Recently, well two months ago to be exact I injured my back.
It's not a serious injury and the doctor says with rest and physical therapy I should be okay.
Now I don't want to sound like a baby and most days the pain isn't too bad.
I haven't missed any work days and still drive a couple of hours a day.
But the pain/discomfort is constant.
Dealing with pain has made realize how much our lives can be challenged by pain.
It clouds everything you do and restricts things that you use to take for granted.
Pain also affects your mood and behavior.
I have a lot less patience with people and things.
The key is turning this pain around to something positive.
Using the time I now spend on the couch or bed to read and think.
To reflect and plan.
Those who deal with pain for years and still are able to live productive lives have my deepest appreciation.
It's also times like this that I think of my grandmother we called her Nannie.
From her early thirties to the day she died she was racked with pain from crippling arthritis.
Yet I rarely heard her complain.
She was always cheerful, quick to smile, laugh and tell a joke.
I try to remember her courage as I deal with my own pain.
As I reflect on the nature of pain and how it affects one's outlook.
I realize that for every negative there's a positive.
Kind of like ying and yang.
Last night we had a small dinner birthday party for Peter my grandson.
My son and his wife were there with Peter and Anna Rose, my three year old grand daughter.
Also there was Katrina my daughter Amanda's little girl and John, Amanda's boy friend.
Now since injuring myself I find it hard to sit in a chair more than 5-10 minutes.
But last night I sat for an hour without any discomfort! I think two things were happening: 1.
I was distracted by all the excitement.
2.
I believe that endorphins are released when we experienced love, joy and laughter.
So I guess the lesson concentrate on things that bring us joy and to laugh more!
It's not a serious injury and the doctor says with rest and physical therapy I should be okay.
Now I don't want to sound like a baby and most days the pain isn't too bad.
I haven't missed any work days and still drive a couple of hours a day.
But the pain/discomfort is constant.
Dealing with pain has made realize how much our lives can be challenged by pain.
It clouds everything you do and restricts things that you use to take for granted.
Pain also affects your mood and behavior.
I have a lot less patience with people and things.
The key is turning this pain around to something positive.
Using the time I now spend on the couch or bed to read and think.
To reflect and plan.
Those who deal with pain for years and still are able to live productive lives have my deepest appreciation.
It's also times like this that I think of my grandmother we called her Nannie.
From her early thirties to the day she died she was racked with pain from crippling arthritis.
Yet I rarely heard her complain.
She was always cheerful, quick to smile, laugh and tell a joke.
I try to remember her courage as I deal with my own pain.
As I reflect on the nature of pain and how it affects one's outlook.
I realize that for every negative there's a positive.
Kind of like ying and yang.
Last night we had a small dinner birthday party for Peter my grandson.
My son and his wife were there with Peter and Anna Rose, my three year old grand daughter.
Also there was Katrina my daughter Amanda's little girl and John, Amanda's boy friend.
Now since injuring myself I find it hard to sit in a chair more than 5-10 minutes.
But last night I sat for an hour without any discomfort! I think two things were happening: 1.
I was distracted by all the excitement.
2.
I believe that endorphins are released when we experienced love, joy and laughter.
So I guess the lesson concentrate on things that bring us joy and to laugh more!