And here I was checking in on you today only to find some beautiful responses from members with a lot of empathy encouragement and motivation. The one thing I wanted to share based on my experience at the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center, was the importance of feelings thoughts and behaviors. Research shows that making a positive change to any one area of thoughts feelings or behaviors can lead to positive change in the other two. Negative thoughts are hard to change when you're feeling so down however recognizing that you're living in the negative world can be such a helpful first step. I learned a phrase during rehab called "catch and correct". I am 3 years graduated and still have to work on catching and correcting myself during difficult times. But I can attest to the fact that the more I've practiced this the more it's become second nature. It works like this - instead of saying I can't cope replace it with I will do my best, instead of saying no one wants to be around me, replace it with I make mistakes but I will work to do my best, instead saying I will always be sick say I have handled tough times before. Instead of saying I can't do anything or I'm unable think what can I do how am I still able . Positive self talk is where change can begin. People can offer all sorts of great advice but unless the person hearing it chooses to be an active participant in their own care, that advice falls flat.

That's my tip of the day as I am getting ready to go force myself to exercise. Another phrase I learned is "march before you feel like it" and that's what I'm about to go do!

Wishing you and all who are reading this... a pleasant warm day filled with happy thoughts.