This is a sports-centric time of year. College and professional football, the baseball World Series, end-of-season tennis tournaments and, soon, college and pro basketball. We could go hoarse cheering on our favorites!

Of course, as with any socially-prominent trend, I have to wonder if it has common ground with our lives with chronic pain & illness. And, in this case, I wonder, if we spent the same amount of time and energy rooting for good health, strong spirits, and positive action as we do for the teams of our choice, how different life might be!

Instead of blues-ing it through painful days, we might be more inclined to give ourselves pep talks.

Rather than procrastinate about those positive things we might do to improve even a little of our quality of life, we might have more of a sense of urgency (just as we do when time is ticking away and the score is tight).

Encouragement for ourselves and others could be all the spark we and they need to make a healthful change and, thus, support better overall response to the pain and illness that burden.

Putting on colors and styles that reflect strong personal team spirit can show the world that, no matter how strong the struggle, we are not beaten down.

Repeating, “there’s always next time…” when a defeat is particularly difficult can minimize hopelessness and, thus, help us persevere – like the glass-half-full Cubs fan that I am!

Yes, I think that turning the cheering squad loose on our lives can be a tremendously powerful catalyst for good days ahead.

Go! Go! Go!

Blessings for the day,

Maureen