“Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” Communities

I offer TWO different communities for those looking to enhance their growth and find support.  Both are deeply rooted in what I believe to be the ‘secret sauce’ to a life of joy and purpose with chronic pain-GRATITUDE and CONNECTION.

“Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” (or AoG) is a Facebook group that was born from an idea I had back in 2015.

Years ago, I belonged to several of the large chronic pain/illness groups that you can find on Facebook, and they had always served their purpose for me to be able to vent as well as find out more specifics about my conditions.  There are literally tens of thousands of chronic pain/illness groups on Facebook where you can share about everything, and it’s wonderful to have that resource and ability to speak with others who struggle and get the support and/or medical advice you may be looking for.

What I wasn’t finding, though, was a place to escape from the negativity once in a while.  I would often log out of those other groups and end up feeling emotionally drained.  Being an empath, I found myself absorbing the issues of the other members when they shared.  So not only was I dealing with my own struggles, I felt I was taking on those of other members, too and it made my pain worse.

There is a pain that the doctors do not help us with or talk to us about, and that is the emotional pain that almost always goes hand-in-hand with the physical.  This pain is often more debilitating than the physical pain we have from our conditions.  I yearned for a place to feel inspired and uplifted….a place that promoted hope and motivated me to keep going despite the physical disabilities that weighed me down.  A place where people weren’t compelled to compare their situation or their pain with mine.

But nobody was offering what I envisioned.  I couldn’t find a single group like that.

I wanted a place where we could focus on living in the solution rather than marinading in the problem.  I wanted a great place to go when we tire of the negativity and just need a place to lift our spirits while learning how to live a fulfilling and wholehearted life.

And that’s how AoG was born!

In order for us to be equal and not compare our conditions with each other, we don’t discuss them in “Attitude of Gratitude with Chronic Pain” on Facebook.  We are a ‘no-complaining’ zone, not because I am against venting and complaining (I am strongly FOR it, actually,) but because there are already thousands of other groups that offer that. We are different.  We do offer live chats twice a week where venting is welcomed and encouraged, but it is not permitted in the group itself.  This way, nobody can compare whose pain is worse than others or who is sicker than others.  Comparison is NOT helpful nor does have a place in helping us to find joy, healing, and HOPE.

By staying on an equal playing field and not discussing our specifics, we are free to just say, “Ok.  I live with this chronic condition.  It hurts…..NOW WHAT?”  

The Facebook group is a space to escape talk of our conditions and pain.  It is a sanctuary.  (If you are looking for something that offers support without the strict guidelines, scroll down and check out our group on Mighty Networks.)

(Click on the logo to join us!)

We now have over 10,000 members who inspire and uplift each other daily.   It’s safe to say there is a need for this for anyone who is at a place in their personal journey and desires emotional healing and growth.  

We are a sanctuary for those looking to escape the medical specifics and comparisons that are most often found in other groups.  We are all well aware of what the problem is…our aim in AoG is to thrive rather than simply survive.  By getting rid of sharing the specifics of our conditions (which can be done in every other group), we open ourselves up to find inspiration, motivation, hope, and healing.  Many members join us as a temporary reprieve from their other groups…..others use us as their home base.

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Looking for extra support where you are free to talk more specifically about your condition?  Join our new group on Mighty Networks!

(Click to join us!)

Our brand-new community on Mighty Networks allows for extra support through online classes, intensives, events, and discussion that is more open than in our Facebook group.  It is a wonderful space for extra support through GRATITUDE and CONNECTION!  A great addition to our Facebook community or for people looking for something more rooted in vulnerability and free discussion!  We would love to have you!

 

 

 

 

 

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