For years I was crushed by the idea that I was a "quitter" because I could not hold onto a job like other people. Sure, I tried with all my heart but one thing after another always seemed to get in the way. In fact, I began to feel like being diagnosed with a chronic illness was synonymous with being a complete and utter failure at life itself. However, what once made me hate my life - a challenging, ever-present chronic illness - now fortifies me in my passion to move forward.
People have a habit of claiming that we need a certain combination of materials and status to have a meaningful life. Whether it's advice on how to find a stable job, critique on our current love life, or head shakes over our inability to reach another societal milestone, the pressure from strangers and even loved ones can greatly affect how we see ourselves. I used to have absolutely no self-confidence because I thought my status as an unmarried, single, unemployed, free spirit made me somehow less in terms of community contribution. But, what I know now is that it is exactly the parts that make me different that add essential perspective to our world as a whole.
Having hydrocephalus, neurocardiogenic syncope, and gastroparesis, among other things, does make it hard to hold onto "normal" jobs and the inevitable vocational black holes are not kindly looked upon within most employment spaces. I cannot count how many jobs that I applied to over the years only to be turned down for lack of consistent work history and completed schooling. What some employers fail to recognize is that having a chronic illness affects daily life regardless of possible remission or effective treatments in place.
For example, I attended college for about seven years before debt and frustration finally caused me to reevaluate my decision to pursue a degree. Leaving school after seven years with only an associate's degree was particularly devastating and for a while, I thought my resulting lack of job prospects would leave me chronically unemployable. However, God is good and there is always a light at the end of a tunnel!
After years of questioning my purpose in the world, I finally discovered that I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished with the life I have been given. I don't need outside validation or titles to make note of the hard work I put in on a daily basis just to survive, coping with different symptoms. Rather, I know now that I am completely responsible for my own happiness and for what I give of myself to the world regardless of my particular path to acknowledgement.
There are many positive takeaways from discovering who we are as individuals, but one of my favorite lessons is that there is always another way to look at a particular situation or circumstance. So, my silver lining on being a self-proposed "chronic quitter" is that I am blessed to experience a healthy myriad of interests, hobbies, and moments.
People have a habit of claiming that we need a certain combination of materials and status to have a meaningful life. Whether it's advice on how to find a stable job, critique on our current love life, or head shakes over our inability to reach another societal milestone, the pressure from strangers and even loved ones can greatly affect how we see ourselves. I used to have absolutely no self-confidence because I thought my status as an unmarried, single, unemployed, free spirit made me somehow less in terms of community contribution. But, what I know now is that it is exactly the parts that make me different that add essential perspective to our world as a whole.
Having hydrocephalus, neurocardiogenic syncope, and gastroparesis, among other things, does make it hard to hold onto "normal" jobs and the inevitable vocational black holes are not kindly looked upon within most employment spaces. I cannot count how many jobs that I applied to over the years only to be turned down for lack of consistent work history and completed schooling. What some employers fail to recognize is that having a chronic illness affects daily life regardless of possible remission or effective treatments in place.
For example, I attended college for about seven years before debt and frustration finally caused me to reevaluate my decision to pursue a degree. Leaving school after seven years with only an associate's degree was particularly devastating and for a while, I thought my resulting lack of job prospects would leave me chronically unemployable. However, God is good and there is always a light at the end of a tunnel!
After years of questioning my purpose in the world, I finally discovered that I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished with the life I have been given. I don't need outside validation or titles to make note of the hard work I put in on a daily basis just to survive, coping with different symptoms. Rather, I know now that I am completely responsible for my own happiness and for what I give of myself to the world regardless of my particular path to acknowledgement.
There are many positive takeaways from discovering who we are as individuals, but one of my favorite lessons is that there is always another way to look at a particular situation or circumstance. So, my silver lining on being a self-proposed "chronic quitter" is that I am blessed to experience a healthy myriad of interests, hobbies, and moments.
On a daily basis, I try new things and make memories that are worth holding onto; hence, Daily Dabbles.
Daily Dabbles are my way of showing others all that I love about life, because I seriously doubt such an infinitely creative God would agree with the idea that we should just pick one venture and toil away at it until we die. Maybe free spirits do have a bad rep as being prone to quitting, indecisiveness, and fickleness but I am here to say that it's more than okay to explore the world around us and enjoy doing so! After all, life itself is all about experiencing the vast wonder of the world that we live in.
So, I encourage each of you to reach out and find the adventures that speak to your heart. Certain health restrictions can make it a challenge, but feel free to get creative! If you have a shunt that keeps you from bumper cars and recreational jumping, discover interactive video games and indoor sky diving! Whatever it is, find a way to make your dreams come true even if they come to fruition in a slightly different manner than you initially plan.
We will go on this adventure of self-discovery together and as I add to my own list of moments*, I will leave links and pictures below so that you can gather new ideas and add to your own. After all, who said we can't try everything that sparks an interest?! I hope that this will serve as a fun, interactive way to network with like-minded individuals who also choose to see themselves as amazing, as is!
I look forward to hearing about your adventures,
Danielle
So, I encourage each of you to reach out and find the adventures that speak to your heart. Certain health restrictions can make it a challenge, but feel free to get creative! If you have a shunt that keeps you from bumper cars and recreational jumping, discover interactive video games and indoor sky diving! Whatever it is, find a way to make your dreams come true even if they come to fruition in a slightly different manner than you initially plan.
We will go on this adventure of self-discovery together and as I add to my own list of moments*, I will leave links and pictures below so that you can gather new ideas and add to your own. After all, who said we can't try everything that sparks an interest?! I hope that this will serve as a fun, interactive way to network with like-minded individuals who also choose to see themselves as amazing, as is!
I look forward to hearing about your adventures,
Danielle
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*You can help me continue on my own journey of self-discovery by donating to the growth of Dani's Dabbles by purchasing a variety of custom handmade gifts and unique advocacy products at our Online Store.
*You can help me continue on my own journey of self-discovery by donating to the growth of Dani's Dabbles by purchasing a variety of custom handmade gifts and unique advocacy products at our Online Store.
So far, I have accumulated a fun assortment of Daily Dabbles and made some fine memories to boot! Whether you are just discovering a particular Dabble or wish to rediscover a forgotten love, please feel free to explore our posts for more information, resources, pictures, stories, and more! There, you may find posts about:
- Crochet Work
- Food Decor
- Fine Arts Exploration
- Home Decor
- Reviews
- Written Pieces
