I am struggling today with a severe tmjd flare up. Tmjd is my chronic, currently incurable facial pain disorder. I have pain which is mild to moderate to unbearably severe and beyond.
There’s really no effective treatments other than home remedies. My current flare up is bad but not as bad as it sometimes is. It’s moderate bordering on severe. But not yet to the point when I would scream at the top of my lungs for hours through the night.
I woke up while it was still dark out in excruciating pain. So what better circumstance to write a gratitude list?!
I want to strengthen my habit of associating my pain with gratitude & joy. It hurts. So bad. So I will think of & list & dwell on all of my wonderful blessings.
1.) beautiful uplifting quotes
2.) I have friends & family & people I know.
3.) hope
4.) I have a job
5.) my beautiful senses & body & ability
6.) this blog
7.) this Fall – like evening
8.) Pumpkin Spice coffee
9.) lovely music
10.) adorable animals
11.) my positive attitude
12.) my ability to feel pain
13.) The fact that I am loving & ccompassionate for people whether I know them or not
14.) The fact that I filled out an application recently for job/training for peer specialist /counseling
15.) The stars & moon above me.
So here is my brief list. There’s so much more I couldn’t possibly list it all.
I’m too blessed to be able to list all my blessings. Lol. ;-D
I hope you, too, are feeling blessed. My heart goes out to all of you struggling with chronic pain and/or sickness. My heart breaks to think of it and how so many people have pain worse than and more frequent than mine. I wish I could take it away.
Much love & healing to you. May we find strength, hope, healing, & comfort in our pain & darkness.
Xox0 Kim
P.s. Always remember, “When you’re going through Hell, keep on going….”
A Dose of Inspiration 