Hello and welcome to spring in this part of the world.

Since it's the time of year for fresh starts and new possibilities, let's reconsider our concept of pain. No, I'm not talking about chronic, relentless, debilitating pain. I'm talking about the "dings" and "hits" we take throughout the day. You know, the ones that can turn into "pain" if and when we let them. 

These are the moments we hold onto and can't / won't let go of; the grudges we nurture; the motivation and driving force(s) that keep us in the loop of hurt, sorrow, anger, disappointment, fill in the blank...

We've all been there more than once or even twice. To me, it's not unlike being caught by a thorn or a bramble. There's the initial sting that tells me, for whatever reason, I'm being pulled up short. And just like in nature, when I wrestle with it or try to pull away, I can end up bleeding. 

Now let's move beyond metaphors and remember that most pain is just a sensation. Period. We tend to load it with all kinds of thoughts, fears, memories, what ifs, and chatter. That's the wrestling. 

Instead, the practice is to recognize the moment, stay present, access and then utilize our resources. For example, it might involve recalling previous experiences, conversing with the sensation itself or simply breathing mindfully. The key is not to get stuck in the throes of the situation.

Can you "Be Smarter Than Your Pain"? (2:17)