Important Disclaimer: None of the information in this podcast, my social media or website is meant to treat a medical condition or supplement the vital role healthcare practitioners have. My work is only meant to encourage you to seek help from these experts. I only share my experience as a person and patient. As I plan content for the podcast, I find myself sifting through the archives of my life—old notes, journals, mementos. I’m interviewing my parents, asking high school friends questions, and, little by little, patterns are beginning to emerge. It stings to admit this, but even in the moments I thought I was my “happiest” over the past 24 years—serving others, traveling, staying super busy—I looked different to others than I imagined myself. I did. In the early stages of my illness, when I was still a pure extrovert and a crazy strong leader, friends noticed I was pulling away, retreating into myself. They couldn’t pinpoint why. It was physical pain. Looking back at my journals, I saw how I “lost purpose” around the time I graduated college. By the time I was working in nonprofit organizations, I clearly remember a dear friend saying to me, “Jaasiel, my prayer is that the L-rd would return to you the years of your youth and renew your strength.” I thought, “What the heck?! Do I really look that old and old and lost?” 😅 Years later, I saw photos of myself from that time—hunched over, looking oddly fragile and unstable. Good heavens! This was hard to swallow—I must admit—it was really hard to see myself in pictures. Those were all signs that something wasn’t okay with me—I was merely surviving. My body hunched unconsciously, trying to protect itself from the pain. Though I pushed through with a smile, put on makeup, and burned every last drop of adrenaline to appear “normal,” it still showed. Worse yet, deep inside, I knew I had lost my joy and purpose. I was battling depression, deep sadness and loss over dreams and hope. Did you know the Art of Resilience Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify? Here’s the thing about chronic illness: one of its many silver linings (yes, there’s more than one) is that it ages you—not just physically, but emotionally. You bury dreams so fast it’s dizzying. I’ve had a mid-life crisis… twice! But on the flip side, you learn lessons and mature faster than most people. You figure out what really matters and learn to value it deeply—often much sooner than others. To my dearest sister from another mother, who prayed that heartfelt prayer for me so many years ago: G-d has heard you. Havah, thank you!. 🥰 In this episode, I dive deep into the importance of reclaiming purpose and joy when living with chronic illness. I also explore the concept of neuroplasticity, which has revolutionized the treatment of chronic pain. Our brains can be rewired, our thought patterns do matter, and recovering joy and purpose—whether you’re living with a chronic illness or not—is absolutely possible. All of us struggle with something, you don’t have to be sick to battle something. Our past, trauma, our fears and apprehensions, comparing ourselves against others. So I want to offer you a challenge, to know whatever the thoughts that hunt you deep inside, these can be turned around. Recovering and having a deep sense of purpose and joy is something we cannot afford to ignore. Humans are like diamonds. We were made with multifaceted beauty. Tragedy, sickness, and even depression is part of the human experience. When tragedy and sickness strikes, remember, we are not just one thing. There’s treasures untold inside all of us and it is up to us to discover what our Creator put inside us, that multifaceted diamond is waiting for you to discover and rejoice in it. Let’s do it! Here’s a link to the guide I reference in the podcast! Thanks for reading Yaaziel’s Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. The Art of Resilience Community is Open Now! This is a subscription of $5/month. This community is a space where we draw strength from shared experiences and find hope together. Through the lens of my 24-year journey with chronic illness and pain, I’m creating a community to inspire, uplift, and empower you to thrive. Here’s what you can look forward to: ✨ Weekly Mindful & Artful Meditation PracticesJoin me live on Substack weekly as we explore meditations and creative exercises that have brought me peace and clarity. Let’s draw, reflect, and share in the joy of creativity together. 🎁 Free Monthly ResourcesGet access to worksheets to help organize your goals, tips to tackle challenges, and resources for affording medications and treatments. 💬 Community Chats & Product SharingConnect with others who get it. Whether it’s swapping advice, sharing favorite tools, or just growing through the tough days, we’re here for each other. Let’s journey through resilience together—because hope is always worth sharing. 🌼 🙌🏼 Join now and let’s build something beautiful! Sign up for a paid subscription of this Substack! * and more upcoming additions to this community! Subscribe below! Help me to spread the word! 🙏 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit brevedesignco.substack.com/subscribe
