Don't Let Pain Keep You Down

   I am so excited that my book, The Tortoise Effect, is helping so many people that are dealing with chronic pain, whether it is emotional, physical or spiritual! Pain is pain! Everyone deals with it differently.  So many people have reached out to me to thank me for telling my story. It has truly helped them. For this, I am forever grateful. I am thankful that by me going through my pain, it has helped so many people already. And, my book was only released February 16th.
    The definition of chronic is: persisting for a long time or constantly recurring. I had never labeled myself as having "chronic" pain; but, since writing the book, I realized that was what I had. As i was growing up, I just dealt with the physical pain as much as I could. I knew I couldn't walk for long walks. I couldn't sit down for hours without getting stiff. I had to always be up and down. It's a wonder I could practice piano for long periods of time like I had to do in college. I just thought the pain was normal. Thank goodness that I liked to stretch. It's the best thing I can do for my body.
   One of my podiatrists said with his education and his experience in his field there is no way that I should be able to do what I do. He stated that my body had compensated so much that it can do things that medically I shouldn't be able to do. I just made up my mind to do things whether I had pain or not. Pain was not going to dictate what I could do or not do in life. I found ways to do things. I kept moving, pressing forward. I was trying new things to see if I enjoyed it
   It's important for you to keep going. Keep moving forward. Don't let pain limit you. Don't let pain define you. You CAN do anything. Sometimes we have to adjust our mindset so that we can move forward. Don't let life pass you by. Don't be a spectator. Be a participant. Dream Big. Keep moving.