I’ll be honest. My brain’s numb right now. Lots of dependencies, commitments, obligations and a task list that just never stops growing. Whoever said “growth” is good surely didn’t have a checklist in mind… or maybe they did.
Nonetheless, it’s darn hard to keep your head up with times are tough. And each time I whine about how bad things are for me or some of my loved ones, I’m reminded of The Law of Pain from the 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.
It’s a simple concept — good management of bad experiences leads to greater growth.
I remember being “let go” from my first ever corporate job led me to commit to being not just a good employee but a freaking great one! I remember how being refused a loan by a close relative led me to think deeply about my life and transition from having a great job to having a great career.
And yes, things could’ve clearly gone wrong but I somehow made a choice. As much as I could’ve avoided those experiences I gained the most by facing them squarely and make some of the most important decisions of my life. It was uncomfortable but how I dealt with those experiences define who I am today.
I’m not the richest, not the wisest, not the most successful but I feel I’m the most blessed for whatever I have today. Heck, I’d feel the same way even if I had credit card debt! Because I’ve learned to turn those experiences around and glean the lessons that invariably make me a better person. And if I can do it once, I can do it over and over again.
John Maxwell says, “allow your emotions to be the catalyst for change, think through how to change to make sure you are making good choices, and then take action.” That’s the most valuable advice if you’ve ever thought “how” to turn your painful experiences into victories.
Someone wise once said, “A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless, of course, you fail to make the turn.”
And you better keep your eyes on the road, the turn is just around the corner.