This time next week it will all be in the past. This holiday season will be a thing of the past with rememberances of what a good day it was. 
       You know what I mean. The wrapping paper will be in the disposal, the food preparations will be all eaten or stored for another day, and the decorations look like it's time to take them down. All the stress and strain of the holiday on the body will be almost gone, if not gone already.
           Now, TIS THE SEASON for "Kudos". That's right! You need to do a mental check and really see the triumphs you made in the past month. Only you know the pain you were in when you did the second day of the cookie bake off. How you felt that day you went Christmas shopping when only your significant other knew how the headache pounded and the legs felt they could go no further when you had only been shopping for a half hour.
           It may not have been the chronic back pain that got to you. Your pain factor number could have been even more accented by the other painful diseases that your body is faced to endure. Only you, personally, know the struggle you have dealt with during this time.  After others have complimented you on how well you look (or how well you were hiding your pain), you need to take a self survey and make sure that you pat yourself on the back for those accomplishments. Take your own standard for feeling good and be proud of what you managed to do. Because.... 
    The only kudos that will make you feel the best are the ones that you can give yourself. Be proud of yourself. MORE than the pride that others have shared with you. After that know that the next challenge is on its way.