I have had chronic pain for so long that it is just a part of me that I accept most of the time. I often practice what I call the Zen of pain. I just look at the pain and go into it. Sometimes it disappears when I do this. Not becoming a slave to prescription drugs (I know it is the right thing for some people) and not having surgery (again, the right thing for some people) are my main goals and I do many things in terms of exercise, diet, and other tools in order to stay healthy while I have chronic pain, so that I avoid having more pain and dysfunction, but pain is just pain. Some days, when I have very little pain, I enjoy the day to the fullest. And there are some things I am glad I cannot do because of my physical limitations, so there IS some joy in that!