When we feel powerless to make important changes in our lives, we are going to experience depression. The key to change is not stopping, masking, or numbing the depressing emotions, but changing the thinking and behavior that feeds the depression. We need to find ways to face the challenges that cause us to feel powerless without letting our sense

He was curious about what he would talk about if he did not talk about pain anymore.

Because of pain, one enjoyable activity after another is set aside. Saying no to social invitations becomes routine.

Rules can be broken. Motion is lotion. Pain does not need to stop me.

The brain does not like information, events, sensations, thoughts, or feelings to be floating around in our brain without some category, meaning, or purpose.

If we listen to the rules all the time, we will be protected from pain for short periods of time, but we will not heal. Healing will require breaking the rules our brains are coming up with that are designed only for short-term protection.

acceptance interferes with our brain’s ability to view pain as a terrible threat.

When a person has a strong fear of pain, he or she likely learned that fear from previous experiences.

SAFETY-IN-ME (SIM) Pain does not equal harm. I can be sore but safe. Motion is lotion. Pacing is progress. I can break the brain’s protective rules and still be okay. I am okay, and I am getting better. My back is strong. I can be active even with pain. I can rewire my brain. Medications and surgeries are not effective for everyone. Medical testing