Thanksgiving Reminds Us to Practice Gratitude

November 2006
by Rebecca Rengo-Kocher
http://www.beyondchronicpain.com

The weather is getting cooler and fall is here. Many of us look forward to Thanksgiving as a time to be with family and friends. If you have chronic pain, this can be a time of mixed feelings. Yes, you want to have everyone over for a big dinner, but what will that do to you? It's not worth crashing afterwards; you need to pace yourself to go through all of the holidays. Rather than make a big dinner have a potluck. Nowadays it's very common to buy a pre-cooked dinner with all the fixings or just the sides that you want. Some are pricey and some aren't. If someone invites you over for dinner, accept. Do not feel guilty that you're not cooking. Focus on what you can do and enjoy. It could be watching the fall colors or talking to children about what they want for the holidays. Practice gratitude with people you love and people you don't know. When you show appreciation it's very uplifting for you and the other person. Begin this holiday season with your priorities in mind so you can enforce them when decisions need to be made. Pace yourself even if it means limiting activities. You'll be better overall. Do not feel deprived with what you can't do, appreciate what you are experiencing. For everything you are not doing you are able to experience something different. Sometimes it's a blessing you would have never noticed if you were rushing around. Be grateful to slow down.

© 2006 Rebecca Rengo-Kocher. All rights reserved.
Please forward this newsletter to anyone who can benefit from these ideas. A life with chronic pain can be lived well and enjoyed