Tag: Pain management

IF IT’S NOT OKAY, IT’S NOT THE END

Here is an important idea to remember. Things will be okay. This can be hard to accept or believe when we are facing difficult times. There are a million challenges that come to mind that can really try our resolve. Can you think of ones in your past that fit this description? For me, there are several that come to mind. My open-heart surgery and following trip to the hospital. People we care deeply for passing away. Car accidents, job losses. We have all had our share of very serious challenges, have we not?

Here is something to consider, you are reading this. Whatever challenge tried, and may have succeeded, in knocking you down, you are still here. Your record for facing challenges and to keep moving forward is 100%. We all have scars, we may have some pain, be it physical or emotional, that we carry with us, but we are here. That pain, and those challenges, often allow us to better relate to and comfort others going through something similar. It can give us a good story to share with and help inspire others. It can give us motivation that we have overcome a challenge. Eventually, and it may take a good amount of time, everything will be okay. Know that. Trust in that.

DENTAL PAIN AND THE CLARITY OF PAIN PILLS…

How many of us can remember our last toothache? Well it seems you just can’t focus on anything else.  I remember being at my dentist having a bridge put in.  In is not only a rather uncomfortable experience, but I think by the time we were done my wallet was hurting.  What was odd, and what I took away from that experience was a very valuable lesson.  In the middle of some drilling, grinding and I think maybe a pick axe was involved somewhere the dentist keen eye of observation picked up on the fact I was less than comfortable.  He said “can I ask you one question?”. Personally I was hoping it was something about sedation dentistry or laughing gas, but he simply asked me, “How does your leg feel?”.  I managed to change my expression from contorted pain to a slight ‘are you out of your mind’ type look.  He went on to ask me specifics “it’s not numb is it?” “good elevation for you leg?” I started to worry if maybe he hit the laughing gas before we started.  Every few moments this process was repeated.  After the procedure he explained to me that it helps take the patients focus of the ‘discomfort’ they are feeling in their tooth and he tries to get them to really focus on other things.  As the pain pills started to kick in I began to formulate some brilliant ideas.  Some were interesting things you could do with rum, but I’ll save those for if you come visit me at the bar.  No the whole concept of focus and the power it can have came into a crystal clear euphoria.  How many of us have been in a disagreement with someone close to us?  Ok, I think that pretty much covers everyone.  Even if you think the world of the person you are in the disagreement with, all you can think about is what they have done to upset you.  How about suddenly trying to recall the last thing they did that made you very happy.  Would that change the course of the discussion? When we are in a disagreement with people it can be borderline impossible to remember all the fun we may have shared.  Has this every happened to you, you have a disagreement with your husband or wife.  Suddenly you notice every thing they do seems to annoy you to know end?  It all has to do with the state we are in.  When we are thinking or stewing on some difference of opinion, we seem to notice every little thing that bothers us about that person.  So how to change this.  I would start by thinking of the people you are most likely to get in a heated discussion with. Usually, ironically these tend to be those closest to us.  Start by composing a list, either mental, or written.  I suggest written because when you are in the middle of an argument it can be hard to get off that track.  You might even just randomly mention to them how much you appreciate those things. Then when discord pops up, you have a list to refer to in order to change your state.  Having that opposition helps you better maintain a rational mindset in the face of anger or sadness.  In the next blog we will examine how to apply this technique to other areas of your life.

ADD MORE PAIN…

Ok, I know what must be going through your head. “Isn’t the point of an amazing life to reduce the pain and increase the pleasure?” Normally I would agree, however we are talking about using pain to your advantage.  That is one of the tricks of living a more productive and positive life.  We can’t always control every situation in our life, but we can use it to our advantage.  Let me give you an example.  Just a few days ago I learned my current position at the post office will end in the first week of September.  Now in the past my reaction would have ranged from anger to frustration and even a little worry and sadness.  Well my reaction this time surprised even me.  When the lady informed me of this situation I greeted it at first with a sense of indifference.  I was just collecting information and not taking it personally. Then I thought to myself “ok, I have no control over this situation so what can I find that is good in it?”  All this happened in my head without any conscious effort on my part.  Ok, so I must confess the next thought was “Holy s#$t this stuff I am preaching works!”  Which gave me one good point there.  It provided me with proof in my own beliefs.

What about the pain?  Great question.  Obviously no body likes to feel bad, be it anger, sadness, fear or any negative emotion.  In this case I looked at the situation and had to realize in the next two and a half months my future is very uncertain.  So what to do with those feelings of uncertainty.  Surely that is not something you would want to feel in an amazing life.  Hold on, not so fast.  In this case I realized perhaps this uncertainty was just a reminder to finish my book I have been falling behind on.  Perhaps there is someone out there who could really use it and without the motivation of losing my position I would have not completed it on time?  Pain of any nature is a warning symbol.  When we touch something hot the pain tells us to move away so we don’t become further injured.  The point here is to ask yourself “what is this painful experience trying to tell me and how can I use that to my advantage” This may sound a bit far-fetched for some of you, but trust me it works.  What does the anger and hurt you feel after arguing with someone you care about tell you? First it tells you that you do care or it wouldn’t hurt so bad.  Also there was some hurt that developed between you two and you have to learn what it is and how to prevent it in the future. It also presents you with a chance to increase your connection with this person by how you address and solve this problem. How about the sadness of the loss of a loved one?  In 2010 I had unfortunately had to attend 5 funerals. Four of which were for people under the age of 40.  What good can you possibly take away from situations like that?  How about the fact that you should let people know you love them while they are here.  That you really can question yourself on what is worth being upset about and what legacy you want to leave behind before it is too late.  It has been said that in the pain of every failure lies the seed to our greatest opportunity.  So next time a painful situation arises in your life, or if you are in the middle of one right now.  Ask yourself these two important questions. What is this pain trying to tell me and how can I make it work for me?  Have an amazing day filled with passion my friends!!!