Years ago I attended a support group for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. I was really sick, and it took a lot of effort to drive to the hospital, find a parking space and search for the meeting room.

During the evening, people spoke about what they were experiencing. When my turn came, I told the group about my struggle with pain and fatigue, and my frustration with not being able to keep up with others’ expectations.

The facilitator looked at me, then said, “You know, sometimes you just have to be a couch potato for awhile.”

What she said felt so right. She had given me permission to heal.