Happiness

[Alastair]

PainSupport eNewsletter



Happiness - Now!

We often tell ourselves that life will be better on another day...

- when the course of pills has been finished
- when we've seen the doctor
- when we've seen a therapist
- when we've had an operation or treatment
- when we've got through this pain 'flare-up'
- and then we say we'll be really satisfied with our lives and happy when we go on holiday...
- then we say we'll be happy when we meet someone who understands our pain...
- we even tell ourselves we can't possibly be happy until our pain has gone...

The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now - pain and all.

If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges and change. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

Happiness is a way of life.
So treasure every moment that you have -
And, stop waiting -

- until the course of tablets has been finished...
- until you meet the person who understands...
- until you've seen the doctor or consultant
- until you've had your operation...
- until tomorrow...
- until your pain has gone... etc. etc.

for there is no better time to be happy than now!

Just because you have pain in your life doesn't mean that you can't be happy. Remember the words from above:
"Your life will always be filled with challenges and change. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway."

Yes, "decide to be happy" ! Happiness is not only a spontaneous feeling. You can decide to foster happiness in your life. It is a skill that you can develop like any other skill.

You can bring happiness into your life in the following ways:

- by thinking positively (by concentrating on what you CAN do, not what you can't do)
- joining a group of some kind for fun, support and friendship (it can be on-line if you can't go out - for example, join the PainSupport Contact Club)
- exercising
- meditation, relaxation, visualisation
- having a hobby or interest in which you can get totally involved
- and by doing something for others
- giving yourself treats now and then
- setting goals
- caring for a pet

Some of these things may seem inconsequential or of no great importance, but they DO add up to a happy way of life.

All these activities also encourage the production of endorphins (endorphins are your body's own natural painkillers). Endorphins are produced when you are in a calm and relaxed state with a positive attitude of mind and focused on something other than your pain.

Why not make time every day for a new input into some of the above activities? And why not start today!

Enjoy your life - and SMILE! (more endorphins for you every time you smile!)


TOOL KIT - If you liked this idea why not keep it in your Tool Kit notebook or folder of self-help pain relief methods. If you haven't started one yet, why not keep a special notebook or folder as your Tool Kit to remind you of techniques and skills for coping with pain. Your Tool Kit is especially useful when pain flares up. It will give you constructive ideas to focus upon.


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WORDS OF WISDOM
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'The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up'

- Mark Twain

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AND FINALLY...
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Q: Why is 6 afraid of 7?

A: Because 7 8 9.


Keep smiling!

I hope you find the above ideas useful. If you would like more information on any of the items above plus more ideas for pain relief, please go to the website below or contact me for details of my relaxation download, CDs, tapes and books which contains many more methods for relaxation, pain and stress relief.

Jan at PainSupport
www.painsupport.co.uk

[Nairek]

Alastair,

Thank you for posting this. I know I for one have been down that "unhappy" road. Sometimes it's tough to try & be happy when we are in pain. I know I have had trouble & still do some days trying to be happy.

No matter how bad of a day that I'm having, I always do what I can to think positive. I've been a pretty happy camper since last August when I married my soul mate. I feel bad that I have to depend on him so much sometimes to do things for me yet, he knew from the beginning how it was going to be & it didn't scare him away.

My motto for the past 11 years has been: Ya just gotta pick yourself up, dust yourself off, & keep on going. Never let anyone or anything hold you back. Life your life and be happy.