Inspiring Resilience: How to Keep On Keeping #23

The discourse presented in this particular installment of DiabeticReal revolves around the enduring theme of perseverance amidst adversity, a notion that resonates universally, transcending the specific challenges faced by individuals with diabetes or other health-related conditions. Deborah, the host, articulates the inherent struggles that accompany the human experience, particularly during those moments when one feels overwhelmed by obstacles that seem insurmountable. She poignantly reflects on the fragility of human endeavors, illustrating how a single, minor setback can precipitate a profound sense of despair, especially when one has invested considerable effort in preparation and anticipation of a positive outcome. This emotional landscape is navigated with sincerity as she invites listeners to acknowledge the significance of resilience and the importance of maintaining a forward trajectory despite life's inevitable hardships.

“Even if I don't know you, I'm going to say that. So think of how those people would feel if you were no longer here. You got to keep on keeping on for them.” 

Deborah, 06:49

A salient point within her narrative is the emphasis on gratitude. Deborah encourages her audience to engage in introspection, to count their blessings, and to recognize the myriad aspects of their existence that merit appreciation. She posits that gratitude serves as a powerful antidote to despair, drawing attention to the fact that even in the face of adversity, there exists a wealth of positive experiences and relationships that should be cherished. Deborah’s reflections on her own life experiences, including her physical health and the support she receives from loved ones, serve to underscore the message that one is never truly alone, regardless of their struggles. This perspective is vital in fostering a sense of community and shared experience among listeners who may feel isolated in their challenges.

• The concept of perseverance is crucial, particularly in the face of life's inevitable challenges and adversities.
• Cultivating gratitude for one's circumstances, regardless of their severity, serves as a powerful tool for maintaining resilience.
• It is imperative to remember that each individual possesses unique struggles, hence fostering a sense of compassion towards oneself and others is essential.
• Ultimately, the act of 'keeping on' is not merely a suggestion; it is a necessary commitment to oneself and to those who care for us.

In summation, the episode conveys a profound message about the necessity of 'keeping on' in the face of life's tribulations. Deborah's earnest affirmation of love and support for her audience serves as a poignant reminder that even when one feels adrift, there exists a network of individuals who care deeply. The episode ultimately champions the idea that resilience, bolstered by gratitude and the recognition of one's intrinsic worth, can guide individuals through the darkest of times, leading them toward brighter horizons.

Chapters

• 01:56 Introduction to the Episode
• 03:55 The Challenge of Keeping On
• 05:31 The Power of Love and Connection
• 08:23 The Importance of Gratitude
• 09:41 Inspiration from Helen Keller

Episode Resources

• The Six Million Dollar Man [TV Show]

Community / Connecting

• Join us (absolutely free!) in the brand-new DiabeticReal.net community (no 'www'), where you can ask questions, suggest topics, and learn about any events...

Episode Transcript

(03:04):
Okay. Hello, everybody, andwelcome to another episode of DiabeticReal,
and I am Deborah. I hope allof you had an excellent week and
really enjoyed yourself. Doyou know what? If you didn't, maybe
this is the episode for you.This week we're going to talk about
keeping on, keeping on.Sometimes that is a challenge, and

(03:29):
I think that's a challenge foreverybody at one time or another.
It's not just the case forthose of us who have type 1 diabetes
or type 2 diabetes or epilepsyor any other ailment in our life.
It would seem to me, based onmy studies in psychology and based

(03:52):
on the people that I've talkedto, that some of us, you know, have
those days where it's like,wow, this is just a tough day for
me. Or you work and work andwork for that certain special something,

(04:14):
and then one little tiny thinggoes wrong and it all falls apart.
Especially when it's beyondyour control. Like, you've done everything
right. You've organized aheadof time, you've checked off everything
off that checklist, and you'vegot it. And it's just, man, that

(04:36):
is going to make you so happy.And you've waited so long, so many
weeks, so many months, so manyyears, and this is just going to
be the joyous occasion. Andthen something the size of a toothpick
or the straw that broke thecamel's back goes wrong, and you
plummet to, like, below sealevel, and you're so sad. And somehow

(05:05):
you have to figure out a wayto pick yourself back up and keep
on keeping on. That is achallenge. And, you know, there's
that saying is first count ofyour blessings. And I know it sounds

(05:27):
very cliche, but it is verytrue that I think about that, and
it's like, where am I now? Ididn't think to live this long. That's
definitely a blessing. I cancount. I didn't think they'd live
this long. And wow, sometimesthose little aches and creaks and
things like that, yeah, okay,maybe it's tough. But on the other
hand, I didn't think I'd stillbe here, so that's a plus. And what

(05:50):
is it? I heard this saying. Itwas actually this past year. Well,
however old you are today, youare younger than you are tomorrow.
That's definitely anotherthing to be thankful for. And there
are a lot of people out there.You've got to think about this. There's
a lot of people out there wholove you. You may not be aware of

(06:12):
them because there May bepeople out there who just. Maybe
they're too shy to say it, ormaybe they just don't have the personality
to say it, or maybe they'rejust really crappy at showing you
that they love you, but theydo. Add to that the people that do
tell you they love you, evenif they only tell you they love you

(06:34):
once in 15 years or something,there are people who love you. There
are people who have passed onthat have loved you. Remember them.
Even if they're not here onearth anymore, you are loved. I love
you. Even if I don't know you,I'm going to say that. So think of

(06:55):
how those people would feel ifyou were no longer here. You got
to keep on keeping on forthem. I mean, here, you know, I can't.
I know this sounds strange,but I'm actually tearing up at the
thought if somebody listeningto this and no longer being here
because they think they're notloved. I mean, yes, I love easily,

(07:15):
I care easily, but I really,seriously, I care. That is just who
I am. I love very easily. Ilove little animals. I love little
critters. I love people. Evenwhen people are unkind to me, I can
still find it, find somethinggood about them and love them. So
it's easy to love you,especially if you're listening to

(07:35):
my podcast, hey, and. And I'mbeing sincere. That's just who I
am. So. But back to theconcept of keep on keeping on no
matter what is going on inyour life. And again, this sounds
cliche, I know, but it's sotrue. No matter what is going on
in your life. It could beworse. It could be much worse. I

(08:01):
am so thankful myself that Ihave my two arms. I have my two hands.
I'm thinking that as I'mlooking at my hands, I just had my
second hand surgery and I'mlike, wow, the first hand really
healed up really well. Andleft hand's on its way and I've got
both my legs. I'm doing reallywell. We've been watching Six Million

(08:26):
Dollar man, great show fromthe 70s. And I mean, it's very entertaining.
But he lost, what, his arm,his left arm and both his legs in
an accident. Obviously this isfiction, okay, It's a TV show, but
it's not like the governmentis going to go and pay 6. I don't

(08:49):
know what $6 million isnowadays, but I mean, back then in
1974, $6 million to rebuildthis person. That's not going to
happen for you and me. So inthat case that would have been a
person that was minus an armand two legs. Okay, I know this is
really drawn out, but I'msaying I am very thankful to be at
my age and have both my armsand both my legs. I also think of,

(09:12):
for instance, Helen Keller.Oh, my goodness. That woman overcame
something that I wonder, couldI have ever been as great as she
was to overcome deaf andblind? And she contributed so much
for so many people. She is.Oh, she's inspirational. And you

(09:34):
stop and think you've gotsight, you've got hearing, even if
you have struggles seeingstruggles hearing. Look at what Helen
Keller had to fight through.And I don't mean go out in life and
compare yourself to everybodyelse. I'm not trying to say spend
your time doing that becausethat could, that could get a little
wonky. But just be thankfulfor what you have. That is definitely

(09:58):
a reason to keep on keepingon. Life is not easy. And even at
the best of times, there'sgoing to be a day that's not quite
measuring up to those best oftimes. But it's still a good reason
to keep on keeping on becauseyou're going to get to another time

(10:20):
that's the best of times. Andyou wouldn't be there if you hadn't
done that. Keep on keeping onRight. All right. This is Deborah
E Of DiabeticReal, and we'llsee you in the next episode of DiabeticReal.