Equipment

The proper equipment, when working, makes our life easier, comfortable, and convenient.  Broken or the wrong equipment causes pain, discomfort, and frustration. Having the right equipment in working condition enables us to accomplish our goals and dreams. Yet, when that equipment breaks, it slows us down and can even sideline us. 

Being well equipped isn't just about having the right tools. It's also about having the right mindset. If we're well-equipped, we can handle both "good things" and "bad things" in ways which will strengthen us and enable us to grow.  When things are going along smoothly, we don't think much about the equipment we use, and in turn we don't think much about our mindset or much of anything. When a piece of equipment breaks, our world is turned upside down. 

Don't wait for equipment failure before you create a healthy body, soul, and spirit. Work on making sure your mindset, spirit, and body are healthy so that when there is equipment failure, you are prepared. When are you are prepared, equipment failure takes on a more positive tone. You can see areas that need attention so that you can grow. During the 'down' time, you can re-energize and be rejuvenated as things return to normal. 

I talk about creating a positive day and have written how God has use equipment failures to teach me more about Him and myself. The more I create a positive day on the 'good days' I find it easier to continue to create a positive day on those days that aren't as 'good'.  It's a choice to focus on the positive and respond with a positive mindset.

________________________

Regarding Equipment Failure: Bruce Johnson is running across America to raise money for the Community Crisis Center. He's experienced some major equipment failure—his shoes. Not only have Bruce's shoes caused considerable pain, they have sidelined Bruce a few times during his run.  While Bruce continues to work through his equipment failure, why not encourage him and make a donation! (To learn more about Bruce's journey or to donate, go to: UnitedStatesRun.com.)

Can you spare two cups of coffee?

During these tough times, the bills seem to be more than the income. However, if we look, and often not very hard, we can see areas where we can find a little extra money for a good cause. We find money for what is important to us.

In my last post, I mentioned Bruce, who is running across America to raise awareness for the Community Crisis Center, located in Elgin, Illinois. The Center was founded in 1975 by a group of dedicated volunteers to help those in crisis due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or economic circumstances.

6,275 individuals, including 593 children, received services in FY 2008. Our staff worked with 1,539 victims of domestic violence and 372 child witnesses to domestic violence. We provided 11,325 nights of emergency shelter to 308 women and 295 children.

Step by Step,
Foot by Foot
Take a step with Bruce...

Donate $12

Bruce is literally donating his feet (and entire self) to this cause. This makes his feet key to the movement. So we thought, what if you could buy every step Bruce takes? There are 12 inches in a foot, thus the idea was born. With every step, Bruce runs to make sure there's always a safe place to go. He runs so that his past helps create a better future for others. 12 inches × 5,280 feet × 3,000 miles = endless possibilities!

To donate, click on this link!

It's very easy to do,

and will help many people.

http://www.crisiscenter.org/run/#Donate.

You can create a positive day simply by giving up just 2 cups of coffee this week. Often we look at our circumstances and say we can't do anything. To create a positive day, sometimes means a small sacrifice on our part. In this case, only $12.
To all of you who took that time to click on the link and donate, THANK YOU! Please share this great cause with your friends. Let's encourage Bruce and all the staff and volunteers at the Crisis Center!

Comparison

Yesterday, I was talking with my chiropractor, Dr. Moore.

We were discussing Bruce Johnson,

 a gentleman running

across America to raise awareness and money

for Community Crisis
Center, Elgin, IL (http://www.unitedstatesrun.com/).

He is running about a marathon a day to accomplish his goal. He's had a few injuries recently, yet he continues to run in spite of the pain.

There are many people who can continue to do amazing things no matter the pain. How do these people accomplish that? There are days where my pain is so intense that I can't do much more than get dressed and make to the sofa. When I compare what I can do with other others do it's frustrating. Why can't I ignore my pain and do......whatever?

But then I stop. Comparison isn't always a good thing. Pain is very personal. Each person is able to handle pain differently. I've learned how to function well with a constant headache; however, some can't lift their heads off a pillow when they have a headache. We don't know how each other feels or what they are feeling. We only know what we experience and what our bodies can tolerate.

Some days I do push myself beyond my limit. But for me, that still backfires, has I end up on the sofa for several days until the pain level lowers to a functional level. But if I don't push myself from time to time, I won't know what I can do or handle. Yet, I can't compare my life with someone else. That's not fair to me or them. I do need to continue doing what I can each day to continue building stamina and tolerance to the pain. I need to work at listening to my body and realize when I'm reaching my limit and when I can push for more.

When I look back to the beginning of my pain journey, I can see the progress I've made. I've learned much about chronic pain and how the body works. I now can tolerate more pain than 9 years ago. And I've learned many techniques to handle chronic pain. Learning to live with pain is a journey. And a great deal of tolerating pain is mental. The mind is powerful and controls much of our health, however, we don't use the power of the mind like we should.

I look at others, like Bruce, who continue with their journeys in spite of the pain and applaud them! For me, I need to work with in my abilities and work toward my goals the way my body and mind allow me. I won't compare my progress to theirs, but their stories and lives will be inspirations to what the body can withstand.

Will I ever run a marathon? Probably not. Even before my injury, I was not a runner. But I do know that if I continue to work on my goals, I'll be closer to them, each year—that is one comparison worth making!

Creating a positive day is a personal achievement. Each day, it takes all my mental, physical, and spiritual abilities to create a day that is positive in all areas of my life. And all that energy spent, is well worth the effort. 

You can also follow Bruce on FaceBook:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/United-States-Run/143331158263?ref=nf.