This is Day 86 of the Positive 100, a countdown to Rare Disease Day 2014 and an exercise in being positive despite it all.

Note to self: it’s worth it. You’re worth it.

This is my mantra on the days when things get tough. Tuesday, I was in tears after a rough client meeting and for the first time I believed what my last pain specialist had told me about working. She told me that I should be realistic. That working full time was not in my cards. That the toll it was going to take on my body wasn’t worth it.

I never believed it for a hot minute. Until Tuesday. The clouds had gathered, and I lost every ounce of positivity I had stored up. I was ready to admit defeat. To admit that it just wasn’t worth it.

But it is. It is worth it. You are worth it.

Living is worth the pain and struggles. Getting in shape is worth the time and the pushups. If you want it, it is worth what you have to give. You’re worth respect and honesty.

If you hit a particularly terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad, day, and you cannot find something positive to turn your day around, just keep telling yourself that life is worth it. And when you wake up, you will feel just enough better. The Negative Nancys won’t be running through your brain, and if they are still hanging out, a few more repetitions will vanquish them.

What are you worth? What makes it worth it? Share your answer on social media with the hashtag #100positivedays on Twitter, Instagram and Google+.