Good Pain

Choices come and choices go, but the consequences of the choices I make keep on giving. Right choices, whenever those are accomplished, often provide positive consequences, so I make that same choice each time the situation is presented, like ordering a chocolate almond shake at Braums.

Sometimes, right choices result in negative consequences, like choosing to stand up to a bully and finding yourself with a bloody nose, a few missing teeth and a damaged ego. Of course, some would say those aren't negative consequences at all, but rather, positive consequences since the right thing was done and a lesson was learned (don't stand up to bullies? standing up to bullies is painful? standing up to bullies result in positive, painful consequences? -- positive painful -- an oxymoron?).

I have found that most people equate pain with "bad." To them, there is no such thing as good pain. The closest thing to good pain, it seems, is pain that helps us be vain, as in, "I am in pain from working out, but now I can wear those pants and look better." That's physical pain. Emotional pain -- BAD!

If my choices create pain in me or in others, that's BAD! Well, I think there is such a thing as good pain, useful pain. What is that? Probably pain that helps me grow up. And somewhat like the song says -- "breaking up is hard to do," -- growing up is hard to do, too. It takes good pain. And good pain comes from choices. How often do I choose to make choices that I know will result in "good pain?"