Wow, this sucks!

This is the first thing that comes to mind today. It’s 6:45 pm on a Saturday evening and I have spent the last 3 weeks in what I would describe as chronic pain unless I’m horizontal – yep, pretty much flat on my back.

A Battle with Chronic Pain

I have back issues. Without giving you all the details of 24 years of back challenges, let’s just say that it can be debilitating at times. One of those times is NOW, and it’s lasted for way longer than any other time in my life.

The last 3 weeks have consisted of physical therapy, 2 steroid injections, lots of doctors’ visits, lots of medicine, even more texts to doctors, visits to Walgreens, purchasing an extra heating pad, canceling trips, canceling lunches, canceling calls, and lots of tears (for a start).

Keeping Pain Private

I’ve been keeping this pain and the issue I'm going through relatively private.

My husband and I have had our fair share of health challenges over the years, and this just doesn't seem newsworthy. Or maybe that’s just me.

If I’m being honest with myself and others, it’s also about pride. (I don’t even want to type that.)

If I ask for help and share my health issues on social media, what will my coaching clients think of me?

Will they think a weakness of health translates to a weakness in coaching?

Will they cancel sessions?

Will they choose another coach?

Will they hesitate to reach out to me?

Will people view my family negatively because health issues seem to be a constant?

And on and on and on!

This is the rabbit hole my mind plunges into within seconds. I’m not sure if you’ve been there or not, but I’m raising my hand to say that this isn’t a first for me.

The Optimist’s Struggle

As I’ve shared before, I’m an irrational optimist. Even though optimism is in my blood, it doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to have off days, or even bad days. Honestly, dealing with challenges is part of human existence. When you add being a business owner to the mix, your list of challenges doubles, perhaps even triples.

So, here we are. What do I do?

What do YOU do when you are in a situation that you don’t want to be in, maybe of your own making? What do we do when we don’t have anywhere to turn? How do you face the biggest challenge you’ve ever encountered?

The Power of Gratitude

The answer is to practice gratitude.

It seems counterintuitive, I know.

What does practicing gratitude look like when you’ve had 3 weeks of debilitating chronic pain, and your only relief is lying down?

You list out the things that you are grateful for.

It’s not hard really - once it becomes a habit.

Here we go:

• I’m thankful I haven’t lived this way my entire life; some people deal with chronic pain for way too long.
• I’m thankful that my husband started a 6 week sabbatical 4 weeks ago – and he has been waiting on me hand and foot like a queen.
• I’m thankful that this new health issue presented itself after a 2 week trip to Europe.
• I’m thankful that my air conditioning in my home works well.
• I’m thankful that my couch is comfy.
• I’m thankful that I have tons of windows in my house, so I can see outside during the day.
• I’m thankful that my kids and their kids were able to visit for 6 days before my symptoms got bad enough to cause me to cancel things.
• I’m thankful that I enjoy listening to podcasts.
• I’m thankful for insurance.
• I’m thankful for amazing doctors that make house calls and text me daily to check in.
• I’m thankful that someone got engaged on our property tonight and I felt good enough to stand on the front porch and watch for 5 minutes. (we live on 15 acres that we rent out to the public for photography)
• I’m thankful that I’ve had more time to visit with friends and family since I barely leave the house.
• I’m thankful that we can afford takeout every night.
• I’m thankful that I have a surgery consult scheduled, as it has been suggested that’s what it would take to fix my issue.
• I’m thankful to have hope.

And the list goes on and on!

Finding Relief and Resilience Through Gratitude

I feel much better!

This strategy that I used for my own personal issue with you while writing this blog is not a new strategy. Practicing gratitude is a habit that most business owners need to have in their back pocket.

If this is not currently a tool in your business tool belt, it’s time to put it there.

Practicing gratitude can have numerous positive effects on your well-being and mindset. Here are five ways to cultivate gratitude in your daily life, both personally and professionally:

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal: Set aside a few minutes each day to write down things you are grateful for. This could be anything, big or small, that brought joy, comfort, or positivity to your life. Reflect on the positive aspects of your day, such as the support of loved ones, a beautiful sunset, a kind gesture from a stranger, or even the opportunity to learn and grow from challenges.
2. Express Appreciation to Others: Take the time to thank people who have made a difference in your life. This can be done through a heartfelt thank-you note, a text message, or simply by telling them in person how much you appreciate them. Expressing gratitude not only brightens their day but also strengthens your bond with them.
3. Practice Mindful Gratitude: During moments of stress or anxiety, pause and focus on what you are grateful for in that situation. Shift your mindset from what's going wrong to what's going right. By consciously acknowledging the positive aspects, you can reduce negative emotions and improve your overall outlook.
4. Volunteer or Give Back: Engaging in acts of kindness and service to others can deepen your sense of gratitude. Volunteer your time and skills to help those in need or contribute to a cause you care about. Giving back can remind you of the privileges you have and the impact you can make on the lives of others.
5. Gratitude Partner or Group: Find a gratitude partner or join a gratitude group where you can share what you're grateful for. Incorporate gratitude into meetings with colleagues, perhaps to kick the meetings off! Creating an environment like this fosters mutual support and encouragement.

Remember that gratitude is a personal practice, and what works for one person may not work for another. Explore different approaches and find what resonates best with you.

The key is to make gratitude a regular part of your life and let it enrich your perspective and well-being.

I promise, it works! I feel better already!

Shine Lesson Learned – Practice gratitude.

Blessings upon blessings, Shannon