"Replace fear-based thinking with love-based thinking. Every time you're making a choice, ask yourself if it's going to cultivate the experience of unity and love or the experience of separation and stress." – Deepak Chopra

We all experience fear. When it comes to living with a chronic condition like spondylitis, fear can manifest in many ways.

Sometimes our initial diagnosis gives us fears about our quality of life. Dealing with the realities of our "new normal," with spondylitis can put us in a chronically fearful state of mind. Will I have a flare today? Will I be able to attend to my daily tasks pain-free? Fear about outcomes that are beyond our control can facilitate fear taking root.

"I finally came to realize that my fears about having spondylitis and what that could potentially mean were ADDING to my pain. Once I consciously decided to relieve myself of that burden I could better focus on managing my spondylitis." – Member of MySpondylitisTeam

Here are recent conversations from MySpondylitisTeam members:

• "Thankful for the friendship we all have here and that we are very supportive. This really helps me get through the day."
• "I am new to the diagnoses Spondylitis... Feels like a train has run me over, but looking forward to a recovery."
• "There are times when I do more than I should, and boy do I pay for it, so I'm learning that no matter how badly I want to do something if I'm already at my limit, I put it out of my mind until the next day. After all, whatever it is will still be there to do tomorrow."

Dealing with fear will look different for everyone. Sometimes it means arguing with our intrusive thoughts. Sometimes it looks like meditating to clear the mind.
How do you stop fear from taking over? Join the conversation below.