The most important meanings of the upcoming holidays include time with family and friends, spirituality, and taking time to relax and reflect.  But presents are fun, too, right?  So I’d like to give out a few gifts to you, my readers, with Contest #1 today (and Contest #2 and Contest #3.).

Today’s contest is to write something for How to Cope with Pain to share with other readers.  This can be a short article or a long story - anything related to pain, including:

• your own pain condition
• what you’ve learned from coping with pain
• what your best coping techniques are
• an inspirational quote, video or photo

Whatever you’d like to share.  Don’t be modest or shy, or feel you have nothing to say.  I’ll pick my favorite submission as the winner (deadline, 12/31), and publish all of them in January.  Submissions will be judged on helpfulness to other readers, creativity, humor and inspiration.  You can send in as many submissions as you’d like.  The winner has a choice of 5 gifts:

• Life Disrupted:  Getting Real About Chronic Illness in Your Twenties and Thirties, a book by Laurie Edwards
• The Computer Athlete’s Handbook, a book by Brian Bentow
• A “Book Buddy” pillow for reading and using your laptop in comfort
• A set of 6 squishy, funny “pain faces” dolls which show 6 pain levels
• The Wisdom to Know the Difference, a book by Eileen Flanagan

Send in your submission here.  The deadline is 12/31.  Good luck!

Contest #2:  Sign up for delivery (free!) of How to Cope with Pain

Contest #3:  Donate to any pain charity

If you or your company would like to provide a prize for a future contest, contact me here.