When I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2016 my thoughts were all over the place.

I worried about making the decisions that I was making in those early days about my treatment.

I worried about the possibilities of the worst case scenarios coming true.

I worried day and night!

And of course, that wasn’t productive because it only led to more stress in my body. 

I needed to do something to help manage my thoughts. 

So, I wrote an anthem. 

This was my battle cry if you will for getting through the early days of a diagnosis and holding hope for the future. 

I want to share this anthem with you in hopes that it can help you too. 

You can also download a copy to print at alenebrennan.com/anthem as well as listen it on my podcast. 

Managing Mindset with MS

In my previous blog post, we talked all about the importance of developing a healthy mindset when living with a chronic illness like multiple sclerosis. 

We all have runaway thoughts, and sometimes they feel like they’ll just never stop. 

I experienced this firsthand when I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. 

Then as I was doing research online, I saw that several studies have shown a strong connection between our mental state and our physical health. 

Stress, anxiety, and negative emotions can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off illnesses and manage chronic conditions… hello MS!

So you’re telling me that stressing over my health is making me more sick?

Thanks, I appreciate that one!

I don’t think that it’s realistic to not be emotionally affected by a diagnosis like MS, but I do think it’s important to acknowledge the importance of managing our emotions and mindset. 

Research on a Positive Mindset

Research indicates that maintaining a positive mindset can lead to faster recovery from surgeries, reduced pain perception, and even enhanced longevity. 

This is a topic that I could share so much on, and I’m actually considering doing a whole season on mindset. If that’s something that you’re interested in, let me know, I always love hearing your requests and what you’re most interested in!

But today, I’m going to keep it short and brief. 

I’m doing so because I’m hoping that this is an episode that you download and save so that you can play it often – daily if you need it. 

It was my battle cry for getting through the early days of MS, but it’s relevant for any season of MS really. 

So, my friend this is my MS Anthem, and I hope you enjoy it! 

My MS Anthem

I am resilient.

I am empowered—in my healing, in my world.

I nourish my body, my way;

knowing there are healing choices available to me.

I have good days, I have bad ones.

Neither fully define me.

I am not swayed by the inevitable peaks and valleys;

not giving away my peace or power to either.

Despite how my body feels in this moment, I honor where I am.

I contradict what MS expects of me; what the world expects of me.

I am on my own path and it won’t look like everyone else’s.

I decide when to rally and when to rest.

I am not a stigma or a symptom, I am a story.

I refuse not to be seen amidst this unseen disease.

I am not a label, I am liberated—to have a voice, to have a choice,

to go beyond anyone else’s definition of me.

I hold hope like a lantern, lighting a path through a million shadows.

My experience may be standalone, but I do not have to stand alone.

I am more than MS.

I am MSIndependentTM and today I take my world back.