In life, there are always ebbs and flows. Just as the ocean waves have peaks and troughs, so do our life circumstances. We all have stressors in our lives and situations that can bring about pain. They could be physical discomforts, such as stubbing your toe or living with chronic back pain. They could involve emotional upheavals, such as the end of a relationship or a painful past that you have yet to face. There could be financial turmoil or the death of a loved one that prompts you to question your spiritual beliefs.
Many people in my life have recently gone through life-changing circumstances, including myself. The questions are always so similar. How do I get through this? What is this supposed to mean? Which way do I go? I was counseling someone the other day on moving through the pain. I’ve learned that the only way out is through. That literally means being present in full form, taking one day at a time, one step at a time, one breath at a time. It doesn’t mean that you have the answers, and most likely you won’t for some time. It means that you just take the next step in the right direction. That might mean that you commit to getting out of bed every morning, and that’s it.
They say that out of pain comes growth and transformation. It’s difficult to believe when you’re in the midst of it all. However, for many, it is a pivotal time in their lives. It may be the first time that they reflect or ask questions of themselves that they couldn’t have imagined asking. It involves exercising the mind in a completely different way. It may feel sometimes like you’re walking directly into the fire. Elizabeth Lessor, author of the best-seller, “Broken Open”, speaks about this beautifully in her book. When we begin to take the next step in the right direction through our pain, we will eventually begin to feel subtle rises in our soul and in the wave of our lives. **Check in Wednesday for some tips on navigating through stressors and painful times.
Deepali’s Piece of Wellness: Think back to a time in your life that you were in pain – physically, emotionally, or mentally. How did that shape who you’ve become today? Was there anything you learned from it? If you’re in the midst of pain, can you tune into your breath, if only for a few moments?
Wellness Kriya 
I love Elizabeth Lessor and “Broken Open.” I am not personally in the middle of a crisis right now, not that I’m completely unfamiliar with periods when that would describe me, but I have so many friends in deep trouble, personal turmoil and emotional and physical pain. Because I love them I feel sometimes like I’m partially carrying the burden of their trouble, and I need to follow some of the same measures of self-care, simply to keep my personal balance and stay healthy. Being Mindful is more challenging, I think, when we are feeling emotionally drained, and yet it is precisely at these times when we need to tune in and breathe. I told a friend the other day that I admired her ability just to get out of bed in the morning. I appreciate your perspectives and encouragements. I look forward to your next post on this topic. Debra