| Often when we are sidelined with pain and illness, we | | | | accomplish the dream without increasing your pain? |
| stop dreaming – about who we want to | | | | Example I used to love hiking, until my health |
| become, what we want to do, things we want to | | | | problems turned any attempt at a hike into a painful |
| experience, how we want to impact the world. This | | | | nightmare. So I reinvented that dream – |
| often leads to a profound sense of loss, fear, | | | | maintaining the essence, but adjusting the method. |
| frustration, and sometimes depression. We can | | | | Now I enjoy the beauty of nature in a way that is |
| become trapped and immobilized by not only our | | | | conducive to my current health by going for short |
| physical pain, but our emotional distress as well. | | | | walks on flat paths in the woods, or sitting on the |
| But your pain doesn't have to stop you from living a | | | | beach, or riding my bike leisurely through the park. |
| fulfilling, exciting life! Your journey with pain is a unique | | | | · Brainstorm creative ways that you could |
| opportunity to slow down, take a look at your life up | | | | reinvent the dream so that you experience what you |
| to this point, and reinvent it. It all starts with | | | | really want in a way that supports your overall health |
| reinventing your dreams! Dreams are the fuel that | | | | and wellness. Ask for input from friends if you get |
| moves you from frustration to fulfillment and | | | | stuck. |
| satisfaction! I invite you to start reinventing today! | | | | Example If you love to snowboard, but are not up to |
| Exercise | | | | riding, maybe you could go watch a snowboard |
| · Make a list of dreams and goals you've had in | | | | competition; take a gondola ride to the top of a local |
| life. | | | | ski resort just to be in the midst of the energy |
| · Choose two or three that leap out at you. As | | | | (make sure you can also ride back down!); ride for an |
| you do this, you might hear yourself saying things | | | | hour on the bunny hills; look into snowboard |
| like, "Yeah right. Not anymore! I hurt too much to do | | | | adaptations that would enable you to sit while riding; |
| that." If that's true, I think you'll get tremendous | | | | try inner tubing; and much more! |
| value from this exercise. | | | | · Choose one item from your brainstorm list that |
| · Really think about those dreams. What is it | | | | you will look into in the next 24 hours. Be in motion |
| that drew you to them? What's the essence? Is it | | | | towards achieving your dreams! |
| something that's going to increase your pain? For | | | | You can live a dream come true life. Even if your life |
| how long? Will the excitement be worth an increased | | | | is marked by pain! |
| pain level for a few days? Is there a way you could | | | | |