Join MVP Seminars
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
A Mysterious Diagnosis
A few years ago I was diagnosed with a serious disorder. At first, I didn’t pay much attention to it. It seemed rather benign. Anyway, I’m pretty skeptical about conditions being classified “disorders”. I think it’s a ploy fabricated by certain industries to prescribe more medication or therapy. Or perhaps, it’s for those who like to be fashionable and latch on to the latest trend. Whatever the case, as time progressed I could see how much it was impacting my life.
People had been commenting for quite some time that I was acting “different”. I must admit, I had begun to notice subtle changes but I brushed them off as a fluke. However, when they began to occur on a more regular basis and then daily, I could no longer deny it. I was forced to take action. I sought professional help.
While there have been suspicions for awhile that this disorder is real, I do believe mine has been the first officially documented case. I was diagnosed with CAD: Chronic Appreciation Disorder. Initially, I was in a state of denial. It was a lot to process. After all, the world is not accepting of those Pollyanna’s who find good in everything. There are opponents anxious to burst your happiness bubble. They are suspicious and uncomfortable with anyone feeling good all the time and will aggressively question your authenticity. And they have been known at times to berate you for your enthusiasm.
It doesn’t take much to trigger an attack of CAD although for me it is more prevalent in the early morning hours. Perhaps it has something to do with nature. I know people who have allergies to pollen and claim being outdoors triggers an attack of runny noses, watery eyes and sneezing. Nature definitely affects my condition as well. Being exposed for even a few moments to the most insignificant blessings triggers an attack of gratefulness. I’ll spontaneously begin thanking God for the gift of a deer. I’ll shout praises for the glow of the moon. Subtle breezes have been known to make me break out in a huge grin.
CAD is a fairly rare condition. Not many are stricken with it; fewer are even aware of its existence; still others claim it is a fabricated condition. But I can assure you it is very real. How do you know if you’re affected with CAD? There are six warning signs:
Chronic gratitude ~ excessive joy ~ uncontrollable outbursts of smiling ~ spontaneous verbal expressions of thanks ~ daily sense of contentment ~ general overall happiness.
If you have any or all of these symptoms, seek a professional for a proper diagnosis. (I am certified in CAD identification. Call me.) Early detection is critical. It will enable you to thoroughly enjoy life.
There hasn’t been enough research done on it yet to determine if it is contagious but I hope it is. Imagine if the entire world were afflicted?
There is no cure for CAD. I am told I will die grateful. Lucky me.
Tags: authenticity, change, Gratitude, happiness, hope