The Pain of Personal Growth
Posted on May 7, 2008
Filed Under Personal Growth |
I sit here in front of my computer wondering what I could possibly write that would make your life any better and all I can think of is what is going on in my life right now.
I’m working on forgiving my mother.
Yes, you would think that a woman close to 50 years of age might have that one figured out by now but the truth is that we never truly have it all worked out. And, I don’t think that we’re supposed to.
Layers of the Onion
I believe we are on this planet, or physical plane, to learn. And as much as I’d like to think I’ve got some things down, I am reminded about the concept of the layers of the onion. That’s about how you resolve an issue only to have it come around at a later date and on a deeper level. Or another layer of the onion. And you know onions: they make you cry.
And, this is only if you let them. Only with your permission does any of this emoting and growing happen. If we are aware and watchful for these opportunities in our lives, we can take full advantage of the healing potential within each one.
Dropping the Rock
I recently broke off a friendship I had with a woman for over a year and I’m still upset about it half a year later. Why? After I really dug deep and thought it for a bit, it occurred to me that she has some similar traits as my mother. It appears that once I get this particular mommy issue worked out, I can drop this rock I’ve been hauling for the last six months. For me, that means more private journaling and prayer. And pain.
It’s our nature to do our best to avoid feeling pain but, as the adage goes, “pain is the touchstone of all our spiritual growth.” It is not through happy times that I have experienced growth but through the tough ones. And I’ve had enough of them now to say that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It may sound trite but it’s true.
The World is your Oyster
Only by facing an issue and staring straight into it’s jaws, can we wrestle it to the ground. You might get all muddy and bloody but I can tell you this: There is nothing like the feeling of having faced down a problem and come up the other side victorious. You feel like the world is your oyster and you can conquer anything. And the truth is that you can. It just takes guts to face the pain.
Sonia Simone over at Copyblogger tells us to give our reading audience a little pain first and then present the resolution of the previously painful issue. The only solution I can give you is that I’m working on it. And that’s a good thing!
What are you working on?
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5 Responses to “The Pain of Personal Growth”
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I agree that we have to face issues to overcome them. But my goodness how difficult that is sometimes. The mind is so tricky is it not?
Lately I have been stepping up my efforts to try and remain present in my body at all times. You know what I mean: being there for myself to experience what I am feeling, without going off on an emotional tangent.
If we can be present like that, without judging what we feel as good or bad, it is easier to penetrate and resolve issues.
I hope yours resolve beautifully for you
I’m very proud of you!
This is a very mature attitude, and shows you are effectively dealing with issues that you believe need to be dealt with in your life.
You should be proud of you, too!
P.S. Shake it girly! =)
I may not know you but I’m also “proud” of you too. Congratulations on peeling the onion layers and forgive your mother and for recognizing that the split with your friend made you realize that there were some aspects of your mother your friend.
You’re absolutely right - we’re here to learn. I totally get that. I believe it. In fact, I believe each and every one of us are spirits who chose to come to the planet in order to grow from all the experiences we’re having b/c in the spirit world, there’s no growth - everything is perfect there. But on planet earth? Oh no, there’s lots of growing up to do.
Nice post - congrats again.
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