Nobody likes pain! Sometimes it just comes with the territory!
So why in the world would anyone in their right mind bring more of it into their life? Yet, isn’t that w hat we risk every time we allow ourselves to care deeply about someone or something? If you’re going to jump into life feet first, live it with gusto, and be willing to grow and change, then you’ve also got to be willing to take some risks … and to open yourself to the whole game: pain and triumph, loss and gain. Of course, some discomfort is unavoidable … that’s where the power of your mind comes in.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7-X1lvStY0[/youtube]
Maintaining a positive mindset will carry you
through your personal storm,
like a sturdy boat on the ocean.
But Is It True? … No Pain, No Gain?
I’m not really sure I agree with that classic, and perhaps outdated, gym philosophy. I think it’s possible to grow and change and experience enormous gains in life without pain. However, it makes sense to be prepared and to have a strategy for dealing with uncomfortable … and yes, even painful … experiences when they do arise. Because, this is LIFE and there will always be a mixed bag of blessings, including lots of bliss, joy, laughter and even pain.
The beauty of pain is that it can be a great teacher. If you want to avoid it however, pay close attention and you just might be able to learn as much from other people’s difficulties as from your own. Some of the lessons might even surprise you. But of course, you already know that. Right?
Growing Pains
Here’s a short story about one of my favorite people, my Uncle J.W.. He was a tall, good-looking, athletic and very successful man by the time I knew him. But as a kid, he spent some extended time in bed one summer, driven there by terrible pain in his legs. The cause? Growing pains! His intense physical activity during the day brought on extreme pain in his leg muscles. It hurt to walk! He was having a major growth spurt and by the end of that year he had grown 6 inches!
The experience turned out to be a temporary symptom and minor glitch in the life of a normal, growing child. Though it was terribly uncomfortable at the time, the simple remedies of loving care, rest and patience were all that was required to help him, quite literally, get back on his feet.
I’ve thought of that many times as I’ve contemplated the occasional agonies of growth – physical, emotional and spiritual. Sometimes, we just get out of step with our own growth cycles, despite our best efforts and all we can do is get some rest as we rejuvenate and prepare for the next big surge ahead.
It’s NOT the time to give up on dreams or goals!
Patience with your own process will carry you through!
Growing a child, a garden or a career are all excellent and long-term projects – with many phases along the way. Sometimes it seems like time almost stands still and not much happens … and then all of a sudden a child outgrows 2 pairs of shoes in one summer, the garden bursts into blossom as the days heat up, and the career that has suffered early setbacks takes off like a racehorse!
Cycles Of Life
Yesterday’s difficult transition becomes the story that helps you make it up the mountain tomorrow. Today’s triumph soothes and mends you after your next disappointment. Life is a cycle. The worthy challenge is to keep moving forward! Building on past experience yields endless rewards.
Aligning your efforts within a community, or tribe, allows you the opportunity to magnify your efforts, your joys and your troubles – transforming them all into future victories.
I’d love to hear what you think about these ideas. Please leave me a comment and if you feel inspired, share this with your friends. Also, if you haven’t already done so, please sign in above to receive my free gift to you: Secret Path To Success and The 7 Secrets of Creative Transformation.
Love, Light & Blessings,
Buff Elting
February 10th, 2010 at 1:54 AM
Buff! this is excellent advice! I feel like I am having major growing pains all the time these days, and keeping in mind that it is all part of the cycle really does help my mind find assurance. Thank you Buff, a wonderful insight from a wonderful friend!
Charge fellow Crusader!
-Clay
.-= Clay Eudaly´s last blog ..$3.1 Million For 30 Seconds?! Man Its Good To Be An Internet Marketer =-.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:47 AM
Hi Buff,
I couldn’t agree with you more. Each painful experience that I’ve gone through has either taught me a valuable lesson or eventually led to me being in a better place – either physically or mentally.
This belief is wide spread among those of us who live our lives with a positive mind set, and helps us to grow and prosper. Unfortunately, there are many who come from a place of negativity and never allow themselves to look past the pain – they seem to enjoy dwelling in it.
My hope is that we can spread our message of love and joy to others, and help to create positive mind shifts in those who are stuck in negativity. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Kathy Jodrey´s last blog ..How To Add Facebook Fan Page to Blog In Less than 5 Minutes =-.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:32 PM
This is my first time visiting your blog and I’m glad I got to read something with some thought behind it. You’re right life is about building on your past experience both successes and failures. One thing I learned about life is….there is no getting there, everything it could ever be exist in this moment.
Thanks,
-Karl City Sylvester
.-= Karl City Sylvester´s last blog ..Part 1: Round House Kick Your Personal Brand into Action! =-.
February 13th, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Buff,
As Dr. Dyer says it (paraphrasing), out of every adversity there is a blessing. Sometimes it is very hard to see at the time, but in retrospect, perhaps years later, you’ll see the positive side.
I enjoy the creativity of your blog. It speaks of your talented artistry.
.-= Darlene Davis´s last blog ..Mega Lessons From Ted Turner =-.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:34 PM
WOW! Excellent post Buff.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us all.
Far to many people give up on their goals and dreams.
It is like they loose their faith and belief that they are possible.
It is through great faith and action that we can all live the life that we are created to have.
Thanks again.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
February 19th, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Buff,
Very good post and I’m sure a lot of people can really relate to this post. As you mentioned, you have to go through pain in order to become more.
I know when we first moved away from all our friends and family it wasn’t easy. But with out going through that process, we wouldn’t be where we are today! Meeting great people like yourself.
Thanks for your friendship!
Dave and Dawn
.-= Dave and Dawn´s last blog ..Do You Know Where You Are Going? =-.
February 19th, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Hey Buff! You are so dead right on with this post. There’s so much insight in knowing that pain truly is a part of ALL growing experiences. To feel pain for only pain is such a tragic loss, when you don’t learn the lesson behind it.
Love the childbirth experience part. Yes, I have wondered several times what I’ve gotten myself into, but you’re so right, it is so worth it. I just tucked in my 19 year old daughter because she’s not feeling good. Some would think I was crazy, but the pain is all a part of the process!
Thanks for all your insight and wisdom. Kind of reminds me of the cocoon and the butterfly. He has to go through the pain all by himself to break free and become a beautiful butterfly. If somone helps him or tries to make it easier, he dies. Now there’s a lesson!
.-= Debbie Wood´s last blog ..Tribe Internet Organization 101 =-.