Pain is a funny thing. No one wishes it upon themselves, but life isn’t life without it. I just spent the past three hours doubled-over from unexplainable stomach spasms; the pain was paralyzing and excruciating. I typically get one of these “attacks” once a year and they always bring to me to tears, making me thankful that I have my mom on speed-dial for sympathy. I have seen specialists, tried to analyze why the spasms happen on these particular days, and have even reconstructed my entire diet in an effort to prevent an attack, but they still happen. It’s a kind reminder to me that in life, pain is inevitable.
I hate every second of these stomach attacks and I always fear that the crippling pain will never go away, dooming myself to life in a fetal position. As the pain slowly (too slowly) subdues, and as the tears dry up on my cheekbones, I end up feeling ineffably grateful for my health. I know that tomorrow, when I go for my daily run, it will fill me with more joy and freedom than it could have ever before, for it is not until something as basic as moving your body is taken away from you that you are able to appreciate the freedom found in physical movement.
Pain is the most poignant physical reminder that we are fragile. It is only after recognizing our own fragility through pain that we are able to truly appreciate and rejoice in pleasure. Whether your pain is physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental, it willsubside. As it does, look forward to the new-found freedom of living that you will be able to enjoy. I myself cannot wait to wake up and enjoy my run tomorrow