T'was the night before

When I was little I loved the magic of the poem “The Night Before Christmas.” My parents had a well-worn book that had beautiful illustrated pictures and they would read it to me each Christmas season. As soon as I could read it myself I would slowly read each page and get lost in my imagination. I would pretend that St. Nicholas was coming to my house in Maryland, landing on our roof with his reindeers and sneaking in my living room to deliver the “goods.” I would wait up as long as I could to try to get a peek of him. I wanted to know him. I wanted to watch him make his delivery. I wanted to see if he was really “jolly.” I wanted to believe. I wanted to believe in something bigger and better than anything I’d ever known.

This season of the year is a magical time for me. Families come to visit each other from near and far. Good food and good cheer suddenly appear. Friends and family are so thankful and joyful for their time together. It’s not about the presents and the “goods,” it’s about the love that is shared and the idea that someone is thinking about you and thinks you are special. It’s about connecting and enjoying it. It’s about relationships.

In my profession, often patients are referred to my physical therapy office and they have lost their “belief.” They are in pain due to an injury or a disease has overtaken them and they are wondering what this life is all about. Often something is broken and they are not sure what they need to do to fix it.

“To believe” means to accept as true or real, to expect it, to have a firm faith, confidence or trust in it. What do you trust in when nothing is working right?

What do you believe in when you have to change your dreams?

Brokenness is painful for all of us and it comes in all shapes, sizes and often at the most unexpected times. Fear, anger and grief can come over us and sometimes we get stuck there, right there in the middle of the pain. Real healing will come when we choose everyday to move forward. It is a choice and often we need help to do it. It means laying down your pride and asking for the help you need. When we stop and choose it, you will move through it. It will take all your belief and all your courage, but you can do it.

So this Holiday Season believe in something bigger and better than what you have ever thought you could. Believe in the “goods” God has given you. You are a special one of a kind person. You have what it takes and you are good enough. Just believe it and choose to be well!

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Sheree DiBiase, PT, is a the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy, PA and she and her staff want to wish you a fabulous Holiday Season with all your family and friends. Please choose to be well in the New Year and call our offices to be part of our 90-day healthy lifestyle challenge. Coeur d’Alene office at (208) 667-1988 and in the Spokane Valley office at (509) 891-2623. Just do it.