Daily Question, August 24 How can I practice grateful living in the presence of pain? 23 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Journey11 months agoJourneyI've had severe back pain from Degenerative Disc Disease for over a year. And Eczema which causes itching and flare ups that I cant seem to get in control. Both these pains are a message that I need to change something within myself for my betterment. Someone in this group said recently that issues are a way of life aligning us towards what is best for us. I have to listen to the message and implement what actions it is telling me to take. I am grateful everyday for everything. This is nothing c...I’ve had severe back pain from Degenerative Disc Disease for over a year. And Eczema which causes itching and flare ups that I cant seem to get in control. Both these pains are a message that I need to change something within myself for my betterment. Someone in this group said recently that issues are a way of life aligning us towards what is best for us. I have to listen to the message and implement what actions it is telling me to take. I am grateful everyday for everything. This is nothing compared to severe physical, emotional or other other that many others have. When someone asks me how’s life, I always say “could be better, could be worse”. Life is relative and all changing. Gratitude can be a constant. Read More1 Reply Ian11 months agoIanI love this question. For the past year and change I have been dealing with a series of leg injuries that have really made it challenging to run at the level that I am used to running at. I have had to negotiate varying levels of pain that range from a dull constant ache to sharp pain due to a torn muscle. Throughout this past year, I have tried to make a habit of spending a solid chunk of my time running thanking God for all that I have to be thankful for. I have found myself thanking God for t...I love this question. For the past year and change I have been dealing with a series of leg injuries that have really made it challenging to run at the level that I am used to running at. I have had to negotiate varying levels of pain that range from a dull constant ache to sharp pain due to a torn muscle. Throughout this past year, I have tried to make a habit of spending a solid chunk of my time running thanking God for all that I have to be thankful for. I have found myself thanking God for the trails I run on, the leaves, the birds etc.. and I noticed my perspective shifting from frustration due to injury to that of joy. Being grateful while experiencing pain has been a beautiful practice that has helped soften my heart immensely. Read More4 Reply Antoinette11 months agoAntoinetteI can practice grateful living in the presence of pain by staying awake to where my mind is wandering. Am I talking to my self in a negative way? I can use the tools of the 3 questions to filter unwholesome thoughts and feelings. Ask: 1. Is what I’m thinking true? 2. Is it useful or necessary? 3. Is it rooted in peace love and truth. If the thought doesn’t make it through all the gateways then let it go. Thoughts like this pain is going to last forever would be an example. Thoughts...I can practice grateful living in the presence of pain by staying awake to where my mind is wandering. Am I talking to my self in a negative way? I can use the tools of the 3 questions to filter unwholesome thoughts and feelings. Ask: 1. Is what I’m thinking true? 2. Is it useful or necessary? 3. Is it rooted in peace love and truth. If the thought doesn’t make it through all the gateways then let it go. Thoughts like this pain is going to last forever would be an example. Thoughts and feelings are impermanent. Letting go is the key. Read More5 Reply Dusty Su11 months agoDusty SuYears ago in India, in what was formerly called a “Leper Colony”, two doctors conducted their morning rounds through the wards. Coming upon an elderly lady severely stricken by the disease, they found her singing loudly and cheerfully. “Aunty, your pain must be very good today, you are singing so beautifully!” one of the medics offered. She chuckled as she replied, “No doctor, my pain is so great that I must sing!” This story helps remind me that we don’t sing, laugh, offer gratitu...Years ago in India, in what was formerly called a “Leper Colony”, two doctors conducted their morning rounds through the wards. Coming upon an elderly lady severely stricken by the disease, they found her singing loudly and cheerfully. “Aunty, your pain must be very good today, you are singing so beautifully!” one of the medics offered. She chuckled as she replied, “No doctor, my pain is so great that I must sing!” This story helps remind me that we don’t sing, laugh, offer gratitude, get up and go for walks, journal, or even take compassionate rest only when we feel capable of doing so. But rather, when we do those things we begin to feel more able to face and transverse our pain. Read More7 Reply Antoinette11 months agoAntoinetteThank you for the story ! 3 Reply Dusty Su11 months agoDusty SuThank you Antoinette. I like stories, they seem to stick… 1 Reply Sheila11 months agoSheilaDusty Su, thank-you for sharing that story. It is beautiful and provides a great lesson! Blessings to you.🌻 2 Reply Dusty Su11 months agoDusty SuThank you Sheila, blessing to you too! 🌹👍 2 Reply pkr11 months agopkrHaving just read all 14 reflections to this question, I am so moved and in awe of all who answered. Beautiful and heartfelt. Blessings and Peace to All of you. Like so many have said, reminding myself how blessed, how lucky I am, how so many are worse off than me, has helped to alleviate my “ pain”. Having an attitude of gratitude daily helps tremendously. Some days easier than others. I am grateful for this sanctuary.❤️🙏 7 Reply Mica11 months agoMicaSometimes I remember pain that has gone away, and that helps me be grateful and hopeful in my oldish age now. Also, I work to remove the pain – are there inserts I can put in my shoes to help my feet? Or do I need new shoes? for example. 2 Reply Sarah11 months agoSarahPain is a complex phenomenon. Pain can be physical, spiritual or involve the mind. We will all have pain in this life. Depression, emotional pain, anxiety and feeling lost — these are the things that have caused me recent pain. It is the practice of gratitude that has helped to get me to a place where I feel healing is well underway. To practice grateful living in the presence of pain I came to gratefulness.org; and I answered the daily question, posted in the gratefulness log. Even on the day...Pain is a complex phenomenon. Pain can be physical, spiritual or involve the mind. We will all have pain in this life. Depression, emotional pain, anxiety and feeling lost — these are the things that have caused me recent pain. It is the practice of gratitude that has helped to get me to a place where I feel healing is well underway. To practice grateful living in the presence of pain I came to gratefulness.org; and I answered the daily question, posted in the gratefulness log. Even on the days I felt unable to function even suicidal, I was grateful for small things like a warm bed, food, a partner who loves me, beauty in my surroundings. I believe it is always possible to find something to be grateful for. Pain has a message for us, we need to listen. Read More8 Reply Rena Barker11 months agoRena BarkerWow, this is very tough questions. And I’m really in the midst of it right now. Applying many modalities to not to suck right into the roommate’s criticism (very very). I am feeling hurt and disgusted hearing a lot of time this person open the mouth. Doesn’t met my value of respect and care. But this living situation would not be over till October so I am trying to apply different perspectives and self-compassion and empathy. It’s very helpful for me to work on my internal turmoil. I...Wow, this is very tough questions. And I’m really in the midst of it right now. Applying many modalities to not to suck right into the roommate’s criticism (very very). I am feeling hurt and disgusted hearing a lot of time this person open the mouth. Doesn’t met my value of respect and care. But this living situation would not be over till October so I am trying to apply different perspectives and self-compassion and empathy. It’s very helpful for me to work on my internal turmoil. I am really fortunate to have the tools that I could use. Finding the peace within the chaos. Read More3 Reply Michele11 months agoMicheleI find it interesting that everyone who has shared is reflecting on physical pain. There is also psychological, emotional, and mental pain. The answer is the same – Practice being grateful everyday and know there are others who have it worse. I’m proud to be a Medical Lab Technician who works in the medical cannabis industry. I’m glad to be testing products that will be safe and effective in helping patients who count on them. Bright blessings everyone and have a peaceful relaxing weekend:) 5 Reply Carla11 months agoCarlaWhat I hear said by those who’ve written already is that this is a challenge, and I concur! I have to answer when asked, “how’s it going today?” with a non cynical response followed by engaging the other to share their goings on. I’ve needed to incorporate acupuncture & homeopathy into my health regiment as they provide more relief than western medicine. Utilizing a few closer friends to share what’s actually going on & asking for what I need, like a glass of water, has becom...What I hear said by those who’ve written already is that this is a challenge, and I concur! I have to answer when asked, “how’s it going today?” with a non cynical response followed by engaging the other to share their goings on. I’ve needed to incorporate acupuncture & homeopathy into my health regiment as they provide more relief than western medicine. Utilizing a few closer friends to share what’s actually going on & asking for what I need, like a glass of water, has become a form of intimacy with the other. While in a clinic Monday, I unexpectedly sat 2 chairs near a man resting with his prosthetic leg exposed & detached. My perspective changed immediately. Restful weekend to all🌻 Read More4 Reply GCharlotte11 months agoGCharlotteI may always remind myself that I am with God and he loves me. 2 Reply Samuel11 months agoSamuelAs Kevin has so aptly stated, for me it is the realization that I am so blessed when I look about me at others whose situations are so much worse than mine. My sciatica has recurred. It is painful and debilitating, but the worst part for me is that it severely limits what I can do for others as well as for myself. I feel useless at times. It is then that I am grateful that there are still many ways that I can be helpful to my church, my friends, etc. Just different ways, sometimes creative ways....As Kevin has so aptly stated, for me it is the realization that I am so blessed when I look about me at others whose situations are so much worse than mine. My sciatica has recurred. It is painful and debilitating, but the worst part for me is that it severely limits what I can do for others as well as for myself. I feel useless at times. It is then that I am grateful that there are still many ways that I can be helpful to my church, my friends, etc. Just different ways, sometimes creative ways. I believe I have said this here before, but it bears repeating. Long ago I saw something that I still remember to this day because it came to me during a much earlier disability: “I cried because I had no shoes… until I met a person who had no feet…” sb Read More5 Reply Anita11 months agoAnitaIt’s a challenge. I am currently in a journey that involves pain, confusion, and much more. Every day at the end of the day, I am writing down 3 things I am grateful for. I am also recording what I did for myself today to take care of me. When I connect with God and God whispers, I know that I am not alone. For this – I am truly grateful and know that all is well. Have a blessed day! 5 Reply Anneclaire11 months agoAnneclaireWelcome it, accept it, relax into it. Then the door is open. I am not trapped in my pain. All the beauty and goodness, grace, mercy and love can make its way to me in spite of what I am suffering. 7 Reply Sarah11 months agoSarahThank you for this question and the reflections. It’s most challenging for me when in pain to live in gratitude. This is a great reminder to capture the “ whoa is me “ thought and shift to more positive thoughts. As Kevin mentioned, there are always others worse off than me. I feel completely out of control when faced with medical issues. This is when I must remember that God is in control, not me. 3 Reply Kevin11 months agoKevinOh my, today’s question seemed tailor made for me! As I go about living my life and doing the things that I can while living with chronic back pain, I find it helpful to remind myself how fortunate I am to have good medical coverage that I can afford locally, and more specialists within an hour’s drive. I remind myself that while I am living with pain, I am still living, and I like that! 😊 Just when I think that I’ve had enough of this “back stuff,” and want to complain loudly, if o...Oh my, today’s question seemed tailor made for me! As I go about living my life and doing the things that I can while living with chronic back pain, I find it helpful to remind myself how fortunate I am to have good medical coverage that I can afford locally, and more specialists within an hour’s drive. I remind myself that while I am living with pain, I am still living, and I like that! 😊 Just when I think that I’ve had enough of this “back stuff,” and want to complain loudly, if only to myself, I walk into my pain management doc’s waiting room and see so many other folks, far worse than myself, who must rely on assistive devices or medical transport services to get through the door, it resets my head and my thinking right then and there. Read More11 Reply Mica11 months agoMicaThat’s a bummer, Kevin! I’m reminded of my dear brother: I read that old women had more mobility problems than old men, and he replied: “The men are dead! That’s a Mobility Problem!” Thankfully you and he are still alive! 2 Reply Anna11 months agoAnnafor me it is a work in progress and, to tell the truth, it is not easy. I consider this site a grace, so I am deeply grateful to Brother David, to the Gratefulness staff and to all those who participate. 4 Reply Korakas11 months agoKorakasVery difficult question that one can only answer for him- or herself but hardly for others. When I feel pain it helps me to pray and ask Jesus for help, I try to be thankful for the people who support me, that I‘m not alone. I‘m thankful for our good medicine system or when I can fall asleep. But it is a challenge for me to practice this while pain is around… 2 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. 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