The best association

“I'm still here, and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon,” – a social media message from a long-time friend of mine who has had a long battle with heart issues.

Sometimes our best inspiration doesn’t have to come from an athlete we see on television or a musician inspiring others through their vocal cords. Our best source of uplifting comes from people who truly know how to defy the odds.

A friend of mine in Lompoc reminded me of that earlier tonight. Because of his heart condition, he can’t be as physically active as the average human being. But, he still finds ways to hit the gym, shoot some hoops and above all, choose to not be defined by his health condition.

I’ve been around countless of people through journalism and through school who have had their personal battles. Some have had cerebral palsy. Others have a form of diabetes. Some escaped an abusive relationship. Then there’s the ones who overcame cancer. One thing I’ve always noticed from these people: they still laugh, joke and carry on a normal conversation…

Because they refuse to let their setback prevent their comeback.

The best circle of trust you can honestly ask for is immersing yourself with people who choose to NOT be defined by what’s attacking them on the inside. They instead are revered for what they do when they’re under attack. They scrap back by being who they are.

I’m usually a private person, but I have been open about my personal battles as well, particularly with Still’s Disease. At any given moment, Still’s can come out and try to slow my movements like a rising ocean tide crashing against me: it’s hard to move when you’re going toward it. Anyone not familiar with Still’s should know that it’s a virus that can attack your joints and ligaments, to the point where something simple like closing your fingers into a fist or even getting out of bed becomes several minutes to do without assistance. It’s a disease with the intention of crippling your movements.

But if anyone in my association can live a fun and stress-free lifestyle despite their circumstances, so can I.

We shouldn’t be defined by what slows us down, but by how we stand and fight. Glad to know that members of my association are spirited fighters.

I will end this by sharing 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, which states: