An appreciation...

[usernamenumber]

Just one more post, I swear. But this is what happens when I don't post for ages.

Due to some very annoying things that don't warrant going into, my back was killing me today as I biked to rehearsal. It was the worst pain I'd been in for a while, and yet, before I could feel too sorry for myself, thoughts came un-bidden of the number of people I know who deal with or have dealt with issues so much more intense than those with which I was dealing that I can barely even relate to their experiences. This didn't lead me to telling myself to "toughen up" or whatever, and pretend that my problems don't exist just because others have it worse, but it did give me a sense of perspective (including a more concious appreciation of what I have) and an inspiration to keep going and do what I needed to do.

So, I won't try to make a list because I know I'd just forget someone, but all of y'all, you know who you are, know that you doing what you do is an inspiration, for whatever that's worth.

Comments

[darkoni]

No matter the scope of someone's problem when compared to another's, I still feel it warrants taking a moment to wish someone well. So, I hope your back is doing better.

[arachne8x.livejournal.com]

A friend told me something recently that was enormously helpful to how I think about my suffering in comparison with others. We were talking about emotional and psychological suffering, but the same thing applies to pain. You can't imagine what it is like to suffer with pain each and every day, and the reason is that it's never happened to you. And in comparison what is happening to you may seem paltry. The difference is that I have coping mechanisms you don't. My body and my mind's relationship to pain is different than yours. I also take meds to manage my pain each day, and they are more effective than you'd think.

I think this is universal for those of us with chronic pain or chronic illness, that our body's relationship to pain is not something you can imagine. It's crazy to me that a sinus headache still causes me to reach for pills ASAP, because my body isn't used to that kind of pain. Whereas, if I wake up in pain, chances are it resolves as tiredness and grouchiness. It can take up to an hour to realize I hurt.

In the end, we each have our own row to hoe. Thank you for your empathy, and your words, but know that your suffering is your own, and uniquely painful for that reason. I'm glad that you can take from this experience inspiration to treat your body well, that's the best thing you can do.

*HUGS*

I hope things (backwise) improve rapidly.

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Everyone's experiences are different, which can make it a challenge to relate - but that doesn't make them more intense, or more serious, or more severe. You just can't compare experiences like that.

You (I hope) don't know what it feels like to be a rape survivor. I don't know what it feels like to go through chemotherapy. My friend C. doesn't know what it feels like to have to wait until your abusive husband is 800 miles away, hunt through the house and hide all the guns, then get a hotel room and call a divorce lawyer for urgent service. That doesn't mean any one of these things is bigger, or more serious.

It works in the other direction, too. You don't know how it feels to save a creature's life with your own hands and skills and knowledge. I don't know how it feels to watch a child I raised myself achieve their dreams with my guidance and support. My mother doesn't know how it feels to stand center stage and hold an audience captivated, heart and soul. And these things are all equally awesome and amazing.

There is such an amazing spectrum of human experience that sometimes I wonder how we even manage to share a language... but that's also what makes the world worth exploring.

[faerieboots.livejournal.com]

What they said! Pain is relative, and while empathy is important, it is also important to recognize that your pain is painful to you. These things are not a contest! And I hope your back feels better soon, if it does not already.

Also, as a practical aside, some people are very private about their sources of pain, so it is a good idea to be careful about listing said sources in a semi-public forum. :)