1. Alan has completed the new Pain Recovery Program. To read or share it, use this updated link: https://www.tmswiki.org/forum/painrecovery/
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Thread:
New Program Day 7: Pressure and Criticism
We seem to be so similar some of us, and others not so much.
For me, it's like peeling a never-ending onion that has lots of rewards and some setbacks. So long as I trust that my greater Self (soul, higher power, whatever it is that's bigger than my ego) can absorb the anxiety and get me through it, so long as I tell someone the truth about how bonkers I feel, so long as I trust that no feeling is permanent, so long as I don't act out to numb the anxiety and block my development, I have to believe that every feeling comes in service to our growth. That bears repeating: Every Feeling Comes In Service To Our Growth. If I were never anxious, I would be the most arrogant woman! I have achieved tremendous success! I have a wonderful life! If I floated around grateful and perfect all the time, I would not be human (except that, like everyone, I must age). Did you ever read Rumi's "The Guest House"? He was a poet in 13th Century Persia.
I will copy and paste it here.

The Guest House


This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

— Jellaludin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks