{"id":978,"date":"2014-01-05T23:32:04","date_gmt":"2014-01-05T23:32:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/?p=978"},"modified":"2014-01-02T19:43:32","modified_gmt":"2014-01-02T19:43:32","slug":"your-olympic-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/gooddaysbaddays\/2014\/01\/your-olympic-season.html","title":{"rendered":"Your Olympic season"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>
Photo courtesy of koratmember\/FreeDigitalPhotos.net<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you read the title of this blog post and laughed, you’re not alone. Many people simply do not think of themselves as athletic, let alone Olympic caliber.<\/p>\n

But if you’ve lived awhile with the challenges of chronic illness and pain, you know well that it takes more than meds and a doctor’s appointment to live as healthfully as possible and forge from your burdens purpose and grace.<\/p>\n

So, considering the strength it takes to do what we do, I like to think of each of us as elite athletes with an Olympic season right around the corner. We are, in many ways, “in training.” We observe our doctor-prescribed course of treatment carefully, much as those sports-centered athletes observe their coaches’ programs. We fold into our rigorously pain-peppered lives time for rest, knowing that this comfort is needed along with all else.<\/p>\n

As athletes, we also pay close attention to the “mental” and spiritual part of training. We nurture our good relationships and find ways to celebrate our “small” victories. We pray and meditate, soaking in as much of God’s love and support as we possibly can – and then some! We prepare our spirits for the tough days ahead, which we know will come, and we let them soar on the days when we can rejoice at better outcomes.<\/p>\n

As we watch the feats of the athletes in this year’s Winter Olympics, we can take much inspiration from their achievements and, especially, the way that they continue on, rising from accidents and injuries, and insist on at least striving for their personal best.<\/p>\n

Yes, this new year is our Olympic season! Ready? Set! Go for it!<\/p>\n

Blessings for the day,<\/p>\n

Maureen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans. A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined. Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is \"Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, \"Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness\" (Image Books\/Randomhouse), \"Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy\" (Twenty-Third Publications), \"The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition\" (Perseus) and \"Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe.\" She writes the syndicated column, \"Living Well,\" for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others. \"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt\" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. 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