Opportunity

Whether or not we deal with chronic pain, we all face problems. This is the nature of life. I've never known anyone to skate through life problem-free. Problems can be a source of evolution for us, challenging us to reach for new heights, call upon our resources and develop new resources. Eventually, through dealing with problems we may find ourselves at an evolved level of functioning. Issues that used to seem insurmountable no longer distress us. We have navigated through them and now know the way.

Viewing life in this way, we may become eager to flex our problem-solving muscles, hoping that as we grow chronologically, we also grow in wisdom and capability. This can be true for those dealing with chronic pain. After all, we have a subset of problems that the general population does not face. We can actually use our pain as a means of growth and evolution. To use pain to develop patience, equanimity, and compassion is a wonderful thing. Strengthening our character in this way is a service both to ourselves and others.

Another use for pain is to gain greater control over our own minds and our perception of pain. Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche in his wonderful book, The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness, discusses this more Eastern approach to pain. He relates how his father deals with pain through controlling his own mind in a story that simply inspires wonder.

I don't make light of my pain. I'm not happy that I have it. Though it's kind of hard to remember what it was like before pain, if I had a choice, I would definitely choose not to have it. But since I do have it, I might as well make the most of it. It's empowering to look upon it as an opportunity to grow and to choose to take advantage of that opportunity.