First post in this two-part series can be found here.

As my boss has often reminded me over the years, life is a marathon, not a sprint. I fully understand what he is saying now. It’s important – no critical – that we slow down to take care of ourselves. It took something as severe as an injury and 100 days of pain for me to fully get that we can’t afford to not step back and make sure we’re doing alright. The monetary, physical, emotional, and mental price over the long-haul is much steeper than any perceived immediate downside of maintaining our well being.

Having time to reflect during these 100 days of being at home in pain has taught me a lot. Here are some additional things I’ve learned that I will be sure to take with me and apply to my post-pain life:

1. While the affects of Vicodin aren’t always apparent to you, they are to others.
2. Children can’t comprehend debilitating pain, and that’s a good thing.
3. It’s important to learn how to be comfortable asking for what you need.
4. Back pain forces you to be rather creative when having sex, and icing afterwards is critical (though unromantic).
5. It is possible to still approach life with a smile when you’re in pain (but it sure wears you out).
6. Physical exercise is a must for the brain, body, and soul.
7. Doing nothing does so much for you.
8. It is possible to forget how to walk properly.
9. Driving without a co-pilot under the influence of Vicodin isn’t advisable (lost a taillight!).
10. It’s possible to miss work, but not when you’re in pain.
11. While twitter can’t replace in-person interaction, it can help.
12. The littlest things, like cards of encouragement, really do help.
13. Vicodin is not addictive, as long as you keep taking it.
14. Paying the doctor a visit can be the highlight of your week – make the most of the interactions you have every day.
15. People don’t want to hear how bad you have it, but they do like to hear optimism in the face of adversity.
16. Animals have an amazing ability to sense pain as well as provide comfort (having your cat lie down beside you can feel really good when you’re sick).
17. Sometimes, getting out of bed is indeed a legitimate goal for the day.
18. Complete strangers can be incredibly supportive and encouraging (thanks twitter friends!).
19. It’s nearly impossible to concentrate for more than a few minutes under Vicodin and pain.
20. It can feel really guilty taking a nap in the afternoon, but that’s just what you need to do sometimes.
21. The Bed Desk is a lifesaver – it enabled me to create this blog while lying in bed on my back.
22. Vicodin can make you forget what you’ve said (even just a minute ago)
23. When you’re spending the majority of several months in bed, it’s important to get out (a trip to Peet’s Coffee and Tea every once in awhile helped keep me sane).
24. Amazing workplaces do exist – my company (Jump Associates) was even more focused on my long-term well-being than I was at first.
25. Don’t take an easy, quick  bowel movement for granted.
26. Never forget to help those around you, no matter how big your needs are – you’re also helping yourself.
27. Pain has the power to make you feel like you’ve run a marathon, even when you did absolutely nothing.
28. Hobbies are important (get over how lame the word sounds).
29. Take time to reflect at the end of every day on how you are doing personally.
30. You need to be on a vigil watch over your own healthcare, as no doctor can care as much as you do.
31. It’s important to read non-business books (like Born to Run) – they have the ability to change your life.
32. Work can literally kill you, if you let it.
33. It’s actually not that hard to eat no refined sugar, dairy, or gluten – it’s just not what industry wants you to think.
34. It’s critical to stop and play, every day – being around children can help remind you how to play.
35. Vicodin can make you forget what you’ve said (even just a minute ago).
36. The right massage at the right time is not a waste of money, nor time.
37. Trust those you’ve surrounded yourself with when they say you need a break.
38. Stay close to and in contact with family – there’s a power there you just won’t find anywhere else.
39. Spending some time in nature sheds quick light on how materialistic we can get.
40. There’s nothing quite like the feel of cool grass on your bare feet.
41. You can waste years of your life when you’re not in touch with what turns you on.
42. You only get one body, and it’s usually too late by the time you realize this.
43. It’s never worth putting off a life goal – live it and take a step towards making it a reality every day.
44. Don’t take anything for granted – relish what you have.

Get out there and do something you enjoy. Now!

What do you think?

• What have injuries taught you about yourself?
• Have you found you have become a better person after having to deal with difficulties in your life?
• What have your learned on your life journey, and when?

Read Part I of this two-part series here.