The importance of leaning toward hope in life with Friedreich’s ataxia
Wisdom from 'The Lorax' reminds me to maintain a positive mindset
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If you’ve followed my column for some time, you probably know these few defining pillars of my approach to living with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA):
- FA requires constant adaptation, but I adapt FA to my life rather than adapting my life to accommodate FA.
- I try to live intentionally and make choices that will be safe and beneficial in the long run.
- Being a mom, a wife, and a Christian are the most important things to me, and FA is just a part of those journeys.
With that, I watch a lot of movies with my kids, and those movies inspire many of my columns. I hear lines that either resonate with me or prompt reflection, and a piece begins to form in my mind. During spring break this year, my family and I drove two hours to our favorite small-town zoo, and the children watched several movies to pass the time, including the 2012 animated film “The Lorax.”
When they watch movies in the car, I can’t see the screen; I only hear the dialogue and music. That can really change how I experience a movie. One quote I heard has stuck with me and inspired many introspective conversations.
The character of the Lorax (voiced by the talented Danny DeVito) is talking to the protagonist, Ted — who serves as a cautionary tale — about the direction Ted’s life is heading. The Lorax says, “A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.”
I know a little something about falling
This struck me in several ways. As someone with neurologically affected balance, I can confirm that this is physically true. When I am standing straight and holding on to something, I can usually stay firmly on my feet. However, if I lean or reach for something, I usually lose my balance and fall in that direction.
However, this statement is also true on an emotional and psychological level.
When I am in a negative headspace and can’t see past all the things FA has taken from me, life seems daunting and insurmountable, and I feel overwhelmed and incapable. I fall the way I am leaning — toward dark and defeated. I get into a funk that leaves me feeling incredibly negative about most things in my life. I fall into a depression because that is the way my thoughts and mood are leaning.
On the other hand, if I have a little energy, reap a reward after hard work, or receive a compliment or two, my mindset flips to a positive “can-do” direction, setting my day on a productive path. I fall into a positive headspace because that is the direction my thoughts and mood lean.
When I fell and fractured my nose in February, I had to wait for some of the swelling to subside before I could have surgery to reset and realign the fractures. Waiting for surgery is such a mental game, and I was very intentional about who I shared the news with, the words I used, the advice I accepted, and the content I consumed.
The morning of my surgery, I blasted the song “God is Good,” by Phil Wickham, on repeat. In it, he sings, “He works all things together so much better than we could/ Oh, lift your eyes to heaven and remember he is good.” I wanted to lean toward happy thoughts to do all I could to manifest a positive outcome.
Note: Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.
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