Why do some moments shift us forever, and others change nothing despite all our effort?

There was a time in my life when I was in a lot of pain, actual physical pain. For four years, the entire left side of my body hurt so badly that I could barely sleep at night.

It was difficult to bear, but the mental pain was worse. I would lie awake, haunted by the thought that something was seriously wrong with me, that I might even die from it.

Even though part of me knew this probably wasn’t true, the thought still made me anxious and heavy with dread.

I saw all kinds of doctors searching for answers. But no one could find a cause. Eventually, a specialist told me it was “all in my head.”

That made me furious! It felt like he was saying it wasn’t real.

I tried so many things to feel better — painkillers, cognitive behavioral therapy, walking, osteopathic treatment — you name it. Some of it helped, but nothing brought lasting relief.

And then, quite unexpectedly, the pain disappeare...