Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria, took me back in time to what felt like over a century ago with the stunning yet aged architecture that paints the buildings of this city. It was blanketed in beauty and felt like another world with how every building was pristine and intact. I adore this city, and in spending my first day here, I could take in the essence of the culture and history.

Day two in Vienna looked different. All my mind wanted to do was explore more of this place, but all my body could do was rest. With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, or chronic illness in general, I find myself pushing to do it all because, for so long, I didn’t think I would amount to anything. For so long, I saw the world as if looking through straws, and for a short while, I thought I would die. Each moment in life is incredibly precious and one we should take full advantage of; for me, this comes in the form of chasing adventure, stewarding relationships, and serving the Lord in any way He calls me. However, despite all my mind wanted me to do, my body needed rest.

I spent a day in Vienna in bed. On the one hand, I felt my mind racing with comments about how I was wasting my trip, I was going to regret it, and I even went so far as to minimize the pain and exhaustion I was experiencing, as so many did for years prior. On the other hand, I felt at peace with the decision to honor my body and treat it as the temple it is by caring for and loving it well.