Embracing Pain to Find the Light
I recently went through one of the darkest times of my life. I felt hopeless, depressed, and worthless. Even though I was always surrounded by people who loved me, I couldn’t see it clearly. The darkness I was in prevented me from seeing things as they truly were. During those moments, I even contemplated ending it all. Nothing seemed to make me feel better, and no matter how much I tried — and others tried — to help me, it wasn’t working.
It wasn’t until I decided to lean into the pain that I could finally move through it. Although it took time and a lot of work, I can now say that I’m on the other side of darkness. Every tear I shed and all the pain I felt served a purpose.
I’ve come to realize that every ounce of suffering we go through has meaning. Rather than avoiding pain, we must lean into it, no matter how difficult it gets. On the other side of that pain and suffering lies a place you may never have experienced. We must face our demons head-on. We are capable of withstanding anything that life throws at us. Believe in yourself and know that you can get through anything life has in store for you.
Even though I’m sharing this now, nothing in my life has really changed. The job market is still terrible, the housing market is still tough, the political world is in shambles, and I might lose my job soon. So, while nothing around me has changed, my mindset has — and that’s what matters. Because of it, I know I’ll conquer any obstacle in front of me.
This isn’t something I discovered overnight. I’ve been working for years to get here, but I hadn’t put it into practice. I’ve read countless books, watched videos, and tailored all my content toward a healthier mindset, but it wasn’t until I applied it that I began to realize the benefits of my hard work.
I’m writing this not to worry you or to seek sympathy but as an acknowledgment of how far I’ve come. We need to remember to FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE, not FACE EVERYTHING AND RUN. I am filled with love and compassion for myself, something I’d never felt before.
May you find your inner peace and recognize how lucky you are to be alive — because I know I am. ❤️ I wish this feeling for all of you.