The Journey Together from Pain to Purpose

Let's face it..you are here because you want more out of your life. You sense there is a greater purpose for your existence and you want to know how to find it or where to start in finding it. First of all we must believe there is a reason for our existence.

Mankind has always nurtured a desire for self-improvement and development through understanding and enlightenment since the beginning of civilization. That desire is at the very core of our being. Answering the call to discover our life's purpose is the first step in unveiling the discovery of this seemingly elusive version of ourselves we'd love to meet one day. The process of this journey is sure to develop you for the better in more ways than one. It is the becoming (process) that is greater than what is to come (result). I will say that again. The process is better than the result! Focusing on the process instead of the end result will make this a less grueling journey.

Are you pleased with where you are? Do you long for more? Do you feel like you're running in circles getting nowhere? If you don't like your answers, then a shift needs to take place. But that is easier said than done. What exactly is a shift? A shift is simply a change whether its in direction, tendency or position.  Again easier said than done!

Our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes shape our actions and behaviors, thereby creating patterns or a paradigm that's hard to break. So in order to break these habits and shift our paradigm, we must change the thoughts, belief systems, and attitudes that got us there in the first place. No longer are the days where we make a physical change to address emotional and mental trauma. We've tried it and it we found out it doesn't work!  We've been adorning the most beautiful hairstyles with negative mindsets and thought patterns. So where does that get us? Nowhere but back to the salon to outdo the last hairstyle you had. Then there are some of us that mask our trauma in other ways, like numerous dead end relationships, binge eating, tv binging, bitterness, control issues, and even through goals and endeavors. 

In helping you make those adjustments I want us to first observe how we perceive pain or the challenge of change. With the pain of challenges, trauma, discomfort and the like, most times we resist these tools that can actually improve the quality of our lives. Yes, I referred to them as tools. That's the shift in perspective I had to take to change my direction.  Pain in and of itself brings change in our lives, but how we perceive it determines what type of change occurs. A change that makes us bitter or better?

I vote for the latter. That's why we are here, right?  We want to become better. But many of us aren't cognizant of how we respond to adversity and how that response shapes our lives. Most times our response is in a way that feels most "comfortable" to us.  But where has that comfort gotten us? Great things never come from comfort zones. So here is a start in new ways to perceive our pain.

1. Growth through Adversity: Just as a diamond is formed under immense pressure, our inner strength and resilience are refined through the crucible of pain and suffering. These trials challenge us to grow, adapt, and evolve, enabling us to discover untapped reservoirs of strength we never knew existed within us.

2. Empathy and Connection: Pain and suffering bridge the gap between individuals, reminding us of our shared vulnerability as humans. When we open up about our struggles, we create connections built on empathy and understanding, forming bonds that can provide profound solace and companionship.

3. Transcending Materialism: Suffering can strip away the superficial layers of our lives, allowing us to reevaluate our priorities. In moments of hardship, we often find that the pursuit of material wealth pales in comparison to the pursuit of inner peace, genuine relationships, and personal growth.

4. Fueling Creativity: Many works of art, literature, and music that have stood the test of time were born from the depths of suffering. Pain can serve as a wellspring of creativity, enabling us to channel our emotions into expressions that resonate with others and capture the complexity of the human experience.

5. The Beauty of Resilience: There is a unique beauty in the resilience displayed by those who have faced adversity and emerged stronger. The scars of past struggles become badges of honor, demonstrating the capacity of the human spirit to endure and overcome.

6. A Catalyst for Change: Suffering often serves as a catalyst for positive change, motivating individuals and societies to address injustices, promote compassion, and work towards a better world. The pain experienced by one can ignite a flame of determination to prevent others from enduring the same.

While often perceived as negative, pain and suffering possess a unique beauty that shapes our character, deepens our understanding, and allows us to appreciate the brighter moments that follow whereby a greater purpose that leads us to our life's purpose, is birthed in us.

"The two most important days of our lives are the day we were born, and the day we find out why." ~Mark Twain