Experience can be painful sometimes. Our wounds from past relationships, old jobs, spoiled friendships, and current obstacles often inhibit our capacity to try new things, forgive significant others, or get involved with new opportunities and people. The pain we see can often cloud our vision of what love and life can be like. Know that the person you are is strong enough to bear the pain you feel. Pain is a classic teacher and I find that the greatest lessons in life are learned in the midst of heartache. I often hear that love can only be had once a person has gotten over the painful moments he or she experienced in the past. I’m not too certain this is true. Pain is a part of each of life.  Waiting until you are pain free before exploring a new opportunity or chance at love is a fatal mistake. You will be waiting forever! Pain is a necessary part of learning. Human beings are strong creatures. We have the ability to sort out our emotions and feelings while moving into new and exciting spaces. We can find success on our job while dealing with the heartache of losing a relative. We can get married while sorting through our financial hardships. We can graduate college while moving past a hard breakup. 

STOP UNDERESTIMATING YOUR CAPACITY TO HANDLE LIFE. Life is a battlefield. As you win one skirmish, new troops (people that are hating on you and situations out of your control) will come against you. Remind yourself that you are heavily armored and expertly equipped to handle what comes your way. Furthermore, remember that 65% (Don’t quote me, I’m not a statistician) of life’s injuries come from bad choices and personal mistakes. Reflect on how your decisions will affect your life and then order your steps accordingly.  Trust your instincts and act, keeping in mind what’s best for you (and not what you want to be best for you). 

Speak life over your situations. When things are looking a little bleak and negative thoughts are swarming in your head, tell yourself that you can do anything. Your best cheerleader is and will always be YOU! Tell yourself that you are fully capable to handle all that life throws at you and you can come back from the terrible mistakes you’ve made and the major slip ups you’ve had. Pain is a normal occurrence in the cycle of life. It is also an excellent and brutal teacher. Your strength and capacity to persevere and prevail are reinforced by what you learn from your pain and your durability and robustness supersedes the strength of anything that will cause you pain. You are a trooper.