When My Halo Slipped (And What It Taught Me About Grace)

Jump to Recipe

Have you ever read a comment on social media that just rubbed you the wrong way — and suddenly felt the urge to “set them straight”?

Okay… maybe it’s just me. But recently, I had one of those moments.

As most of my friends and family know, I’ve had to change the medication I use to manage my Multiple Sclerosis. And let me tell you — the first month had been a full-blown roller coaster of emotions.

First, there was shock.
My body suddenly decided that the treatment that worked beautifully for twelve years was now not on my team.

Then came anger — because apparently, I’m not fully in control of what this disease decides to do. That’s a tough pill to swallow (no pun intended).

Then fear crept in.
Fear that I wouldn’t find another treatment my body would respond to. Fear of a relapse — something I’ve experienced every time I’ve had to stop medication before.

And layered on top of all of that?
The anxiety of starting something new… along with nausea, headaches, fatigue — and yes, a generous sprinkle of irritability (but you didn’t hear that from me).

Thankfully, my family were nothing short of amazing.

They cheered me on, showed me compassion, and reminded me that ups and downs are part of the process — especially as this new medication works to “reset” my immune system.

The tricky part?

Extending that same patience and empathy to myself. Turns out, it’s a whole lot easier to preach grace than it is to practice it.

Cue the Social Media Incident

I had joined a Facebook group for people taking this same medication — to learn, share, and hopefully feel a little less alone in it all.

The rules were simple:
Be kind.
No bullying.
Respect each other.
Keep things supportive.

Pretty standard and honestly, pretty reasonable.

But here’s the thing — perception is everything.

What feels neutral to one person can feel judgmental to another, especially when emotions are already running high. Years of working in an office taught me that tone doesn’t always translate well and social media only adds another layer of distance.

Sometimes things land softer than intended.

And sometimes, they don’t land soft at all.

The Comment That Pushed My Buttons

After my first round of treatment, I posted a simple question about nausea — asking if anyone had found ways to manage it besides Gravol.

Most people were incredibly kind and helpful.

But then…

There’s always that one person.

She told me I needed to “toughen up,” that a little nausea wasn’t a big deal, and that I was “fine.” I tried to let it go. I really did. But after a few hours of letting it simmer… I couldn’t.

So I replied — calmly but honestly — that her comment came across as condescending and judgmental, and that I wasn’t looking for sympathy… just shared experience.

That’s when things escalated.

She doubled down. Said she doesn’t “coddle,” that she puts on her big girl pants and deals with it — and maybe I should do the same.

Well… my halo slipped a little at that point. I told her that since she values honesty, here’s some of mine. I’ve lived with MS for a long time. I don’t overanalyze every little symptom — but I do pay attention to my body. I wasn’t offended by her opinion — just the way it was delivered.

Because empathy and kindness can go a long way.

I reminded her that I wear my “big girl pants” every single day. What I don’t need is a lecture on how to handle my disease. And if her goal was to teach me to stop asking “stupid questions” and just suck it up… Well, mission accomplished.

The Part I Didn’t Expect

But then something surprising happened.

We kept talking.

And little by little, the tone shifted.

The sharp edges softened.
The defensiveness eased.
And somewhere in that back-and-forth… we actually found a bit of common ground.

By the end of it, there was mutual respect. Even understanding.

Am I proud that I let her get under my skin? Not really.

But am I proud that we both stayed in the conversation long enough to see each other as human? Absolutely.

What I’m Learning (Again)

Grace isn’t just something we offer the people we like.

It’s something we practice — especially when it’s uncomfortable.

Especially when we feel misunderstood.

And especially when our halo slips a little.

Because sometimes…
the lesson isn’t in the comment itself.

It’s in what happens after.

And maybe — just maybe — we’re all fighting battles that could use a little more kindness than commentary.

After a day where my patience ran a little thin and my halo slipped just enough to remind me I’m human, I found myself back where I always seem to land — in the kitchen.

Because sometimes, the best way to reset isn’t to overthink it. It’s to make something simple. Something comforting. Something that reminds you that balance is possible.

This hot honey chicken is exactly that.

A little sweet.
A little heat.
And somehow… it just works.

Kind of like life on the days we get it right — and even on the days we don’t.

---

Jump to Recipe