HA, HA, HA, HA!!!
Okay, I did the post about learning. Now, to another important thing I have learned that affects every aspect of my life: HUMOR.
While doing research on how to manage chronic pain from neck injury and surgery, I started reading about our bodies natural defenses against pain. When I found out that endorphins are ten times stronger than morphine and that our bodies produce them, I knew I was on to something great! To be able to function without medication, and to limit pain - with using what was already available and in me? What a relief!
So then, I had to find out how we increase endorphin production... (so cool to work in a library where we have all this information). Yes, I started my research before we had access to online information!
Okay, so I started reading some really great books on pain management. I learned that while certain foods can increase endorphins (like peanuts), the best way was the excitement we feel with a positive attitude. However, being in chronic pain, one has a little difficulty being positive.
So, I started carrying around little cartoon books like, "The Far Side". I also started picking out movies to watch that were more humorous. I could tell it was making a difference, so I started making it a point to remember good jokes to share with my friends and coworkers. I found that getting others to laugh along with me, was not only really fun, but it help to keep my attitude "positive".
While I still had pain, it was much more manageable. Now, when my pain starts creeping up, I automatically start looking for something to laugh about. I have become quite a connoisseur of humor and I pride myself on taking my work seriously and myself lightly.
I've found that over the past 22 years since I had surgery, that I can find humor in almost anything. Just ask my family, friends, and coworkers.
I am known for using the phrase "Onward and Upward" in most all my emails and notes. I adopted this phrase as a self affirmation. Life goes onward and upward, and so do I and my sense of humor.
