The best way to start the day

I have been having trouble with my big toe for the last 3 years and my ankle for over a year now. I have tried every treatment the doctors have prescribed from herbs and supplements, to braces, PT, needling, rest, ice, heat, etc. You name it, I've tried it in hopes of delaying a pretty intense surgery.

On Thursday I tried an experimental treatment called a PRP injection. Basically, they took my blood, separated the plasma, and injected it back into my toe and two tendons in my ankle.

I was talking to the nurse as they set up for the procedure. Our conversation led us to a discussion about running. She said that they had a woman come in last week for an injection in her toe as well and she was a runner. I told her I was not a runner but I would kill to be able to run right now. She laughed and said, "Of course, because you can't."

This statement hit hard but was so very true! You don't know what you've got until it's gone. 😩

From a young age I was plagued with injuries and illnesses that helped me appreciate my body and how amazing it was. I learned how important it was to focus on what I could do with my body instead of what I couldn't.

Gratitude is a powerful form of medicine. It can help you take a negative situation and put a positive spin on it. This is extremely important when you are trying to heal because a negative attitude can actually increase inflammation.

Gratitude is something you can begin to practice immediately and the best part is it builds on itself. When we express gratitude, what we appreciate grows and increases in value making the practice easier and easier.

I start every day off by thinking of 3 things I am grateful for. I recite those things to myself after I finish my meditation practice each morning. This helps me start my day with a positive spin and I find that I appreciate more things in my daily life.

Do you need more gratitude in your life? Just stop right now and think of 3 things you are grateful for. They can be little things like having food to eat, or running water. Start with small things and let it build from there. Before you know it you will be able to find things to be grateful for even in the worst of times.

I'd love to hear about your gratitude practice and the changes it has made in your life. Let me know in the comments!