I am sitting here in an odd position. I am in bed with the flu, but the stomach flu can also mean all sorts of very un-fun things for me with my autoimmune condition. If you know my work you know exactly what I’m talking about.

So I am trying really hard to do something that those of us with chronic conditions are so often challenged to do. Keep my mind in a great place, while I also call various amazing doctors on whom I totally rely.

And this is a conundrum. I’ve written a whole book that has changed my life. Change my brain, change how I feel. We know without a doubt that changing our habits of thought creates a protective biological cascade effect. And we know it is hard work. And that even if our physical health doesn’t shift, guess what, something big inside will.

Everything I write about in The Last Best Cure is hard work, especially when we are ill, or in fear, or in pain.

Catching thoughts, mindfulness, meditative practice, forgiving myself. Breathing into my toes, laughing like a baby, nature bathing and down-dogging and being an eagle.

Letting the darker, more worried thoughts go.

Each of the approaches I have spent a year pursuing requires hard work, focus and attentiveness every day.  Time.  Discipline.  Dedication.  Energy.  Lots of energy.

And that’s the conundrum. I recognize, all too well, how hard this is to do when we don’t feel well or we’re in pain.

And that’s why I wrote the book. I totally get that.

And guess what, studies tell us we can’t do it alone. Sharing our journey helps us in the journey. I’m so excited that in 22 days we’ll be able to do it together. So excited about that. Because we all know that really, there are no quick fixes — and we need help along the way. We are all part of The Last Best Cure community.