I Earned it!

August 29, 2024 - "I want to remember the good. I want to find a new path. I don't want to get over it as much as grow from it. Learn from what I've been through. Embrace it, in a weird way. The idea of getting over it implies a kind of excision. I don't want to have the scar removed. I earned it."

Working Class, Nathan Lowell

Change or die

What's the purpose of pain?

Do I really want to be "over it?

Do I really need to feel pain?

Pain serves as a vital warning system for our bodies and minds, alerting us when something is amiss and prompting us to take action. From a biological perspective, pain is a signal that we must adapt or face dire consequences. This concept extends beyond physical discomfort to emotional and psychological pain as well.

Our experiences, particularly the challenging ones, shape us profoundly. The scars we accumulate, both literal and figurative, become testaments to our journey and the wisdom we've gained along the way. These marks of experience mold our character, influencing not just our physical appearance but our mental and emotional landscapes as well.

Pain, though often unwelcome, is an essential catalyst for growth. It pushes us to confront our limitations, learn from our experiences, and evolve. Without facing adversity, we might never fully appreciate the good times or develop the resilience necessary to navigate life's complexities.

Imagine your death

The awareness of pain and mortality can be a powerful motivator, driving us to seek meaning and purpose in our lives. By confronting our mortality – imagining our death and the emotions it evokes – we can gain a new perspective on life. This exercise in facing our deepest fears can be transformative, empowering us to overcome other challenges.

As the saying goes, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." This philosophy implies that every obstacle we encounter serves as an opportunity for personal growth and development. By surviving and learning from our hardships, we become more resilient and better equipped to tackle future challenges.

Who you are = What you were + What you've learned

Our identities are shaped by the sum of our experiences and the lessons we've drawn from them. Our past and ability to learn and adapt form the essence of who we are. This continuous process of growth and change makes each individual unique and valuable.

As Will Rogers wisely noted, "Good judgement comes from experience and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." This humorous yet profound observation highlights the importance of learning from our mistakes and the experiences that challenge us.

Without a doubt, pain and adversity are difficult to endure, yet they play crucial roles in our personal development. They catalyze change, prompting us to adapt, learn, and grow. By embracing our positive and negative experiences, we can extract valuable lessons that pave the way for continuous growth and self-improvement. Rather than seeking to erase our past or "get over" our challenges, we can choose to integrate these experiences into our narratives, allowing them to inform and strengthen our future selves.

So... "Change or die."

— Thomas Edgley (and others)