This face...

This is not a face of contentment. Nor the face of comfort.

This is the face of someone who does what they have to, despite it being the last thing they wanted to do.

This is not the face of someone disciplined and energized. This is the face of fear.

Fear that one day they may not have the luxury of mobility. Fear that one day they might not be able to walk to the kitchen unaided, and without serious pain and stress; let alone exercise.

Today they were exhausted. Their joints were stiff and spine ridged. They had not slept well. They had had a very busy day. It was raining (a lot). The last thing that this face wanted to do was run.

It was not a hard decision to make. There is only one option on days like this.

Show up!

Otherwise their fear will be realized, as days like these become more frequent.

An "influencer" level of positivity, or a military level of discipline, doesn't motivate as much as fear. It never will.

This face isn't afraid of being afraid. And you shouldn't be, either.

Fear keeps us alive. Fear keeps us pushing forward.

My name is Ricky, and this is my face. My Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) gets to me sometimes and makes me afraid of what is yet to come.

But those that know me best know that my AS is more afraid of me than I am of it.

You can't beat me!