This morning I read Martha Beck’s thoughts on pain and healing and they resonated with me deeply Soullies. So I’m sharing with you; Martha reminded me that pain is as important a part of our life’s journey as joy and happiness are. Her thoughts remind me of a lot of the words of a very wise teacher of mine. She once counselled me that if nothing else the pain we experience is our teacher. It enables us great compassion for all who cross our paths, allowing us great compassion and insight, connecting us to them and in so doing, connecting us to the circle of life, or universe. Our pain affirms our growth… and that of others. This is because the pain is itself a process, not an ‘end’ point. I love that!!! I hope it means something to you too, and here is what Martha has to say on the whole thing:

“Emotional discomfort, when accepted, rises, crests and falls in a series of waves. Each wave washes a part of us away… Out goes naiveté, in comes wisdom; out goes anger, in comes discernment; out goes despair, in comes kindness. No one would call it easy, but the rhythm of emotional pain that we learn to tolerate is natural, constructive and expansive. . . . The pain leaves you healthier than it found you.” – Martha N. Beck

Amber | www.intothesoul.com

Martha Beck is an American sociologist, life coach, best-selling author, and speaker who specializes in helping individuals and groups achieve personal and professional goals. She holds a bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies and master’s and Ph.D. degrees in sociology, both from Harvard University. Beck is the daughter of deceased LDS Church scholar and apologist, Hugh Nibley. She received national attention after publication in 2005 of her best-seller, Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith in which she recounts her experiences of surviving sexual abuse. In addition to authoring several books, Beck is a columnist for O, The Oprah Magazine.
– Source; Wikipedia