WORKING WITH WHAT IS

Is it possible that we can come to an understanding that what is called JOY is simply the willingness to be and work with what is, including and especially the suffering that none of us expects? How deeply we can come to an understanding of what it means to trust in what ever comes to us, especially the unpleasant and unwanted, is a key to opening into genuine appreciation and joy of life's experiences. The Zen teacher, Ezra Bayda, says that life is really about the willingness to open ourselves to whatever life presents without judgements, no matter how messy or complicated. Through that willingness we will discover wisdom, compassion, and the genuine life we all want. Consider the Taoist viewpoint, that life is a quantum of unique experiences and all of those experiences are what give our lives significance. All the changes in our lives that directly result from our experiences provide us with opportunities to be creators of a new way of Living. We become creators who can choose to work with what is or become creators who choose to struggle with what is which is free will. Fulfillment comes from the ease of making choices that have become part of our new way of living and working with what is. Understanding that working with what is rather than struggling with what is, allows for full participation with in your life's journey. Full participation enables you to accept the genuine nourishment that your life offers.

In the last edition of Pain Connection we printed a story from the website 'Pain and The Law' (www.painandthelaw.org). About a pain patient that sued his pain management specialist and won. He waited for more than three hours for an appointment and never received treatment. The doctor is appealing the $250 small claims judgement against him. The doctor claims that he lost 2 ½ days in court on this "frivolous lawsuit."

What do you the reader think? What is the real issue here? Responses will be printed in the next newsletter.

I want to respond to the patient who sued over long waiting room stint. Mediation would have been a faster, easier and less costly way to resolve the situation. Instead of having to spend 2 ½ days in court, they likely would spend 2 hours to come up with an agreement that was acceptable to them both. By active listening and rephrasing the mediators would help them to hear each others perspectives, concerns, and feelings. They would help identify common interests and would then have the doctor and patient brainstorm ways to resolve the conflict. From that list the doctor and patient would decide what was workable and the mediators would make sure that the agreement was clear about who was doing what when. Through the process they may have repaired their relationship as well as resolving the dispute rather than digging in their heels and becoming bitter enemies.
-- Ruth Noel, Executive Director, Takoma Park Mediation Program.

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Pain Connection's Wish List

• Premises for our center that will be handicapped accessible.
• Fundraisers and Volunteers to develop events.
• Journalist willing to help with publishing our newsletter.

Support Group Dates

Designated Founders of Pain Connection for Contributions of $100 and over....

• Robin Sandenburgh
• Phillip and Brenda Herman

WE THANK YOU!

Funding Awards Pain Connection thanks The United Way Campaign 2003 and 2004 and Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program for the grant awards and supporting our programs.

Thank you Sterling Fennell and the students of Ivymount School for preparing our monthly flyers for mailing.

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