In life with MG, what we look for is what we will find

“What you aim at determines what you see.” — Psychologist and author Jordan B. Peterson

For centuries, this deceptively simple truth has echoed through philosophy, faith, and medicine. For those of us living with myasthenia gravis (MG), it resonates with force.

MG can feel like a thief. It may steal our strength and stamina and take away our careers and relationships. In many ways, it is a thief that cannot be captured or punished. It is relentless. But if we aim our hearts toward what is lost, we will find only despair. If we courageously search for hope, we may find resilience and strength we didn’t know we had.

The Bible reminds us that perspective shapes reality: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Seeking is active, not passive. Living with MG often tempts us toward a passivity defined by symptoms, appointments, and limitations. But the invitation here is to be deliberate about what we look for, even in the midst of weakness.

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The medical realities of MG cannot be ignored. An ordinary meal can turn into a choking nightmare. Respiratory muscle weakness can lead to a life-threatening myasthenic crisis. Seemingly out of the blue, ptosis can make us unable to read, use a computer, or watch TV. These stark reminders of fragility are real.

Yet, if I spend all my energy staring at what might go wrong, I am consumed by fear. If, instead, I point myself toward managing symptoms, building routines, and seeking help, I discover a horizon where, despite the physical and emotional challenges of MG, a decent, meaningful life is possible.

Aiming for hope

In my own life, MG has forced several reckonings. I have stared at a breakfast plate, choking on a bite of food, wondering if I should dial 911. I’ve felt the sting of financial insecurity after being forced into early retirement. I have missed social events because my body refused to cooperate. In those moments, my mind rushed toward despair. But despair is not the best or only option.

The Stoic philosopher Epictetus observed, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” I cannot control MG, but I can control whether I seek only shadows or look for even the smallest glimmers of light.

That search for light can take many forms. Some days, it’s as practical as writing down three small things I’m grateful for. Some days, it’s as simple as finishing all my meals without choking. Other days, it’s reaching out to a friend rather than isolating myself. On others, I remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” Even when my body falters, my spirit doesn’t need to collapse.

Marcel Proust wrote, “The only true voyage of discovery … would be not to visit strange lands but to possess other eyes.” Living with MG doesn’t mean I get to choose my landscapes, but I do get to choose how I see them.

Medicine, faith, history, and literature all converge on one truth: What you aim for is what you find. If we seek only fear, we will find endless reasons to tremble. If we seek resilience, we will find examples, past and present, to guide us forward. Living with MG means daily choices about where to direct our gaze. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose what we look for in the aftermath.

So today, I aim for hope. And in aiming for hope, I just might find it.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.