Noticing the Blessings in Everyday Life

Leah Leilani avatar

by Leah Leilani |

Napa fundraiser, blessings

Chronic illness can dramatically alter life perspective. If there’s anything I’ve learned from having mitochondrial myopathy, it’s gratitude for my surroundings. I guess I’ve developed a kind of mindfulness from days spent inside my house trying to regain energy. If I’ve drained too much energy, it can take some time to recuperate.

There are only a few feelings in the world that make me realize I’m alive. When the weather is right, I go into my backyard to just sit and relish nature. I don’t notice how stuffy my house is until I feel the wind blow through my hair. I can feel the sun warming my skin, bringing a smile to my face. I love seeing the butterflies and hummingbirds zooming around the flowers. Being out there is much like meditating. It’s peaceful, serene. All the worries of life seem to melt away.
Sometimes my mom and I go on a short ride in the car for a change of scenery. My favorite drive is right down Pacific Coast Highway. We cruise the neighborhoods, looking at the cute houses. In times like those, I don’t dare look at my phone for fear of missing something — even minuscule things like a new sign on a billboard or a fresh coat of paint on a store.
Occasionally, my dog rides with us. My mom and I laugh as his hair blows in the wind, nose twitching while sniffing the air. Sometimes, we drive through Starbucks and order a “puppy frapp” for him — a cup of whipped cream. It’s the day’s highlight to see him get whipped cream all over his cute little face.
Those times make me realize that life isn’t just about working for an income and paying the bills. It’s so easy to get caught up in the motions. Sometimes it may seem like our to-do lists are all that matter. At night, when I pray, I think about my blessings and all the things I have to be grateful for. Even if I haven’t had the most positive day, this prayer is an opportunity to take a second and know that everything is, and will be, OK.

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Comments

Davide V avatar

Davide V

Dear Leah, I am a 33-years-old DMD patient. Every day I also experience everything you have described. Some days ago I was in my backyard under the cherry tree, there was a snow of white petals, what a wonderful sight! I was all fill with petals :D
One of my favorite Italian writers said: "We should find poetry in everyday life and this is the secret to being happy. If we cultivate our inner life, poetry would spring from the hard rock of everyday life, because it is an inner condition that feeds on every occasion, even the least showy."
"The poetry of life is to be found every day also in the daily experience of the relationship with others and with the world. Looking for it, with attention and trust." I hope I translated correctly...
I'm reading your posts, really congrats!
Best wishes from Italy, Davide

Reply
carlo avatar

carlo

I'm Mario's father. He can not be like me
I can not stop looking for a solution for your illness
He is 12 years old, I am 60
The mother does not want to undergo therapy with mesenchymal adult stem cells
He wants to live
how can I continue to live

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