Two Years of Trials

Some of you know, but many don't - that I was in a car accident two years ago this month that changed my life. Although it seemed minor at the time, it threw me into a loop of continuous chronic pain and left me with repercussions in my mind and body that I could never have anticipated.

Social media is a small part of who we are - it often only shows bits and pieces of our daily life. And being a positive person I rarely mention the severe depths of pain, depression and suffering this has been on my social outlets.

The emotional impact of chronic pain is intense, and being someone who's already such an empath, it's taken a huge amount of work to protect myself, to find the time and space to begin to really heal and to allow the people around me who love me to carry me through this difficult journey.

This photo by my talented friend/brother Cory Smith (IG: @corysmithphotography) really spoke to me because it reminded me of those dark days when I really felt that the pain and depression was going to suck all of the color out of my life - permanently.

Those days are less often now, thanks to two years of every kind of therapy you can imagine, the ability to stop working for a while thanks to my amazing hubby, and to the support of my faithful friends and caregivers who stood by me daily to make sure I didn't give up.

It's still a journey, but I finally see some light. And today, I just wanted to say to anyone suffering with chronic pain, heartbreak, betrayal, loss, grief or depression... or with anything that is hurting your heart deeply... you are not alone.

You are seen. You are heard. And my prayer for you today is that you find the love that does still live in the world - and that you find it in large quantities, through every outlet possible - nature, people, animals, small acts of kindness, human touch, gentle words, supportive actions - and in any specific way that you like and need to be loved.

Sincerely, Shanna

#shannanigans #getwell #lovemore #selfcare #lookdeeply #bekind