amount of seizures I have now than the ones I had back then. I now only have one or two small seizures a week, and tonic clonic seizures are very rare. Being positive is so important and thank you for helping others change their attitude!
ReplyDeleteI like those positive thinking ideas. I try to stay as positive as possible even though it's not always easy.
ReplyDeleteI've had Epilepsy since I was 18 months old, but through medication, my seizures have been under control. I try and think positive everyday.
ReplyDeleteI don't have Epilepsy, but in my own rare disease community, I have seen how negative thinking has led to some very depressed living. On the flip side, those who think positively tend to live fuller, happier lives. I particularly love your last point - that we should never give up hope for a cure, but we should focus on improving quality of life now. If you are ONLY living for a cure, then you are not enjoying today (for today you are sick and suffering and waiting for something better).
ReplyDeleteI have had epilepsy for like 4 years now. When I was first diagnosed, I too complained a lot. But honestly, one day I woke up and said "Why am I living my life like this? Sleeping in late, complaining, crying, being depressed about what I CAN'T do."
ReplyDeleteSo I started focusing on what I had, and what I CAN do. I now have two beautiful children and my own business. Being positive is definitely the key to success. Great blog and great contest!
I don't have Epilepsy myself but a friend does and we stay positive by not living around it but making Epilepsy live around us. We are always looking and helping to find better ways to cope and deal.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first was diagnosed with Epilepsy, I didn't know what it was about. I was 12 years old back then, and my days were too stressed and depressed for my age... I spent around a year trying to figure what to do with my life, seeing my parents trying to help, seeing those sad looks on their face.. Made me think. I decided I was not gonna let Epilepsy take away my happiness and I started seeing life from a different angle. I started doing sports (elliptical trainer, 3 times a week) and I started having more and more friends.. I now don't think Epilepsy as an enemy, it sure is something what makes my life a little bit harder than the others, but IT is what made my life turn into a different view. - to a happy life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance!
(Entered: Éva I.)
Stress is one of the main triggers for my seizures. One way I cope with stress is that I get massages regularly. It helped me so much that I'm 2004 after my brain surgery, I went to massage school and became a licensed massage therapist. It brings great joy to help people who are going through the same pain and stress I have experienced.
ReplyDeleteAlso known as Melanie Stone....
DeleteI have had epilepsy for 13years now and without medication for the last 3years. Its hard everyday with two young kids(2&4). I go everyday trying to think positive so I do no trigger them. I can not afford insurance to afford the medication. My kids and my husband are my medication. They help me out the best they can and for that I am able to think positive. However there are times when its hard to think positive and my seizures act up and its hard to do anything. But my kids and husband stick by me and help me. Thats what gets me through the day and to think positive.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous = Megan Hansen
DeleteI would wear it everyday as a reminder to be positive. I would wear the pin on my shirt (or if im wearing a coat on it) where everyone can see it and that Im trying to stay positive.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous = Megan Hansen
DeleteI would wear the pin on my shirt, pin in up on my cubicle next to my Purple Day picture at work, and wear it on my massage lotion holster as well. It's important for us to STAY POSITIVE and one way to do that is to know I am not alone, and every time I look at the pin, I'll know I'm not alone(Melanie Stone aka MellieMel)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday
ReplyDeleteI would wear it at work and let Marie were it at work as the going joke there is she always says this job is going to be the death of me and she needs a little positive!
ReplyDeleteThe most positive thing Epilepsy has done for me is made me stronger. Since day one it was hard for me, but over time I do believe I am a stronger person. I teach people all the time about it and help those who has Epilepsy to be positive and to believe they are stronger for having it :D
ReplyDeleteMegan Hansen
My 11 year old daughter has Epilepsy and it is hard sometimes to keep her feeling positive. She gets down on the dumps sometimes, when she can't do some of the things that her classmates can do at recess, etc. I keep telling her that Epilepsy should not take control of her life, she should take control of Epilepsy.
ReplyDeleteI was (finally) diagnosed with Epilepsy last July. After suffering with seizures for 18 years and not knowing it, it was "nice" to know what I was actually experiencing. At first I was embarrassed that I had Epilepsy. After finally adjusting to the disease and getting on the appropriate medication, I am happy to be able to educate others about Epilepsy advocacy and awareness. I've turned something I and others once saw as a negative into a positive. Maybe someday we will have a cure!
ReplyDeleteHi, I love this idea for Positive thinking.It's a cool rubberband with positive words printed on it.You place it on your wrist and flick, touch or look at it each time you have an unwanted thought, so you then realise and replace it with a wanted thought. It's fun and easy and a great reminder as it is on your wrist, you are reminded all the time to think good things. http://www.facebook.com/therubberbandmethod.ThinkGoodThings
ReplyDelete