Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Is Life Worth Living

Beloved,
Is it worth it?
Is living with this much pain worth the effort?
We answer that every day by getting up and getting at’em, so to speak. I don’t know how much pain you are in, but I know from my experience; I have sought relief, especially when I was younger, from sources that I am not real proud of. We are not exactly alike, you and I, but you are here because we share pain. The curves and twisting in my body is different than what is happening to yours, but we can identify with each other.
When I was younger, my church was against pre-maritial sex, cause it could lead to dancing…… But being a grandpa, and darn independent I realize my life is like a dance. An awkward dance. Pain wants to lead each step, and I am saying NO. I listen to a lot of problems throughout the day. Working with criminals makes me realize how important it is to teach consequences to our youth of today.
I say, shove it to pain, but I find that having to lead my own life; I tend to react rather than be aggressive in doing, saying and being the person I want to be. Every time I come on site here, I recognize I am in the presence of a strong, wonderful, caring group. This life is worth it to me, cause I love things, and people; more than ever. The opportunity to disregard the pain for a moment and dance this life with someone who needs your touch, or wisdom, your strength is the privilege you have before you.
Depression is a rotten stinking situation, but when I decide to put my mind to something more than just how I feel, I find a sense of worth. Now, remember, what people think of you does not determine your worth. At the same time if life is like a dance, you can’t bump into others, steal their partner or make fun of a dance move that is not like yours: and expect to be loved.
This is a place to grip, complain, even cry, but we also pick each other up and celebrate life and each little step of progress; because we are family. Choose life, each of us can give something to someone who needs it and that is what it is about.
I love this place. Thanks for listening.

Lon

Yes!! It is worth it!!

Hi Lon, what a lovely post. I have found that no matter how rough some days and weeks and, yep, even years and decades have been to endure, it's always somehow worth it. There are always better days ahead and ones that we would never ever want to have missed out on being a part of.

I enjoy reading your posts, feel privileged to know this group and am always grateful to have found KA, although I feel bad that I can't always find enough time to reply to sooo many of the incredibly thoughtful posts we read in here everyday.

Hey, I promise I won't make fun of your dance moves if you don't make fun of mine! Deal?

I love this place too!
mig

Wow

SOrry Lon I had typed a spectacular reply wiht heaps of praise for ou and your wisdom and this place but I must've not submitted it properly so now its lost in the internet netherworld.

Instead I'll just say I'm a bit scared of that whole cdance analogy because if you recall way back when I originally joined in here I mentioned an occasio non a cruise before I had met the Lovely Diane and had for the moment met another lovely and she was kind and spirited enough to try a dance with me across a fairly empty dance floor only to have me amid a feebly manuevered dip unceremoniously drop her like a bowling ball and bounce her across the dance floor.

So if life is like a dance I think I am in big trouble and folks around me should clearly take cover and be well insured.

I am clearly thinking you picked the dancing metaphor to traumatixe me. And after all these years of thinkin' you were such a good and wise soul I am now beginning to wonder.

Oh yeah, I love this place too and your posts despite the glaring omission of you crashing into a beer truck or drving a quad through the cab of any pick up trucks lately.

Hello Lon

What a heartfelt post.

I think this website does just what is says on the label! (or on the home page!)lol

Sympathy is one thing - but empathy - well, that's quite another.

I don't think anything darkens your thoughts or kills your spirit more than no-one understanding how you feel. It isolates you, makes you feel desolate and distances you from your loved ones. Your problems can become trapped in your head and totally overwhelm you.

Being in an environment where you can talk and share with people have actually "walked in your shoes" validates your feelings and cushions your pain in a way that nothing else can. Because it is not you fighting your AS it’s us – as a team and that gives you strength and courage and hope.

Putting that positive energy back into helping and supporting others in their hour of need, keeps the cycle going and means that you have always got someone’s back and someone has always got yours.

I am new to this site but it doesn’t feel like it! Everyone has been so kind, friendly and welcoming and I feel privileged to be a part of it

Life is a very prec'ious thing that a lot of people dont get a chance at and some have it cut very short for many reasons.We owe it to those who are not fortunate enough to live a full life to make it the best we can for ourselves and those around us.I think its better to be alive even if we are in pain and have twisted bodies. Life is what we make it and how we spend our time with our loved ones and friends. We should all embrace our time on earth because it is only short and although we are in pain and many of us deformed we can live a very full and happy life.

Kevin
I love it here too

What a great post Lon...one that I will save...I've had similar thoughts on rare occasions but my spiritual belief system will not allow me to be in control of my own death so I think that there must be a reason why this pain and disease is in my life, maybe there's a lesson I'm supposed to learn from it or it's meant to change something about me in order to make me a better person, I really never come to a conclusion on a painful day but on those rare, rare days when I wake up feeling somewhat like my old self, I think, "Oh yeah, now I remember this." Those are the days that I live for, they make the rest of it tolerable...and your right, we are family...thanks, Lon...

Hi Lon,
What an amazing post.
This site is my savour. Having someone in your life saying they understand and then coming here and having people truely understand is just the best thing.
I feel like I am not alone and that means so much.

I too love it here

Trish

Mig.
From what I know of you, from what I havew heard about you; I would be foolish to think of criticizing you or amove you'd make on the dance floor.
But who knows this thing called life calls for some bodcaious moves on our part. Love ya
Lon

Steve,
I am fed up with your constant stories of crusises and bouncing damsels off the ships bow!~ Give us common gus a chance will ya. We all know you to be the most capable gimps among us.
But cerial now, I am trying to forget the parked beer truck.
I'l have ya know I can drive my new 4-wheeler just fine. Come C for yer self.
Hug the girls for me. If they need a grandpa or uncle; I'm yer man. I do pray for you and your family. How is your wife feeling?

Br'er Lon

Tink,
we love having you here.
You fit right in, and we need you.
There will be people that I can not reach, or people who will not trust me, but they will trust you. Ask for help when you need it, but alwasy be willing to give you love when you can.
Lon