Life, Work, Career Coach Minda Miloff, Montreal, QC
Call for an appointment (514) 791- 4506
  • LIFE & WORK COACH
  • SPECIALITIES
  • - Inner Obstacles
  • - Work Challenges
  • - Well-Being
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • CAREER HISTORY
  • ACHIEVEMENTS
  • GLOSSARY

Pain, pain go away

2/25/2015

8 Comments

 
Picture

I came home tired and happy after an evening of dance practice. Before turning in for the night, I did a fast bit of iPhone research to track down country songs to play for a waltz in my next class.

The words on the phone screen blurred and I couldn't quite read the song titles.
  • I tried to correct the blurriness by moving the phone to different angles  
  • I increased the back-light on the phone 
  • I increased the font size

When I still couldn't read the song titles, I said to myself, "my eyes must be tired, maybe I need new glasses, something is wrong with the screen."  I turned off the phone, believing the screen's bright white light wasn't good for me.


Within a few seconds I saw trails of white and green light, in a zig-zag, cross- hatch formation, across the upper wall of my room.


I went to emergency, at the General. The diagnosis: aura without migraine.  It turns out this is quite common. In my case, a wicked migraine surfaced a day later. I had pounding behind my eyes, a throbbing head, and root-canal like pain in my mouth.


My aura without migraine, followed by a full-on migraine, gave me a chance to chew on two ideas that go far beyond this experience: 
  • How pain is influenced by our thinking and emotions.
  • How we can avoid or even deny an unpleasant truth, even when the evidence might be strong.

Pain is coloured by what we believe about the pain

The way we perceive and think about our pain influences our experience of pain. The way we interpret the pain can make the symptoms even worse.
  • For example, when I said to myself, "this pain is awful, I can't handle it, now I'm going to get migraines for the rest of my life," my pain amplified. The more emotional I got, the deeper my fear and the greater the intensity of pain.
  • On the other hand, when I said to myself, "this is only going to last a day or so, I can cope with this, people suffer from this and much worse all the time,"  I felt less panicky and better able to cope.

Yes, I coped better when I could:
  • Relax through meditation.
  • Focus on the painful sensations and not let my mind drift into worries about how I would always have pain.
  • Enjoy a few distractions (Facebook and texting).

And I must admit a stronger medication was a godsend.

To deny, refuse and reject

When we directly experience something as not quite right, or when we perceive something or someone as not quite right, the feelings can be uncomfortable. It is quite natural to deny, reject or even refuse to believe a given experience or perception that is in fact the real thing.

In my case, it didn't take me long to realize that blurry vision and flashing lights were signals that things were not quite right. But I could see how in other circumstances my mind could easily play tricks on me. 

This can be a problem if we:

  • Chronically deny, reject and refuse our direct experience or feelings.
  • Understand the "evidence" is quite strong but  continue to seek out other explanations.
  • Are unaware that we are refusing to accept a truth or fact, or deny its existence.
  • Allow fear to keep us from facing our problems or avoiding action.

If you suffer from physical pain, there are pain management techniques worth learning.  And if you
perceive something or someone as not quite right, pay attention. Same goes if things go blurry, as they did for me.

Blurry and pain-free,
Coach Minda

8 Comments
Richard Childs
2/26/2015 03:38:01 am

Minda, you operate, function, live on a higher level. In turn, you make the world a better place and attract your good.

Reply
Minda link
2/26/2015 03:45:02 am

Richard, you are the first ever to give me this sort of compliment. And while it's not true I'm going to accept it! Why not! Thanks for reading my blogs and contributing positively as you always do.

Reply
Maila
2/27/2015 12:55:35 am

Oof...Minda this is one of your blogs to which I must find a second to reply!
Addressing one's "pains" in a frank, honest, open way is very positive. It can only serve to help ride through & hopefully overcome it.
Sharing, even the less pleasant experiences of life, is a wonderful act of connection to our fellow human beans & this goes to show that even "bad times" can be shared with positive results.
Sending good energy your way, knowing this too shall pass.
Hang in/on & thanks for sharing!

Reply
Minda link
2/27/2015 01:48:43 am

From your fellow human bean, I wish you and your Goan guests a pain free time! Thanks Maila for finding a few seconds. Advertisement: if you are going to GOA check out Maila's beech resort at: http://meemsbeachresort.com/

Reply
Joy
2/27/2015 04:27:07 am

Pain can take you to a whole new plane. It can be a daunting experience. The mind is sometimes your only relief from it. If you can control your thoughts enough and focus on something positive, it can enable you to move on. Don't let pain be the strongest force in your day. There's a lot to "mind over matter."

Reply
Minda
2/27/2015 06:19:58 am

My heart goes out to those who are in chronic pain as it so robs people of feeling good. And we don't know who is suffering as pain doesn't show well. I agree that using meditation or distraction or "thought" control are really necessary to get to the other side and have relief. Thanks Joy!

Reply
Lisa
3/3/2015 02:19:13 am

Minda sorry to hear about this inconvenient trauma, but happy to hear that you were keen enough to take action. So true that many people deny or reject their physical signs that can later manifest into a chronic condition. Our body talks to us, our job is to respond to that sign. However, our mind can cause us pain as well....what has worked for me is talking to you and reading your posts. Thanks for being such a fabulous coach!

Reply
Minda link
3/3/2015 09:07:50 am

Such kind words Lisa! Much thanks. And guess what - following my aura, then migraine, came an unexpected root canal!

All is well now.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Coach Minda

    ​Building and sustaining relationships is central to my life. It is important to see people and things as they really are. I enjoy lots of different people and enjoy free and open discussions.   I thrive on helping people resolve problems, turn around difficult relationships and see an optimistic future when others are stuck.

    Please share these blogs.

    I am not a writer by training, but enjoy using stories to illustrate ideas that are interesting to me. Let me know what you think.

    Your comments are most welcome.

    Please enter your email address and select YES to subscribe to my blog. Click submit.
      Please enter in your email address to subscribe to my blog. We will not share your email address.
      Please select Yes to subscribe to my blog. We will not share your email address.
    Submit

    RSS Feed

    New Year Resolutions 2017
    • CBC Daybreak interview 
    • CTV at Noon interview
    This video project below captures testimonies from mentors who participated in  Concordia University activities for graduates. When filming, each mentor shared notable experiences in their professional journey and offered best practices that have defined their professional success.
    Listen to my interview by Noomii

    Your browser does not support HTML5. Please update your browser to listen.

    Noomii The Coaching Experts
    Tweet
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    May 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

Would Love to Hear From You Soon!


Private and confidential

  • ​In person, by phone, Skype or WhatsApp
  • Day and evening  
  • Weekends available only by phone or SKYPE

Website

www.coachminda.com
Picture

Connect with me

Mobile: 514-791-4506
SKYPE: minda.miloff
​Email: coachmindamiloff@gmail.com
COACH MINDA