The Power of Pain – What can pain do for us vs. TO us?
Finding our Power in Pain.
We have explored the power of music and how it helps us navigate our difficult emotions, and now it’s time to look at pain. Let’s explore the ways we can find our power when in pain and find the power of pain.
Push through it! You got this!!
Some of you may be old enough to recognize the expression from the 80’s – “No Pain, No Gain“. Meaning without a little physical pain, you’re not going to get the body transformation that you are seeking.
The process of lifting weights is quite intriguing to me. As you lift, you’re actually tearing the muscles just slightly. Then you wait at least a day in between your next session of lifting weights to allow your muscles time to heal.
So, if we take that same analogy when you push through your pain and stretch yourself out of your comfort zone, that pain becomes an opportunity to grow. It’s an opportunity for a transformation.
In short, you must push through the muck and allow the good inside of you to come out.
And then allow time to heal.
The Journey
If you’ve been following along since the beginning of my journey to “the best version of me,” which has turned into our journey to the best version of us, you may recall that I have a “bad back”.
You should know that my reiki specialist does not like it when I refer to any part of my body as “bad” since it ‘s the only one that I have. But I slip into that train of thought every now and again , and that usually happens when I’m lying flat on my back - literally.
My current situation? Sitting is impossible, picking items off of the floor is a challenge , and walking well, simply put, I just look silly!
But that’s not why we’re here today, is it? So, let’s get back to our topic at hand - finding our power in pain.
When we have physical pain, it will, most often, affect our mental well-being. How can it not?!?
And we become stuck.
Stuck indoors, stuck in bed, stuck on the floor, or worse, stuck in a hospital.
All the while, we feel out of sorts because we are unable to carry out our basic day-to-day chores and, maybe, more importantly, our daily routines. You’ve been there, right?! The woe-is-me attitude? Well, my friend, STOP!
And for the record, I fully support a visit to “Pity City“, but please, please, do NOT build a house there!
Still, let’s break that down.
Pain is Personal
Too many are well aware that pain comes at us in many different forms and from all sorts of different directions. And we each have our own tolerance level – that said, pain is very personal.
Sometimes, I think that physical pain is “easier” to deal with than mental pain because we’re often given an “end date.” Johnnie’s cast will come off on Wednesday. Mary is having her hip operated on Friday and the like.
However, when we have mental pain such as a loss, we are told that time will heal all wounds. The waiting is agonizing, you can hear the loud tick-tock from the clock on the wall, and it feels as if we’ve been sucked up into a black hole – with this type of pain, we’re not given an end date.
And the best part?!? When that physical pain becomes so unbearable, the negative gremlins begin to sneak into your mind and bring on feelings of self-doubt and bleakness.
Oh, that was very snarky of me, sorry!
So, How Can We Be Strong?
I believe in you.
Music, as you well know by now, is a fantastic way that I love to push through the sh*t I’m going through and get to the other side.
Stronger (what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger)
However, sometimes I need to sit still or walk in silence, and that’s when I turn to prayer.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
So I ask again, how can we feel strong amidst this agonizing pain? You currently feel lost or separated, or perhaps the pain is so excruciating that you just cannot think.
I get that, I really do, but we need to use this pain to our advantage. We cannot let it get the best of us. Use the pain. Use this opportunity to stretch yourself out of your comfort zone, reach deep inside, and let the good come out.
We need to push through the pain and let that beautiful light shine out into this world.
But How?
Good Question – Let’s start with the basics!
We need to create a positive mindset and exercise the concept of mind over matter.
Our minds are powerful. Our thoughts are powerful. We have power over our pain. It’s true! Our positive thoughts have power over our negative thoughts.
You Must Have Determination and Motivation
Determination
A firm or fixed intention to achieve the desired end result.
Merriam-Webster
Motivation
A motivating force, stimulus, or influence
Merriam-Webster
To push through, we need to incorporate a driving force of determination along with our motivational tools.
When I hit rock bottom, I could feel the heaviness of the gremlin’s feet on my chest, and I knew that I needed to snap myself out of it. At first, I really had a tough time of it. Wasn’t it easier to just watch TV and sink into my newly created black hole? Sure, but how does that help?
The decision was made. I wanted out! So, I sought to be surrounded by positive folks both in person and within my social media circles. I found motivation through Podcasts and YouTube videos. It helped, it wasn’t easy, but it helped.
I started feeling like me again, mentally, anyway. My back? Well, we have a ways to go there. No end date for me, but each day is a new day.
Seek balance.
We cannot take our bodies for granted. We just can’t.
We cannot take our minds for granted. We just can’t.
So, with that in mind, you must carve out a little time for mental and physical care each and every day.
- Daily meditation – 10 minutes
- Daily stretching – 10 minutes
- Daily walks – 15 minutes
I’m serious, and that list is just the bare minimum! If you want, get a little fancy – add yoga, pilates, or cross-fit – maybe even prayer, too?
Remember, allow time to heal – take care of your body when it needs it, and take care of your mind when it needs it, too!
OH, and please don’t get all snarky with the “I’m only 30, I don’t need to do that!”
Nonsense – I was 30 once too.
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge
Until next time … Peace and Blessings, Friends!