It certainly is difficult to look beyond pain and find the blessings that we have in our lives. Especially in times of being overwhelmed by chronic pain and the problems associated with this disease. Because when we’re in pain, we tend to feel sorry for ourselves, and focus on the pain in a self-pitying way, which of course, makes it far worse. 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.
If we can shift to feeling grateful for the pain, we open ourselves to the lessons that the experience has for us. So here are some reasons to feel gratitude for pain:
- Pain is a great teacher. Life is so intoxicating, that we often miss the lesson life is giving us. But pain gets our attention like nothing else can.
- Pain lets you know you’re alive. There is only a brief period in the life of the soul where we get to experience pain. Before we come to earth, there is no pain, nor is their pain after we die. Pain is the privilege of living on the earth, the price of admission for the manifestation of your being in all its glory.
- Pain teaches you to be grateful for the little things. I’ve discovered that being thankful for pain is such a hard concept to grasp because many of us live in a country which has convinced us that the pursuit of happiness and comfort is our “inalienable right.” Therefore, when our comforts, conveniences, and cushions are threatened, we cry “foul.” This has deeply affected our understanding of what it means to give thanks and the types of things we are to be thankful for.
- Pain can teach you that you are in control of your experience. If you anticipate and fear the pain, you make it worse. If you tell yourself the pain is beneath you, it gets better. If you tell yourself the pain is merely strong sensation, it becomes so.
- Pain lets you know where your wounds are. All of us have sensitive hearts, whether we are aware of it or not. We may try to cover it up or protect ourselves, but our hearts feel pain and receive wounds. These wounds bring us pain, and its an opportunity to create healing.
- Pain teaches you the value of sacrifice. Giving up something that is dear to you because of something else that is more important is one of the greatest of human qualities, and the key to accomplishment, friendship, and love. Sacrifice and pain are bound together; without pain, sacrifice would have no meaning.
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.
What pain are you grateful for today? And what pain do you struggle with?
