Embracing Challenges

Turning Life’s Struggles into Stories

I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 55 years old—a debilitating disease that would completely alter the way I lived and worked. By the time I turned 57, the symptoms had progressed to the point where even something as fundamental to me as writing became a struggle. My hands, wrists, and fingers were wracked with inflammation and pain, making every word I tried to write excruciating.

But I adapted.

I taught myself to use speech-to-text features on my laptop so I could still put my thoughts into words without relying on my hands. I invested in a chair that offered the support and comfort I needed to keep writing, even on the tough days. I adjusted my work schedule to become more flexible, allowing me to seize moments of clarity when the brain fog lifted. During those brief clearings, I would quickly jot down ideas or focus on a task before the fog returned, or before the pain became too overwhelming to continue.

It wasn’t easy—it still isn’t. But I learned to compromise. I had to reframe my always-active, always-on work ethic into something more fluid, something that could bend to the limits this illness imposes on me. It became a matter of accepting the challenge and finding ways to work around it, rather than letting it stop me.

Living with lupus has been more than a physical battle—it has reshaped the way I approach life and work. For much of my life, I thrived on productivity, always pushing forward, always accomplishing. But lupus forced me to slow down and redefine what success means.

I’ve learned that progress doesn’t always come in big leaps. Some days, it’s about taking small, intentional steps forward—a paragraph written, a moment of clarity seized, or simply honoring my need to rest and recover. These moments, though small, are meaningful. They remind me that growth doesn’t have to be immediate to be real.

This journey has taught me patience, resilience, and gratitude for even the simplest victories. And while I never would have chosen this path, I’ve come to see it as an opportunity—a teacher that challenges me to grow in ways I never expected.

Life is full of challenges—some that reshape us entirely and others that simply nudge us forward. But every challenge, big or small, carries the seed of a story. It’s in these moments of struggle and adaptation that we learn who we are, what we value, and how we can grow.

These challenges, whether they reshape us or simply nudge us forward, aren’t just defining moments in our lives—they’re the beginnings of stories. Stories that carry lessons, strength, and inspiration. Sharing those stories doesn’t just help us make sense of our own journey; it creates a bridge for others, offering them guidance, hope, or simply the comfort of knowing they’re not alone.

Think about the moments in your life when you’ve had to adapt, overcome, or simply endure. Maybe it was a time when circumstances pushed you to grow in ways you didn’t expect. Or perhaps it was a quiet challenge—one that tested your patience, strength, or creativity in small but meaningful ways.

Each of these moments holds a story. It doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic; it only needs to be true. By reflecting on these challenges, you may uncover not just what you learned, but also who you became because of them.

And that’s the beauty of storytelling—it allows us to take life’s struggles and reframe them as something powerful: lessons learned, wisdom gained, and connections formed. When you share your story, you’re giving others the opportunity to see themselves in your experience, to find hope, and to realize they’re not alone.

Your story matters. Your challenges and triumphs—big or small—are part of the unique tapestry of your life, and sharing them could be exactly what someone else needs to hear. So take a moment to think about your own life. What story is waiting to be told?

If you’d like to explore your story further or need guidance on how to tell it, contact The Intrepid Editor Press. We’d be honored to help you bring your story to life.

Take Care, Be Well, and Keep Yer Dobber Up!