Growing Through Pain

I was reading an article in Yoga Journal magazine today called, "Wishful Thinking," by Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad. I recently subscribed to this magazine to complement my yoga practice. I've subscribed to the magazine before, but it seems to be richer since I am actively involved in the practice of yoga.

In the article, I found a great quote about how pain helps us to grow.  The subtitle to the article is: Desires often run our lives. Understand them and learn to seek pleasures that enhance your sense of well-being." Here is a quote from this article that spoke to me:

"Pain plays as important a role as pleasure does in life's dramas. Life is change, and one changes either by growing or by becoming more rigid. Real growth often involves periods of confusion, discomfort, pain, and even suffering before a new direction evolves. In almost every life there are moments when you look back and say to yourself, "I've really grown."

Upon looking carefully at the process that brought about the growth, you realize it was rarely free from pain and suffering: In fact, the feelings gave the feedback that showed you something was not working. Without them, there would have been no motivation to change. Pain, like necessity, is the mother of invention."

As I move through stages of confusion, discomfort, pain, and possibly suffering, I hope to remember this wisdom to help me grow through...and create change.