Pain....

As I sit and look back over the last 10 years of my life - I have a lot of truly great memories. There are memories that are simply sad and I have a lot of painful memories.  When we look back, our memories that were good, we cherish and relive.  When we have a bad memory that is sad or painful, we tend to want to simply forget.  We just want that thought - that memory to go away.  We only think about the negative aspects of pain, we do not typically find anything positive in it.  For me, I know I tend to learn more from pain than from pleasure (maybe it's my stubborn nature). If you get hurt (whether physically or emotionally) chances are - you will try to figure out what you have done wrong, and correct your actions so it does not happen again.  For example, if you have a failed relationship - when it ends, there will be pain.  But.... it doesn't mean that nothing good will come from that pain.  What if you ended an engagement, yes... the initial action is painful - but it is a lot less painful than a divorce years down the road.  Or... if you are suffering from physical pain, it could be an indication that you might have an undiagnosed problem.  Since you are suffering from pain, that could lead you to go to the doctor and have them examine you - and be able to correct the issue.  I am a believer that just the passage of time will not fix pain.  You may have to take corrective action for the pain to subside.  You may have to ask for forgiveness, there may need to be a reconciliation in a relationship.  Although, you may want to avoid emotional pain - you cannot live your life avoiding relationships.  Although some people may cause you pain - others will bring friendship, meaning and purpose into your life. I believe that in order for us to truly appreciate what life has to offer, you have to experience pain - you must take the good with the bad. The key is for you as a person, to figure out how to deal with your pain, and not be a pain towards others!