Winter is one of my most favorite times of year and at the same time an especially challenging time for me, especially in Tokyo. About 9 years ago I was in a car crash that changed my life! I experienced multiple injuries throughout my body and severe nerve injuries. Since that moment 9 years ago I have lived with chronic pain. I go to bed with pain each night and I wake up with pain each morning. As it gets colder in the winter my pain level goes up!

I had an especially challenging day on Sunday November 2nd. After traveling around Tokyo most of the day attending different activities the pain in my body reached a very high level. So I decided to stay home on Monday and hopefully give my tired legs a chance to rest. Many people ask me why are you so passionate about positive thinking? Living with chronic pain everyday is a constant challenge for me. Many people who have chronic pain usually experience severe depression and/or drug or alcohol addiction. For me it’s simple choice when I think of the alternative.

Tuesday afternoon (November 4), I did not feel good inside. I was in relentless and continuous pain and experiencing a very challenging moment when I decided to turn on my computer and write about my experience.  Writing my feelings down often helps me to understand what I am experience and quite often helps me to feel better.

After writing down a few words I read a story on Yahoo Sports that brought tears to my eyes and I thought I would share the link with you! This is a story about friendship,

“Hopkins and an even tougher fighter.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news?slug=ki-negler110208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

This story reminded me that life is a gift and how precious each and every moment of life truly is. I believe that life is filled with many challenges and it is easy to take this gift of life for granted. Most of us live our lives as if we are going to live forever and put off our happiness until another day. We live our lives as if we have been promised, guaranteed another day. But what if another day never comes? What if all we really have is this moment that we are currently in?