PATIENT STORY Embracing Gratitude as a Lupus Patient: Finding Strength in Every Moment

By Aletha Acree

Living with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) brings countless challenges, from pain and fatigue to the uncertainty of flare-ups that can strike without warning. Yet, even amid this unpredictable journey, I’ve found that one thing can truly transform my experience: gratitude. This perspective shift hasn’t come easily – it’s a practice I’m learning to embrace, bit by bit. But gratitude has brought me a new sense of resilience and peace, reminding me that, despite the struggles, there is beauty to be found in each day.

Rediscovering Life’s Small Joys

Lupus has a way of reshaping your priorities. When flare-ups take hold, and my body feels like it’s working against me, I’ve had to slow down and re-evaluate. It’s in those slow moments that I’ve started to notice the little things that often go overlooked: the warmth of a sunny morning, the joy of a quiet cup of tea, the relief that comes from a kind word or a supportive message. Each of these moments is a gentle reminder that, while my body may struggle, my spirit doesn’t have to.

Learning to be grateful for these small joys has helped me to focus on what I have rather than what lupus takes away. Instead of feeling trapped by the limitations of my condition, I try to see each day as an opportunity to appreciate the world around me and reconnect with what matters.

Finding Strength in the Support of Others

Living with a chronic illness like lupus has taught me the power of community. Friends, family, and support groups have become my lifeline. Even on my worst days, knowing there are people who understand my struggle and are there for me brings a sense of comfort I can’t easily put into words.

When I reflect on gratitude, I think about the people who have been there for me – the loved ones who make space for my pain, listen without judgment, and offer a shoulder to lean on. Their support has reminded me that while I may face this illness every day, I am not facing it alone. Each gesture of kindness fills me with gratitude and renews my strength to keep going.

I also have found strength in my work at the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter. It was when I first came to the organization and met the CEO, Suzanne, that I found my strength. I realized that I had something to offer and I didn’t want to wait to die. So I began volunteering and eventually became a support group facilitator. Now, I work as the community impact coordinator where I am able to work with others to raise awareness and support those on their journeys with lupus.

Learning from My Body

Lupus often feels like a battle against my own body. Yet, as challenging as this relationship can be, I’ve come to see my body not as my enemy, but as a teacher. It’s taught me to slow down, listen more carefully, and honor my limits. By learning to respect the signals my body sends, I’ve found a balance that allows me to live more fully and feel more at peace.

Expressing gratitude for my body, even when it’s not at its best, has been a journey in itself. It’s not about pretending the pain or fatigue isn’t real; rather, it’s about acknowledging the resilience that carries me through every day, reminding me that I am still here, still trying, and still strong in my own way.

Gratitude for the Strength I’ve Built

Living with lupus is difficult, but it has also made me resilient. Each challenge, each setback, and each painful moment has taught me something valuable about my own inner strength. In times of struggle, I remind myself of all that I’ve endured, and I feel grateful for the resilience lupus has helped me cultivate.

Though this journey is often hard, there’s a certain power in knowing that I can still find reasons to smile and moments to savor. Lupus may take some things away, but it has also shown me the strength that lies within, even on the darkest days. This gratitude for my own resilience is something I carry with me every day.

Embracing the Present Moment

Perhaps one of the most valuable lessons lupus has taught me is the importance of the present moment. Flare-ups can make the future feel uncertain, and it’s easy to get caught up in what might happen next. But focusing on what’s within my control—like savoring this moment, this breath – brings a sense of peace that nothing else can.

Gratitude helps me stay grounded in the present. By focusing on what I’m grateful for right now, I feel more connected to the world around me and less burdened by the “what ifs.” In this way, lupus has become a teacher of mindfulness, encouraging me to appreciate each day as it comes.

Final Thoughts

Living with lupus is an ongoing challenge, but gratitude has transformed the way I face it. By learning to appreciate life’s small joys, the strength of my body and mind, the support of loved ones, and the present moment, I’ve found a way to navigate this journey with a little more hope, grace, and resilience.

Gratitude doesn’t make the pain or difficulty disappear, but it brings a lightness that makes the journey more bearable. It reminds me that, even on the hardest days, there is still beauty to be found. And for that, I am grateful.