Three Day Rule: Another Way to Cope

My Three-Day Rule: Another Way to Cope with MG
by Linda Lee
April 2005

I'm sure we all remember those parental - and now very humorous - adages that our parents and grandparents used on us when we were children. Most likely, today's parents probably have new ones, especially with all of the present days' new technology. For instance, a "computer" in my day was something only seen in a Science Fiction movie! If you really don't know what I'm talking about, let's take a minute to reminisce and laugh a little:

If you keep sucking your thumb, it will fall off!
Why are you crying? Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about!
Stop making those faces behind my back. I have eyes in the back of my head!
Stop your back talking or I will knock you into next week!
Don't run with the scissors. You'll fall and poke your eye out!

Okay, so now you know what I'm talking about. There's a lot more and each family had their own one-liners, I'm sure. For those of you who read my last article, I left you with mentioning my "Three-Day Rule," which was my own Mother's "words of wisdom" to me.

It all stated when I would get sick: My Mom use to tell me that I had only "three days" to get better. It didn't matter what I was sick with - a cold, the chicken pox, an ear infection, and even pink eyes. "Three Days," that's all I had! Unfortunately, I will never know why my Mom used this line on me. Heck, it wasn't enough just being home from school, resting and taking my medicine; I also had to get up and "fight it." Gosh, like being sick wasn't bad enough! These words were instilled in me, over-and-over again, for the longest time.

I do remember that for those "first three days," Mom would wait on me hand-and-foot. I even had a little bell to ring if I felt worse, was hungry, or needed something. Mom would come running up the steps and tend to my every need. But, after the "three days," I had to show signs of improvement. What was that all about? Well, in retrospect, my Mom was giving me "three days" to heal and rest my body; and, little by little, I would get stronger and, sure enough, all better.

My Mom died over five years ago and I will never really know - to her - what this terminology meant. However, in my challenge to accept MG in my life, I've found that the fight is worse than the battle. A few years back, during one of my deepest depressed stages, I started to hear those words - "three days" - over-and-over again. But I still didn't know what to do with them. I began to recognize that my MG wasn't going to leave me anytime soon; and, since my depression, anger, and miserable moods all centered around MG, I began to also realize that I had to accept MG as part of me. During this depressed period, I hated myself as much as I hated MG. As time went on, I wondered how long I would stay in my own miserable world. Then, like a ton of bricks it hit me….

I applied the "three day" rule: today, when the chips are down, when I need to sulk, when I need time to cry and be depressed, I give myself "three days" - "three days" to "enjoy" my miserable, saddened state. Around others, I keep quiet and to myself. When alone, I rethink and dissect everything going on in my life. I cry. I vegetate. I sleep. I do nothing. I talk to no one.

For me, it becomes a renewing of both the body and mind. I recoup my energies, replenish my strength, and revamp my sanity. It's okay to do this. Remember: the only thing we can change about MG is how we approach it. Learning to accept the changes MG has imposed upon the mental and physical components of our bodies and lives, does make it easier to cope with MG.

So the next time you feel your life coming apart at the seams, give yourself "three days" to see if this approach can put you back on track.

Until next time, keep the faith in yourself.

You know, I still wish my Mom was here so she could…."Kiss and make it better!"

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	My Three-Day Rule: Another Way to Cope with MG by Linda Lee April 2005 I'm sure we all remember those parental - and now very humorous - adages that our parents and grandparents used on us when we were children. Most likely, today's parents probably have new ones, especially with all of the present days' new technology. For instance, a "computer" in my day was something only seen in a Science Fiction movie! If you really don't know what I'm talking about, let's take a minute to reminisce and laugh a little: If you keep sucking your thumb, it will fall off! Why are you crying? Stop crying or I will give you something to cry about! Stop making those faces behind my back. I have eyes in the back of my head! Stop your back talking or I will knock you into next week! Don't run with the scissors. You'll fall and poke your eye out! Okay, so now you know what I'm talking about. There's a lot more and each family had their own one-liners, I'm sure. For those of you who read my last article, I left you with mentioning my "Three-Day Rule," which was my own Mother's "words of wisdom" to me. It all stated when I would get sick: My Mom use to tell me that I had only "three days" to get better. It didn't matter what I was sick with - a cold, the chicken pox, an ear infection, and even pink eyes. "Three Days," that's all I had! Unfortunately, I will never know why my Mom used this line on me. Heck, it wasn't enough just being home from school, resting and taking my medicine; I also had to get up and "fight it." Gosh, like being sick wasn't bad enough! These words were instilled in me, over-and-over again, for the longest time. I do remember that for those "first three days," Mom would wait on me hand-and-foot. I even had a little bell to ring if I felt worse, was hungry, or needed something. Mom would come running up the steps and tend to my every need. But, after the "three days," I had to show signs of improvement. What was that all about? Well, in retrospect, my Mom was giving me "three days" to heal and rest my body; and, little by little, I would get stronger and, sure enough, all better. My Mom died over five years ago and I will never really know - to her - what this terminology meant. However, in my challenge to accept MG in my life, I've found that the fight is worse than the battle. A few years back, during one of my deepest depressed stages, I started to hear those words - "three days" - over-and-over again. But I still didn't know what to do with them. I began to recognize that my MG wasn't going to leave me anytime soon; and, since my depression, anger, and miserable moods all centered around MG, I began to also realize that I had to accept MG as part of me. During this depressed period, I hated myself as much as I hated MG. As time went on, I wondered how long I would stay in my own miserable world. Then, like a ton of bricks it hit me…. I applied the "three day" rule: today, when the chips are down, when I need to sulk, when I need time to cry and be depressed, I give myself "three days" - "three days" to "enjoy" my miserable, saddened state. Around others, I keep quiet and to myself. When alone, I rethink and dissect everything going on in my life. I cry. I vegetate. I sleep. I do nothing. I talk to no one. For me, it becomes a renewing of both the body and mind. I recoup my energies, replenish my strength, and revamp my sanity. It's okay to do this. Remember: the only thing we can change about MG is how we approach it. Learning to accept the changes MG has imposed upon the mental and physical components of our bodies and lives, does make it easier to cope with MG. So the next time you feel your life coming apart at the seams, give yourself "three days" to see if this approach can put you back on track. Until next time, keep the faith in yourself. You know, I still wish my Mom was here so she could…."Kiss and make it better!"



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