I can't believe I did that!

This quote was posted on a friend's FB wall the other day.

"It's better to look back on life and say: 

'I can't believe I did that.'

than to look back and say:

'I wish I did that.'"

As I look back over the past 11, almost 12, years since my back injury I have to say that there have been MANY things to which I can say, "I can't believe I did that!" 

God has SHOWERED me

with the most AMAZING

blessing and experiences!

From a riding in the Good Year blimp (yes I did that!) to being in the Pit lane at a NASCAR Nationwide Race to..... are you ready for what God has planned for me next week???

God has provided the opportunity to BE ON THE PIT BOX during the NASCAR CUP RACE at Chicagoland Speedway! Yes, that's right. I'm so thankful to all the people who have worked to make this very special opportunity possible. But most importantly, I thank God for His amazing blessing.
 

"I can't believe I did that!"... and the only way I can do those amazing things... is because of God's blessings He sends my way.

I’m thanking You, God, out loud in the streets,
    singing Your praises in town and country.
The deeper Your love, the higher it goes;
    every cloud is a flag to Your faithfulness.

 Psalm 57:9, 10  The Message 

Creating a positive day isn't about what I have planned but rather enjoying all the amazing, wonderful blessings God sends my way, and giving Him the praise and thanks for those blessings.

What I'm I celebrating?

Some people think I’m strange to “celebrate” the anniversary of my back injury each October. But that’s just it—I’m not celebrating the injury...rather all the wonderful blessings that I have experienced because of my injury.

We celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, holidays, and so many other personal holidays, why not set aside one day a year to celebrate the blessings that God gives us?

I picked the anniversary of my back injury, simply because living with chronic pain has taught me just how much God cares for me. Yes, He cared for me before my injury.... I just didn’t take notice of all He did—like I should have. Now, I enjoy watching God’s creativity at work. He continually amazes me with how He meets my needs and even some wants.

Will you join me in celebrating the blessings

in your life? 

Pick a day and celebrate any way you want—it’s actually quite fun!

It's only ONE aspect of my life!

In October 2000, I injured my back. 7 back surgeries have left me with "failed back surgery syndrome"; a name doctors created when there was nothing more than can do. Due to nerve and muscle damage in my back and left leg, I use crutches. My friends have learned we eat at restaurants with high tables so I can stand (sitting is very painful after just 10 or 15 minutes).
The other day a friend took me out to run some errands. We stopped to enjoyed lunch. During our conversation, my friend said something that stuck with me. "Pain in only one aspect of you. There is more to you and our friendship besides your pain. Yes, it's there, and I'm aware of it, but we don't focus on it."
I am more than "just my pain". When I think about that phrase I realize how true it is. Yes, my day and what I do is determined by my pain, but the pain is not all of me. There are many aspects of my life that my pain doesn't need to impact. I can still care about someone. I can still encourage someone. I can be creative. I can carry on conversations about any topic that I find interesting. I can still learn. The list continues.
I am more than just my pain. There is more to me. Yet, it is up to me if I allow other so see more than just pain. That doesn't mean I do things I can't. It simply means that I don't make my pain the most important aspect of my life. I have a choice.
I don't want people to know only my pain. I want them to know about me, the person. I want them to know that my favorite color is green. I enjoy drinks with a lot of ice. I love snowcones anytime I can get one! I want them to know about Max and all the funny things he does. I want them to know I enjoy laughing and a good mystery.
Pain is only one aspect of me!

Creating a positive day is remembering that pain is only one aspect of my life. If I focus only on my pain, I rob myself of the joys and blessings God provides.