#92: Mixing Love With Pain.
Experiencing pain has proven to be an effective and powerful motivator. What about adding a sip of love to it?
Rich Roll and Steven Pressfield give us a sense of what it takes to achieve transformational change in an inspiring podcast conversation. They refer to it as «hitting bottom» and this is what Pressfield, author of the fabulous book «The War of Art», has to say on it:
«And I do think we have to hit bottom in some sense before we start on any kind of upward course. Because we’re, resistance is so diabolical and it puts us in denial of whatever it is.»
Our ability to handle pain varies largely. To complicate matters, there is no such thing as a general definition of «bottom». It can only be experienced individually.
When I first moved on a few years ago, it didn’t feel like I couldn’t take the pain anymore. It was more like the force that pulled me into an unknown future was stronger than the force of the status quo.
So did I really hit bottom at the time? And where am I now?
Let me quote Pressfield again, but this time out of The War of Art:
«Resistance obstructs movement only from a lower sphere to a higher. It kicks in when we pursue a calling in the arts, launch an innovative enterprise, or evolve to a higher station morally, ethically or spiritually.»
I feel the Resistance (emphasis on the capital R) again.
Having reclaimed a reasonably normal job according to Alpine standards with daily operational responsibilities, I am ready for my next move. I could no doubt keep doing what I do for another year or two, but it wouldn’t move me «from a lower sphere to a higher». Just because I can do it doesn’t mean that I should spend most of my time, energy, creativity and love on it.
I am unable to describe what’s next, but my recent experiences with storytelling and the creation of experiences for others leaves me with a sense that there is more to explore in that space.
It might actually come down to a question of love rather than pain:
«Resistance is directly proportional to love. If you’re feeling massive Resistance, the good news is, it means there is tremendous love there too.»
The recipe to overcoming resistance might actually be a cocktail made with love and pain. I will be mixing those ingredients over the coming few weeks. Curious what sort of magic potion will result from it.
Cheers!
