As one of my kids Rhys prepares to leave for university tomorrow, a monumental milestone in his life, my heart is a whirlwind of emotions—pride, excitement, and a little bit of sadness. This huge step forward has me thinking a lot about milestones and the importance of celebrating them. My daughter Kiersten also started her post secondary education at beauty school earlier this summer, not long after she graduated high school, so I have both kids milestones and goals to celebrate. But reaching milestones is especially a concept that holds special meaning for those of us living with chronic pain. While the world often celebrates big, headline-grabbing achievements, our journey can look a bit different.
For someone navigating the daily challenges of chronic pain, a milestone might not be as grand as moving across the country for school. It could be something as seemingly small as making it through a busy day without a flare-up, finishing a book you've been wanting to read, or even just getting out of bed on a particularly difficult morning. These smaller victories are just as valid and, in many ways, even more important to acknowledge and celebrate. Each one is a testament to incredible strength and resilience.
No matter the size of the accomplishment, reaching milestones and achieving goals provides a powerful boost to both our mental and physical well-being. The act of setting and reaching a goal, whether big or small, releases feel-good hormones that can improve mood and reduce stress. This sense of progress and accomplishment can create a positive feedback loop, encouraging us to keep moving forward. It reminds us that we are capable, and that's a powerful and healing realization.
So to celebrate both Rhys and Kiersten following their dreams, achieving milestones, and working towards their goals, this week’s Sunday’s Quotes To Inspire Your Week is on milestones and what it means to reach them.
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