It’s here and it will always be here regardless of where we are, who we are, or what path our life ends up taking us. Pain is present and it is real, whether it be the loss of a loved one, the poignant yet bitter reminisce of a broken heart, or even the slip of paper resulting in a stinging sensation that bites your nerve to the core. Pain is a reality, and as stated in [Part I] we, as humans, have been blessed with a breathtaking and intricate system of life that brings to our attention nearly every sensation, both the pleasant and the unpleasant.
As a side note, although the subject of the inevitability of pain (refer to [Part I]) merits further attention, I shall refrain from digging deeper for now. Also, if you have read this far, then you perhaps might see some sense in what I have said, or at least are still interested to some extent. If this is true, then I believe it is fair to assume that you agree with what I have to say, and so I will speak now as though this were the case.
It is safe to say that we have now come close to coming to terms with the fact that pain is inevitable. It is here and [always] will be. Now how must we deal with it? What are we to do? Pain is difficult, and if I have to deal with it, then how should I deal with it?
As is true for eliminating pain, there is no right way of dealing with pain either.
However, one word has changed my entire outlook on pain and that word is perspective.
"Perspective: The faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship. A mental view or prospect." - Dictionary.com
Dealing with pain through personal perspective has seemed to progress consistently through a series of steps that I had not intentionally implemented in my own lifestyle, but had observed over time, not only in the way I respond to pain, but also in the lives of others who seem to have a fair grasp on it. The progression looks somewhat similar to this.
- Pain is real and unavoidable.
- ^ It is alright that this is how it has to be ^
- ^ It could always be worse than my current situation ^
- And ^ It is going to be okay in the end ^
Each of these bullet points deals in absolutes. Meaning this:
- Pain is [always] real and [always] unavoidable.
- ^ It is [always] alright that this is how it has to be ^
- ^ It could always be worse than my current situation ^
- And ^ It is [always] going to be okay in the end ^
You may be thinking, "How dare he make such blanket statements about such a sensitive topic! After all, he is barely eighteen years of age and has hardly any life experience yet. He has no concept of what pain really is." And if you are one of the people thinking this, then I ask you to do one thing.
Keep reading.
I too recognize that I am young of age and still have much to learn yet, however, I remind you that these few collections of my words are only my humble thoughts and opinions. I do not confess to know everything. I do not have all the answers. And whether you agree or disagree is for you to decide. But if one person hears what I has to say and understands their own life, and their own struggles, and their own pain more clearly, even in the smallest way, then I will have succeeded in my intentions in writing this.
Carrying on.
After recognizing the veracity of each of the above statements, I realized in my mind that pain was not such a pressing issue after all. There is nothing that I can do about it happening (1), and that's okay (2). Somehow, despite my miserable condition, it can always be worse (3). And in the end, everything will be alright (4).
"Everything will be alright."
It was in this statement that I recognized how misleading this can be. Everything will be alright. Then will the pain always go away? The answer is no. Pain may not ever leave you. In fact, the majority of my direct thoughts involved with this progression stemmed from a time when I was dealing with pain that was caused by someone else, either intentionally or unintentionally.
And the hurt and ache that accompanies that has a mysterious and perplexing way of lingering in my life.
Someone has caused me pain. It's alright, because pain is inevitable (1), and I am content with that (2). Although I am suffering, there are some ways in which it could still be even more hurtful, and I am thankful that this is not the case (3). And it's going to be alright in the end (4)..
But I do not feel alright. It's here, and I realize that, but how can it all be alright when I still feel pain?
It hurts still. Now what?
Pain.
Perspective..
Keep reading.
I too recognize that I am young of age and still have much to learn yet, however, I remind you that these few collections of my words are only my humble thoughts and opinions. I do not confess to know everything. I do not have all the answers. And whether you agree or disagree is for you to decide. But if one person hears what I has to say and understands their own life, and their own struggles, and their own pain more clearly, even in the smallest way, then I will have succeeded in my intentions in writing this.
Carrying on.
After recognizing the veracity of each of the above statements, I realized in my mind that pain was not such a pressing issue after all. There is nothing that I can do about it happening (1), and that's okay (2). Somehow, despite my miserable condition, it can always be worse (3). And in the end, everything will be alright (4).
"Everything will be alright."
It was in this statement that I recognized how misleading this can be. Everything will be alright. Then will the pain always go away? The answer is no. Pain may not ever leave you. In fact, the majority of my direct thoughts involved with this progression stemmed from a time when I was dealing with pain that was caused by someone else, either intentionally or unintentionally.
And the hurt and ache that accompanies that has a mysterious and perplexing way of lingering in my life.
Someone has caused me pain. It's alright, because pain is inevitable (1), and I am content with that (2). Although I am suffering, there are some ways in which it could still be even more hurtful, and I am thankful that this is not the case (3). And it's going to be alright in the end (4)..
But I do not feel alright. It's here, and I realize that, but how can it all be alright when I still feel pain?
It hurts still. Now what?
Pain.
Perspective..
There is one piece missing [ .. continued in Part III ].
- Michael Stephen
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