Friday Inspiration: Overcoming Back Pain, and Other Obstacles

Folks, for the past several weeks, I have been saying very little about what’s been going on with me and my health.

Why? Well, as you know, I am not able-bodied. But I can do many things, and I don’t want anyone to dwell on my disabilities. I’d rather talk about my abilities instead.

There are many people in this world worse off than I am. I can walk, albeit with a cane, and I can type, even though sometimes I have pain due to carpal tunnel syndrome.

I would rather overcome my obstacles than give in to them. However, sometimes I have to take time out for myself to rest and recuperate.

Or, in this case, to do back therapy, as my lower back is so inflamed, I can barely walk or move around.

Of course I’ve been taking more medicine, including the hated seven-day course of prednisone. to try to get my muscles to relax. I’ve also been doing the stretches prescribed by the physical therapists, and will be in physical therapy for another four or five weeks.

Why am I telling you all this? Because maybe someone out there needs to hear that you don’t have to give in to pain. You have to recognize it, and deal with it, but you don’t have to give in to it.

There’s something you hear a lot from professional athletes, who in the main deal with injuries far more than the general public. They say that when you’re recovering, you have to “stay within yourself.”

I’m not particularly good at this, but I’m learning.

If I stay within myself, I can get everything done that I need to do. That includes writing, editing, practicing for next week’s concert with the Racine Concert Band out at Park High School…all of that.

Yes, I’m going to pay in pain. But I can get it done.

So, for the moment, how I overcome obstacles is to pace myself. Do the stretches, and try to get my back to loosen up a little. Take more breaks. Eat well, and try to rest (which isn’t always easy with back pain, but I’m doing what I can). Use a heating pad, or take a long, hot shower a few times a day.

Whatever works.

And try to give myself a break, too. Because sometimes, being good to yourself is the hardest thing — especially when you want to be doing so much more than you are.

Still. For this week’s inspirational thought, I leave you with this:

Don’t let your obstacles overwhelm you. Find a way to circumvent them as much as possible. And live your life as best you can.

That is the winning strategy.