For times when you feel pain

There are and will be times when you’ll look back and think,

“How did I get here? Why did I do exactly what I said I wouldn’t?”

Moments when it’s hard to believe that was you back there — the one who chose excess over temperance, comfort over courage, and indulgence over discipline. It’s disappointing to remember and embarrassing to admit — but it was you all along.
Now, in the aftermath, things aren’t pretty, but they are fair, for it is only fair to meet the consequences of your actions. Fair and square. Cause and effect —a law of the universe to which none of us are immune to. Yet, despite knowing this law, when facing the uncomfortable truth of your own doings you still find yourself starstruck as if you didn’t know that what you were about to do would have consequences. Consequences you knew you weren’t gonna like.

It’s funny how we purposefully choose to ignore our best judgment when we most need it.

Now, after your poor choices summoned your current, unpleasant reality, you feel upset, disappointed, and helpless.

Fortunately, you still have yourself and all the tools, knowledge, and wisdom acquired through past experiences. Confusing and painful times brought about by poor decisions don’t disgrace you. Self-pitying, wallowing in your own misery by unnecessarily magnifying and prolonging the pain from overly focusing on it, that disgraces and degrades you.

Savor and feel the pain just enough to remember how much it sucks to be there— so you go the other way next time. Then, let go of that pain and move on. You either do that or fall in love with your pain, magnifying it so as to justify the fact that you’re doing nothing to make things better. Cowardice disguised as pain.