Featured Blogger of the Week: Sept. 13-20Riva Greenberg , Diabetes Stories
Post # 2
Viktor Frankl is a psychiatrist who spent years in a concentration camp. While interned he wondered, 'What does it take to persevere and come through such a monumental, tragic experience?' Can there be happiness in the overwhelming miasma of suffering?’ His landmark book, Man's Search for Meaning, answers these questions. Many of Frankl’s insights I find can be translated to living with diabetes. By the way Frankl’s answer is, Yes, we can get through suffering with meaning in our lives.
Of the more than 130 people who have diabetes whom I've interviewed, many actually see diabetes as a gift: an opportunity to become fitter and healthier, to help others and to appreciate what they have in their life. They see diabetes as a wake-up call that reminds them life is short, precious, and comes with no warranty and it’s time to put their dream into play or spend more time enjoying where they are.
One person wrote this to me, “Riva, Two years ago, at age 68, I had a heart attack, a triple bypass and was diagnosed with diabetes all within one week. I'm doing well, have changed my diet and take exercise seriously now. It hasn't been lost on me that I got a second chance at life and believe me I'm not about to squander it. Someone once told me, if you want to live a long life, get yourself a chronic disease to take care of. I didn't think of diabetes as much of a "gift" but you are right, it can be. I'm in better shape now than I have ever been. We all should look at diabetes as a gift − a nuisance and a pain in the neck sometimes, but it really is a gift.”
I figure you can see your diabetes in two ways: 1. Geez, I hate this. It’s not fair. Damn x%$!!! Or, 2. Hmmm…O.K., I’m going to lose those 20 pounds and feel good! What do I really care about? It’s time to make it happen. Wow, I’m smokin’!
After losing my job at 48 I searched for a way to contribute to the world. Step by step that urge created my road to here, helping others with diabetes. Today I’m excited waking every day to add new strokes to this canvas I'm painting – my new diabetes life. I have a deep-seated happiness, and an even deeper desire to be healthy and enjoy the whole ride.
Frankl found that camp survivors who persevered, who looked forward to finding their families again and creating their next great work, were the ones to survive. Being in service to others or a cause, loving someone or something and turning tragedy into triumph are ways to live a meaningful life. So see your diabetes as something to inspire you to get and stay healthy. You may find it will keep you healthier than you ever would have been if you’d never gotten it.
Riva Greenberg is the author of "50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life: And The 50 Diabetes Truths That Can Save It" and “The ABCs of Loving Yourself with Diabetes” available in English and Spanish. Riva also speaks to patients and medical professionals. To learn more about Riva’s work and read her blog, visit her web site at www.diabetesstories.com
Post # 2
Viktor Frankl is a psychiatrist who spent years in a concentration camp. While interned he wondered, 'What does it take to persevere and come through such a monumental, tragic experience?' Can there be happiness in the overwhelming miasma of suffering?’ His landmark book, Man's Search for Meaning, answers these questions. Many of Frankl’s insights I find can be translated to living with diabetes. By the way Frankl’s answer is, Yes, we can get through suffering with meaning in our lives.
Of the more than 130 people who have diabetes whom I've interviewed, many actually see diabetes as a gift: an opportunity to become fitter and healthier, to help others and to appreciate what they have in their life. They see diabetes as a wake-up call that reminds them life is short, precious, and comes with no warranty and it’s time to put their dream into play or spend more time enjoying where they are.
One person wrote this to me, “Riva, Two years ago, at age 68, I had a heart attack, a triple bypass and was diagnosed with diabetes all within one week. I'm doing well, have changed my diet and take exercise seriously now. It hasn't been lost on me that I got a second chance at life and believe me I'm not about to squander it. Someone once told me, if you want to live a long life, get yourself a chronic disease to take care of. I didn't think of diabetes as much of a "gift" but you are right, it can be. I'm in better shape now than I have ever been. We all should look at diabetes as a gift − a nuisance and a pain in the neck sometimes, but it really is a gift.”
I figure you can see your diabetes in two ways: 1. Geez, I hate this. It’s not fair. Damn x%$!!! Or, 2. Hmmm…O.K., I’m going to lose those 20 pounds and feel good! What do I really care about? It’s time to make it happen. Wow, I’m smokin’!
After losing my job at 48 I searched for a way to contribute to the world. Step by step that urge created my road to here, helping others with diabetes. Today I’m excited waking every day to add new strokes to this canvas I'm painting – my new diabetes life. I have a deep-seated happiness, and an even deeper desire to be healthy and enjoy the whole ride.
Frankl found that camp survivors who persevered, who looked forward to finding their families again and creating their next great work, were the ones to survive. Being in service to others or a cause, loving someone or something and turning tragedy into triumph are ways to live a meaningful life. So see your diabetes as something to inspire you to get and stay healthy. You may find it will keep you healthier than you ever would have been if you’d never gotten it.
Riva Greenberg is the author of "50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life: And The 50 Diabetes Truths That Can Save It" and “The ABCs of Loving Yourself with Diabetes” available in English and Spanish. Riva also speaks to patients and medical professionals. To learn more about Riva’s work and read her blog, visit her web site at www.diabetesstories.com
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