Last month marked five years since I officially received my diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. I turn 45 years old this week, and a lot has changed in my life, my mind, and my body. I wanted to take a moment to share some of the biggest lessons I've learned (and relearned) during this period that help me stay focused on what truly matters.

Lesson #1: We can always choose our response to life's events

This is listed number one because it's the lesson I wish I had learned much earlier in life. But I didn't. Better late than never, though.

We love to plan, project and dream. And then life happens. Sometimes, we get what we wanted and often we get something we never expected. Regardless of what life throws our way we get to choose our response. I gave myself two weeks to have a pity party after I received my diagnosis. After that, it was game on. I realized I didn't want MS to dictate my future. I decided I was going to make the most of the time, energy, and mobility while I still...