What is my pain telling me?
Hey guys – Amy here and I want to look at how emotional, mental, and physical pain can be messengers, how their presence or absence shapes us and maybe find more freedom in all areas. What are we listening to and how are we perceiving those messages?
I know for me, pain is often a reminder to slow down, to ensure I’m nourishing myself well – with rest, stretching, therapy – whatever is needed. It also reminds me I can’t do things by my own strength. For me, this means reliance on God, prayer and trusting the power of the Holy Spirit. I know we don’t all hold the same beliefs but I do know most of you believe in a higher power, divine intuition, the universe or other labels. Try not to get hung up on the labels and stay with me for a minute (my exact story is down below😉)
I also know that when everything is going great in my life, I often forget to ask for help – so here’s the thought that got my attention today: How can I stay reliant on his provision and grace without needing reminders in the form of pain, stress or conflicts/problems?
Do NOT hear what I’m not saying. I’m not saying God brings those issues for that reason. It’s just human nature.
We don’t actually want pain, but we do want the awareness that comes with what pain forces us to look at. The goal isn’t just to silence the alarm, it’s to figure out why it’s ringing. So how can we enhance that superpower without subconsciously creating pain and problems in our lives? How can we focus on the light breaking through without being consumed with the darkness?
- Breathing. This could absolutely stand alone as an activity where you do a four count inhale and eight count exhale or even box breathing f inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4 and hold 4. Endless ways to work on deeper belly breathing.
- Ball. If you’ve been a client, you are very familiar with the self release balls that we give you for your home program. They are ideal for creating just enough soft but firm pressure so the body can shift and release or unwind around the ball. Stop in today to request one😍
- Movement. Our bodies are made to move and stay healthiest when we find ways to move them. Exercise is often one of the sources of both mental and physical pain as our brain often objects. Now, more than ever, it’s possible to find something you LOVE – or at least don’t hate!🤩 How is that working for or against you currently?
When we can get into a posture of listening, we can slow down, feel and respond – instead of react!
Some things that help me with this are yin yoga, prayer, certain music and being in nature. It’s even part of why I have a fountain in my treatment space.
What works for you?
Growth can happen in any environment. Pain often reveals something underneath that otherwise might stay hidden. Are we willing to face it? How can we experience growth without pressure, pain or other stressors?
If you want the whole story for me, I was working on a patient and praying (I do that a lot if you didn’t know). It keeps me grounded and focused on a curious, listening posture so I’m present and clear.
Anyway, God gave me a picture of a horse and taking the reins off the horse, but he cautioned me that there has to be complete and total trust and listening between the horse and rider for that to not end in disaster. For there to be freedom and victory requires constant listening, feeling and obeying. It was an invitation. A big question I’ve been exploring this past year is what is needed for my baseline state to be one of joy, peace, and contentment?
I feel a big part of that is this invitation to hear without the ever-so-common prompt of pain. What are some ways you’ve felt emotional, physical or mental pain create a fork in the road? A choice? An invitation to shift?
Would love to hear your thoughts or lessons 💖
Blessings,
Amy and the MOT family
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