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When I was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, “thank you” were not words I ever thought I would associate with the disease. Why would I thank something that turned my world upside down?

But here I am, more than seven years later, realizing that while MS is undeniably challenging, it has also changed me in ways I never expected. In this special Thanksgiving episode of My MS Podcast, I reflect on three unexpected lessons that MS taught me. These are the life-changing shifts that made me say thank you. Not because MS is easy, but because it showed me what really matters.

If you’re currently navigating this diagnosis and struggling to find hope, this message is for you.

1. The Power of Mindset

Growing up, I was taught to look for silver linings, though I found it frustrating at times. But after my diagnosis, I started to understand why it matters so much.

In one of my early yoga classes, the instructor said something that stuck with me: the voice in your head is not you. At the time, I brushed it off. But once MS entered my life, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. That voice got louder and more negative. I was flooded with “what ifs” and worst-case scenarios.

Did you know the average person has 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts a day, and 80 percent of them are negative? Even more concerning, 95 percent of our thoughts are repetitive. That means if we let our mind run wild, we’ll relive the same negative patterns over and over.

MS made me stop and take control. I started practicing interrupting those thoughts. It’s not easy and it doesn’t work overnight. But every time I replace a harmful thought with a better one, I weaken its hold on me. I began putting on an armor of hope each morning to help shield me from negativity and focus on what’s possible.

Thanks to MS, I became more aware of the power of my thoughts. That awareness has allowed me to reshape how I live with this condition and how I view my entire life.

2. Getting Off the Hamster Wheel

Before MS, I thrived on being busy. I balanced work, family, a social life, and never paused to think if I was spending my time meaningfully.

MS brought that to a halt. It stripped away my ability to go, go, go. In doing so, it gave me a gift. It forced me to be intentional with how I spend my time and energy.

Rather than seeing MS as a limitation, I started to view it as a compass. With less energy to go around, I became more thoughtful with how I used it. Like a financial budget, having less made me more mindful. I had to ask: What’s worth my time? What fills me up?

When we spend our energy with intention, we actually feel more fulfilled. That shift didn’t just help me manage life with MS, it helped me create a life that feels more aligned with who I am.

3. Clarity on What Matters Most

With MS, everything takes more thought. From daily routines to long-term plans, I’ve had to pause and reflect in ways I never did before.

That reflection has brought clarity.

I now know what matters most to me. Not just because I thought about it, but because MS forced me to live it. I’ve learned to value peace over productivity, connection over constant motion, and joy in the small moments.

And this clarity? It’s a gift I didn’t expect.

Living with multiple sclerosis isn’t easy. It brings challenges that few can fully understand. But it also brings perspective, growth, and strength.

Want More Encouragement Like This?
Tune in to this week’s special episode of My MS Podcast:
🎧 Top 3 Unexpected Lessons Living with MS