Deepak Chopra says, “The best thing that can happen to me is happening right now.” Now that my rheumatoid arthritis inflammation has calmed down and my body is able to do so much, it is easy to believe in this philosophy. When I feel good my whole relationship with life is different than when I am in the midst of a flare. But as I took a long walk with my border collie Izzy the other morning, it occurred to me that all those years I have spent dealing with one flare after another was actually the best thing that could have happened to me. It was the best thing that could have happened to me because it was preparing me for where I am today.
I like where I am today. I feel happy with who I have become over the years. I like rejoicing in the small everyday events of my life that I didn’t focus on as much before rheumatoid arthritis slowed me down. I like that rheumatoid arthritis forced me to stop and think about the time and energy I spent doing “things”. I can now look at my day and decide what is really important to me and let everything else go. Rheumatoid arthritis has helped me to focus on my goals in life and to let people and things that are filling voids in my life go so that I have room to give to those who are filling me to the brim with love, worthwhile experiences, and fun. I have learned that it is okay to ask for help and that people actually want to be there for me. I have built stronger relationships. I have learned to eat in a way that is not only providing my rheumatoid arthritis some relief but also the stomach issues I have dealt with since I was a young girl. I have discovered passions that revolve around food choices and health choices. I have learned that everyone has a very unique path they need to follow and even though it may be quite different than my path, it doesn’t mean it is wrong.
Although I don’t like the pain that rheumatoid arthritis has brought to my life and those around me, I know it was where I needed to be. Rheumatoid arthritis needed to be a part of who I am.(And still does) All the awful days I spent in flares forced me to take a deep look at who I am and what I really want out of life. I needed to have those days in my past to get to where I am today. Each day I have experienced with pain, swelling, and tears and each day I have spent without any of those were exactly where I needed to be each day. Each day is a chance to learn and to grow. As I write this post and reflect on my day, I know “The best thing that can happen to me is happening right now.”
The Life and Adventures of Cateepoo 
I hope one day to feel the same way about getting RA.
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This morning I started my day reading these words on the Facebook page of Toni Bernhard's “How To Be Sick”:
“I awoke to an email from a woman who finds comfort in the same words I do from Zen teacher Charlotte Joko Beck in Chapter 3 of the book: “Our life is always all right. There’s nothing wrong with it. Even if we have horrendous problems, it’s just our life.”
And this evening I am finishing my day reading your wonderful post on Chopra's quote. I don't think I ever told you, but a month or so ago–during the midst of a particularly rough flare–I found myself on your blog, looking for inspiration (I know I will always find it here, when I'm running short of it myself). I don't know how long that quote has been at the top of your page, but on that particular day it's what caught my eye…and from that second onwards, I repeated it over and over to myself, and go through the rest of my flare.
Today I had an intense flare, right in the middle of the day. For the first time ever, even though my physical self was being ravished, I found myself with a completely clear and calm mind. Never before have I made it through such an intense flare with such emotional calmness.
This is OUR life, and there's nothing wrong with it. It is indeed the best thing that can happen to me right now.
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Dutch,
We all get there in our own time. Be patient with yourself.
RA Guy,
Thanks so much for sharing this comment with me. It really touched me. In fact, I have reread it several times today, thinking of you calmly working your way through your latest flare. “The best thing that can happen to me is happening right now” is certainly happening to us if we open our mind to the possibilities in front of us, which you always do so well. Healing thoughts to you my friend.
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I so appreciate you and RA Guy sharing your positive approaches to RA and to life. Thank you, thank you.
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What a beautiful, profound and true post, Cathy. Thank you for giving me something good to think about. I hope you and your family had a lovely holiday.
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Beautifully written and rings the truth. Your blog is like a good cup of coffee and a dear friend. Thank you!
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Hi Cathy,
What an inspiring quote and hopeful perspective you shared with us!
Thank you!
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