Lessons Learned

It's not easy, well nothing is easy. Everything takes time and effort, nothing can be forgotten. I have learned a lot so far in my life and I am only nineteen. It seems that in the past little while I have learned more about myself than I could have ever imagined.

I learned that I am strong, and not only strong but absolutely capable of getting through whatever life throws at me. My disease isn't going to control me . . . I am going to control my disease and that is what makes me strong. An adjustment to my lifestyle has had to occur on different occasions and with positive support and reassurance I have accomplished more in my life than I ever believed previous to being diabetic.

I realized that being patient is the key to success. We live in an instant world, we want everything right now. Unfortunately this gives us a lot of disappointment because a lot of things in life don't happen over night. Although I can be extremely impatient at times, I learned that patients is key. I try to apply this to my life, I take a couple breaths and think one day I'll get there, today is one step closer.

Self worth is something that I am slowly gaining. My life is full of ups and downs and I am sure everyone reading this can relate. We all go through speed bumps that batter us down but the most important thing is for us to get back up and try again. Our past can rarely be forgotten and the memories we have created will always be a part of our history but that doesn't mean we can't become a better person from it. I have been called every name in the book but I have never let the labels and stereotypes become who I am because I am better than every name a person has ever called me.

I learned the importance of good friends. I regret not spending more time with my friends but from this I am eager to change. I want to make sure that my friends know just how much I appreciate them. Unlike most friends I come with instructions, give me a needle if this, give me sugar if that... Diabetes is not a disease that can be battled alone, you need the love of friends in family to keep positive.

Another thing I learned about myself is that despite always seeming to have a lot of down time for myself, I really don't take enough time to reflect. Since having my blogs; however, I have really allowed myself to speak out and not be scared of my voice and opinions. I know that people will judge, everyone judges, but I am not scared to be judged.

Diabetes has put me on a different track, I had everything planned at one point in my life and realized you can't plan your life to detail, you can only dream and work with the obstacles.

Kayla