How I Made Diabetes My Friend and Not My Enemy
Friend or Foe?
I don't think many of us consider diabetes our friend. We typically don't appreciate it or want to spend time thinking about it. The more common mindset is that diabetes is our enemy. We want nothing more than to destroy it and be done with it. I understand the urge. I've had the same desire. However, I'm not in a position to ignore it. I've tried that route, and it didn't work out so well. So I decided to try another approach.
After realizing that I had made diabetes my enemy and was losing the battle, I decided to draw up new boundary lines and make diabetes an ally instead of my foe. What if I could change my view of the disease and make it a friend instead? How would making such a change improve my chances of success? What secrets could I learn that I'd not pursued before? How would my attitude and enthusiasm morph due to this new alliance?
The Power of a Friend
Think about a close friend of yours who you get along with. This person brings you joy, happiness, and a sense of peace and calm. When you think about spending the day with this person or even talking to them over Skype or the phone, you smile and look forward to the meeting. This is what having a true friend does to your emotions.
My daughter has a friend who she adores. She says that talking with her is the highlight of her week. They share many of the same values and love to do nice things for each other. The funny thing is this friend of hers lives thousands of miles away from my daughter, and they've never met in person. Friendship doesn't have to be structured in any particular way. The main ingredient is that you genuinely enjoy being around this person. That's what matters. Because when you get the chance to spend time with them your life is better.
As you know, you have to live with diabetes every day. There's no time off. So, finding a way for this relationship to be positive could bring an enormous amount of change to both your mental and physical well-being. I mention that because, as you probably have experienced in life, having an enemy comes with pain, stress, anxiety, and regret. So, to reverse those negative qualities could be a game-changer.
The truth is diabetes can teach us a lot about food, health, and life balance. What we put into our mouths directly impacts how our diabetes performs. If we can learn what it does and doesn't like, we're much closer to being in control.
One of the ways I've made diabetes my friend is by welcoming it into my life every morning. Instead of begrudgingly monitoring my blood glucose, I say instead, "Show me what I need to know about my body." This simple phrase puts me on the same side as my diabetes. I'm working with it to keep my health in a safe zone. It's trying to tell me something isn't working correctly in my body, and that's a good thing to know.
When it's time to work out, I'm entering into that exercise time with diabetes on my side. It's not just about getting my numbers into a good range but also about having a strong heart and overall fitness. My diabetes is a reminder that I need to heed its warnings to survive. Only your best friends are that honest with you.
When it comes to eating, I truly need a friend. This is one of the hardest challenges that I face each day. For me, it's not just about what I'm putting in my mouth, but also the quantity. My eyes often deceive me. I tend to eat my emotions. For these moments, I ask my diabetes to be my guide. What are his recommendations? If my diabetes is my enemy, I'm trying to kill him. When in fact, I'm killing myself. When I see him as my friend, I want what's best for both of us.
Imagine your mind as a clenched fist. When it's tight and balled up, there's not much that's going to get in. However, when you can relax and open your hand up, you're able to receive a lot more. Enemies cause clenched fists. Friendship is all about openness and receiving what's good and positive.
The Power of Perspectives
Choosing your perspective is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. This is true in business, sports, relationships, and yes, even your health. Shifting your perspective and making diabetes your friend can bring powerful, positive changes to your life. Choosing the proper perspective helps to keep you grounded and on the right track. Your views drive your life choices and help determine if you're going to be a victim or a victor. I've had it with the victim mentality. It's time to move on and choose a stronger, more productive frame of mind.
I'd like to introduce you to…
So, meet my new friend, diabetes. He has a ton of information and insights to teach me. I hope you'll join us.