Anne Calodich Fone - Elf-help for Coping with Pain

Elf-help for Coping with Pain

Anne Calodich Fone

Illustrated by R. W. Alley

Abbey Press

All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.

Text copyright 2002 by Anne Calodich Fone
Illustrations copyright 2002 by Saint Meinrad Archabbey

ISBN: 978-1-4976-8035-7

Abbey Press Publications

1 Hill Drive

St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577

www.abbeypress.com

Distributed by Open Road Distribution

345 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

www.openroadmedia.com

Foreword

Rarely is lifes landscape level. Pain comes uninvited, moving mountains into our paths. Pain brings change and change brings challenge. But mountains can be climbed and challenges can be met.

We are each the work of a loving Creator, a wondrous integration of mind and body, spirit and emotions. When one or more of these parts is out of balance, pain acts as a warning, signaling us to respond.

Elf-help for Coping with Pain offers no quick-fix solutions. What it does offer are gentle reminders that any journey from woundedness to wholeness is a process and not meant to be traveled alone. There are things you can do to make the trip easier. There are blessings to be found along the way.

Whether the pain with which you are coping is short-term or chronic, injury or illness, trauma or loss, you will find within these pages both words and illustrations that will encourage and inspire.

May the following suggestions for finding resources and strength within God, yourself, and others help motivate you to face your future with faith and with hope.

1.

In our lives, pain is inevitable. In His love, God is indomitable. Allow your mind and your spirit to accept both of these truths.

2.

You cannot possess what you cannot perceive. You are what you think you are. Develop a mentality that survives rather than merely endures, conquers rather than merely lives wounded.

3.

Become your own advocate by searching out information. Read, ask questions, research the internet, contact professionals and/or those in similar situations to your own. From this well-informed stance, you will be in a better position to assess your options and set realistic goals.

4.

Although you may have to accept some short-term restrictions at present, reject any long-term limitations as permanent. Both time and perspective will teach you new ways to adjust and adapt.

5.

Anxiety, fear, and depression can actually add to pains intensity. Dare to share. Hearing your own feelings spoken aloud to a trusted friend, family member, spiritual or professional counselor can help to clear the fog and make them easier to confront.

6.

Pain can teach us how to prioritize. You may now see new purpose and value in what you passed by in busyness before. Do some mental math: What can you add to your life to make it more meaningful? What can you subtract?

7.

Check your life for balance. Routine leaves us rigid and restless in our own self-made ruts. Make sure your TO DO list includes activities you know or think youd enjoy as well as obligations that need to be met.

8.

Refuse to give pain the loudest voice. Still your mind and your heart to hear Gods guiding whispers. Climb up and cuddle like a child upon your Fathers lap as you read Gods Word, meditate on Gods promises, and carry each concern to God in trustful prayer.

9.

Do not try to bear the whole burden alone. False independence can be self-defeating. True strength is admitting you cant handle it all. Ask for help or for hugs whenever you need them.

10.

Take responsibility for any part you may have played in your pain. Guilt keeps us looking backwardaway from solutions that may lie ahead. Change what you can as you face forward again.

11.

Give yourself the gifts of time, gentleness, and patience. Take time-outs when feeling frustrated or discouraged. Deep breaths, calming thoughts, and forgiveness of self and of others can do wonders to putting yourself back on track.

12.

Resist the temptation to compare yourself to others. There is a world of difference between limitation and weakness, between inability and unwillingness. Measure your progress only by those steps that you take to meet your own specific goals.

13.

Positive self-talk can help bring about healing. Become your own cheerleader as you applaud each of your efforts. Remind yourself daily that each step you attempt is a potential victory, giving voice to the fact that you have not, that you will not, give up.

14.

Dont resort to unhealthy habits in an attempt to dull the pain. What we choose to do now, we WILL pay for later. Become your own watchdog as you guard against those choices that will more likely harm than help.