Meaningful Activity

Our illness shouldn't be allowed to take all our focus and time.  It is not who we are.  It is not our "fate in life".  Part of taking control back of our lives involves finding other activities that can accept our focus, and therefore lessening the feeling that our illness is the most important part of our lives.

Each peer is unique and not all of these suggestions will fit every peers' needs, but use them as a stepping stone to explore meaningful activities in your life:

	Sports Golf Horseback Riding Swimming Jogging/Running Square Dancing
	Arts Watercolors Music - learn to play an instrument, take up singing, take up going to operas Pottery Dance
	Community Service Join a local volunteer group Visit those in nursing homes Mentor children in English, Math or Science Investigate volunteer opportunities at a local church Volunteer time at an animal shelter or foster a homeless animal until a permanent home can be found
	Nature Make a nature walk a regular part of your day Become a docent at your local aquarium or zoo Plant a garden Volunteer to tend the garden at a local community establishment
	Literature Pick a new author and read all their books Start writing "the great American novel" Volunteer to read to elementary students on a weekly basis
	Travel Travel the world Travel the country Travel the state Visit all the great tourist traps in your local area Travel vicariously through the Internet The point is that this list is truly endless.  Find something you enjoy, devote time to learning more about it.  It will make you a more rounded person, it will fill some of the hours you used to spend thinking about your illness.  It will give you the opportunity to meet new and interesting people.