Alanna Wong writes about surviving trauma through acceptance.

Surviving Chronic Illness Through Acceptance

Today I am continuing my series on the seven qualities needed to survive chronic illness and overcome struggle. The first quality I wrote about is resilience, the second is strength, courage is the third, the fourth is love which brings us to the fifth quality, acceptance.

The fifth quality that a person needs when surviving chronic illness is acceptance from the people around them. Acceptance is extremely important when surviving chronic illness and overcoming a struggle. I never really knew the importance of acceptance until I personally experienced going through a traumatic experience. When you go through a tough time you begin to learn who accepts you and who doesn’t. Learn to appreciate and acknowledge the people who do not judge you in a negative way. Ask yourself, “Am I acknowledging and respecting that person’s kind treatment?” Or am I trying to find acceptance in people who are not able to give me the acceptance that I need.  Keep the ones who accept you close to you. If someone doesn’t accept you during your hardship, it may be time to move on.

So what does acceptance mean?  Acceptance is welcoming. It is letting go of your disappointments. It is seeing the positive. Acceptance is loving the person in the state that they are in and not trying to change or fix them. Acceptance is not blaming. It is not demanding. Acceptance is understanding. Acceptance is inclusion. Acceptance is love. Acceptance is what every person needs especially when going through a traumatic experience. Acceptance is checking in with the person that is struggling. Acceptance is sharing a moment in life together. Acceptance is being kind. Acceptance is having time. Acceptance is approval. Acceptance is sticking around.

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you did enjoy it, please share it with your friends and leave a comment below! I love hearing from you!

All the best,

Alanna Wong

p.s. If you haven’t read the introductory section of my book about my 13 year battle with Kleine-Levin Syndrome, you can read it here: http://alannawonglife.com/real-life-sleeping-beauty/