Fibromyalgia and Business

For those of you that do not know what Fibromyalgia is, consider yourself blessed in your ignorance, because those of us who have it would not wish it on anyone. It is a disease that tries to rob us of our quality of life. It takes away our joy, our jobs, our dignity and sometimes even our families.
What is Fibromyalgia? Nobody is quite certain yet. It has just become the subject of serious medical study in the past few years. When I was first diagnosed, the doctor was quite candid about his lack of knowledge. He said that nobody knows what causes it, where it comes from or even how to effectively treat it. About the only thing he did know was that I had it. Without going into detail about these recent studies, I will try to explain it as I live with it.
Imagine that you have the flu. The aches and pain, the utter fatigue, the foggy head, the absolute inability to function normally. Now imagine waking up that way, every day for the rest of your life (on a good day). Yes, a good day for a Fibromite is feeling like the worst day with flu symptoms. But it does not stop there because a good day only comes around once in a while. Most people who suffer from Fibromyalgia are absolutely unable to function normally at all. The Pain is unbearable, the Fatigue is overwhelming, the symptoms can range from strange tingly sensations to overwhelming pain in the blink of an eye. I sometimes wake up to pain that I never thought could exist, or I hurt in places that I never would have believed you could experience pain. Have you ever had your eyebrows hurt so bad that you would be tempted to shave them off? Have you ever had a day when it hurt to wear clothing? The old expression "Pain in the Butt", must have been coined by a fibromite. There are days that I would just like to have a hug from my wife, but the thought of the pain it would bring keeps me from it. Your worst possible day with the flu, is my best possible day with Fibromyalgia.
That is why I admire Fibromites who refuse to give up. The temptation is there, and it is always in the back of your mind (I just can't possibly work anymore)... but you continue forward and still manage to mask your suffering and make it through a work day. I Salute those fibromites who still work and have a career because most people just give up and give in. They go on disability and sit around feeling sorry for themselves. But there are a remnant of you; a few brave souls, who enduring all suffering still manage to work. What is even more amazing is the number of fibromites who go into business for themselves. Working a normal job is hard enough, but working for yourself and by yourself would strain any healthy person into submission. I know of many healthy people who have taken thier own life from the stress of operating a small business, and yet I see many fibromites that can manage it, and it gives me courage and hope. You have to understand that most people with fibromyalgia do not look sick. But this invisible disease has taken soo much away from them. Is it Faith that keeps them going? Is it Hope? What kind of person can face impossible odds to become indepentantly successful in business? But let me define success for you healthy people. Success is not always about money. I know many people who would tell you that thier life is a success even though they don't have much money. Wealth and Success are a measure of how well we live our lives in the face of that which seems impossible.
There was a time in my life when I thought I had empathy for those who had a chronic illness or suffered chronic pain. But the truth is "I Had No Clue"! There was a time in my life when I thought success meant Money, Wealth, Fame and Stability. I now have a better understanding of how fragile and fleeting our lives truly are. It seems like just a moment ago that I was healthy and strong and independant. I could arise at five in the morning and work until one or two the next morning, day after day. Just a moment ago I thought I had a clear vision of my hopes and dreams. Just a moment ago it was all stolen from me by a disease I had never heard of before. Does that mean I am a failure? Certainly Not! God just needed to clarify my vision a little. I needed to be able to see life from another point of view. Now I see success in so many small things, and I understand the wonder and miracle of what success truly is. It seems like just a moment ago, that I could never attain success. But now I understand that success is simply a state of mind. I marvel at how much a healthy person is able to accomplish in one day, but I also understand that accomplishment is relative. If you have given the best you have to give, then you are a success. At this stage in my life, Success sometimes means that I made it through another day and gave it my best shot. Just because a person is unable to accomplish grand things. does not make them a failure.
My original intention for this blog was to give praise to all the people who suffer from Fibromyalgia or any other adversity and still manage to operate thier own business. Some have chosen this path out of desire, but many others have had to choose out of necessity. When you have a chronic condition that keeps you from working a regular job and regular hours, you have to become creative or give up. I see far too many people just give up in life, and I salute all those who give it thier best shot, no matter what tries to hold them down. These are the kind of people you want to do business with. These are the kind of people who deserve your business, because they have worked far above and beyond the call of duty and they will be willing to give you the kind of service you deserve.

May God grant you Success.
Charles Beason
http://www.rugrunnerbiz.com

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