Coping
Giving Thanks
"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul." – Rabbi Harold Kushner in the essay "God's Fingerprints on the Soul," in Handbook for the Soul.
Often times we become overwhelmed by chronic pain and the problems associated with this disease. During these times, one of the most difficult things to do is to change our focus from what we've lost to the good things we still have in our lives. As hard as it may seem, it is possible to uncover what we're grateful for and find little ways to give thanks and give back to others who have touched our lives.
So many of you have been incredibly generous to the National Pain Foundation this year, and we're truly grateful for your help and support in furthering our mission. The NPF sincerely thanks those individuals who have donated and appreciates the many contributions of money, time, stories, ideas, and feedback you've given us. We know there are many worthy causes with which you can share your resources during this giving season. We hope you'll consider supporting the National Pain Foundation. Every gift – regardless of the amount – helps us educate and support people in pain. Please consider honoring a doctor, caregiver, or other loved one this season through an honor gift.
It may not seem like it, but there are many ways to give to others. Following are just a few ways to help others living with chronic pain:
It certainly is difficult to look beyond pain and find blessings in our lives, and at times pain overrides all else. Looking beyond pain, however, can be achieved through some introspection. Some people keep a "gratitude journal" as a way of reminding them of the blessings they have even in the midst of pain. Others take a few minutes everyday to thank the people in their lives by doing little things they still can do. During this season of giving, try keeping a gratitude journal of your own, or even just start a list of the things for which you are thankful. Think about the times you've been grateful for something someone has done for you or when someone is grateful for something you've done or said. It's almost impossible to think about these things without feeling uplifted and strengthened.
Start by writing down some of your favorite "little" things. You may not think in terms of gratitude when you think about some of the little things you enjoy, but being grateful for small things is important. We often take the little pleasures of life for granted – being grateful for a beautiful fall day full of colorful leaves, the perfect cup of coffee, a favorite song, or seeing a baby smile may seem silly, but what would life be like without these things? Gratitude for the things you still have can help you make your way through hard times and lessen the pain of losing other aspects of your life.
One of the big things to be grateful for is one of the things we most often take for granted – the people in our lives. It may be difficult to appreciate our family and friends in the midst of our pain – they may not say or do the right things, they may not be sympathetic enough, they may be too sympathetic, and they may disappoint you – but they love you and they try. When was the last time you let an important person in your life know how much you appreciate what he or she does for you? Show your gratitude in simple ways – kind words, notes of appreciation, or hugs and kisses help others feel better about themselves and, in turn, help you feel better about yourself. Don't forget about caregivers – our physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists and others on our health care teams need our thanks and kind words too. They too get discouraged and frustrated by chronic pain, especially because they are trying to help. Whether a caregiver or loved one, it helps to know that you are appreciated in your efforts and intentions.
This time of year is the perfect opportunity to share your gratitude with loved ones. As you sit together, remember those you love and reflect on one aspect about the person for which you are grateful. What has he or she taught you? What has he or she done for you? Who were the people involved in the best day of your life? Do they know they touched your life? Try to take the time this season to give back to others who have helped you along life's journey.
When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Twentieth Anniversary Edition with a New Preface by the Author by Harold S. Kushner
Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life by M. J. Ryan
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul – Stories of Triumphing Over Life's Obstacles by Jack Canfield (Editor), Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara
Often times we become overwhelmed by chronic pain and the problems associated with this disease. During these times, one of the most difficult things to do is to change our focus from what we've lost to the good things we still have in our lives. As hard as it may seem, it is possible to uncover what we're grateful for and find little ways to give thanks and give back to others who have touched our lives.
The Giving Season
So many of you have been incredibly generous to the National Pain Foundation this year, and we're truly grateful for your help and support in furthering our mission. The NPF sincerely thanks those individuals who have donated and appreciates the many contributions of money, time, stories, ideas, and feedback you've given us. We know there are many worthy causes with which you can share your resources during this giving season. We hope you'll consider supporting the National Pain Foundation. Every gift – regardless of the amount – helps us educate and support people in pain. Please consider honoring a doctor, caregiver, or other loved one this season through an honor gift.
Ways You Can Help
It may not seem like it, but there are many ways to give to others. Following are just a few ways to help others living with chronic pain:
- Contribute to the National Pain Foundation
- Share your story or provide other content materials
- Let the NPF know how it has helped you
- Help other NPF members by participating in Community section
Trying to Look Beyond the Pain
It certainly is difficult to look beyond pain and find blessings in our lives, and at times pain overrides all else. Looking beyond pain, however, can be achieved through some introspection. Some people keep a "gratitude journal" as a way of reminding them of the blessings they have even in the midst of pain. Others take a few minutes everyday to thank the people in their lives by doing little things they still can do. During this season of giving, try keeping a gratitude journal of your own, or even just start a list of the things for which you are thankful. Think about the times you've been grateful for something someone has done for you or when someone is grateful for something you've done or said. It's almost impossible to think about these things without feeling uplifted and strengthened.
A Few of Your Favorite Things...
Start by writing down some of your favorite "little" things. You may not think in terms of gratitude when you think about some of the little things you enjoy, but being grateful for small things is important. We often take the little pleasures of life for granted – being grateful for a beautiful fall day full of colorful leaves, the perfect cup of coffee, a favorite song, or seeing a baby smile may seem silly, but what would life be like without these things? Gratitude for the things you still have can help you make your way through hard times and lessen the pain of losing other aspects of your life.
One of the big things to be grateful for is one of the things we most often take for granted – the people in our lives. It may be difficult to appreciate our family and friends in the midst of our pain – they may not say or do the right things, they may not be sympathetic enough, they may be too sympathetic, and they may disappoint you – but they love you and they try. When was the last time you let an important person in your life know how much you appreciate what he or she does for you? Show your gratitude in simple ways – kind words, notes of appreciation, or hugs and kisses help others feel better about themselves and, in turn, help you feel better about yourself. Don't forget about caregivers – our physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, psychologists and others on our health care teams need our thanks and kind words too. They too get discouraged and frustrated by chronic pain, especially because they are trying to help. Whether a caregiver or loved one, it helps to know that you are appreciated in your efforts and intentions.
Sharing Your Gratitude
This time of year is the perfect opportunity to share your gratitude with loved ones. As you sit together, remember those you love and reflect on one aspect about the person for which you are grateful. What has he or she taught you? What has he or she done for you? Who were the people involved in the best day of your life? Do they know they touched your life? Try to take the time this season to give back to others who have helped you along life's journey.
Suggested Readings
When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Twentieth Anniversary Edition with a New Preface by the Author by Harold S. Kushner
Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life by M. J. Ryan
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy by Sarah Ban Breathnach
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom
Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul – Stories of Triumphing Over Life's Obstacles by Jack Canfield (Editor), Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara