This is the age-old question of moving on from heart-ache, trauma, argument or regret. We experience this in our personal lives, as well as a country and planet. They are the moments and experiences that reek with a sluggish, sticky residue and seem to haunt our daily thoughts, stirring up doubts, fears and resentment. They carry a sting that strikes into our gut, into the denser web of our nervous system, scarring the way we permanently view the world and ourselves.

You can follow the traditional means of dealing with the unmanageable by:

blaming someone else

drinking

shopping

over-exercising

over-eating

sleeping

pouting

inflicting pain on yourself or someone else

hiding

OR you can try something much more liberating:

Celebrate the Suffering

Call out the spark of learning, growth, opportunity, or vision that has presented itself in the wake of your agony. What can you honor in the midst of the hurting, frustration or shame that you feel? This is more than just looking on the bright side of things. That's superficial and doesn't fully own the value of what has been given to you.

I believe deeply that if we were all to live and work in STUDENT mindset, we would experience less suffering and more joy. Student says, "Why is this happening? What is my role? What can I honor in this?" When we call out something to honor about a painful situation, we are choosing to rename the association. This event NOW equals THIS gift or opportunity. If and when we can truly honor the experience as a BLESSING, and give thanks for that, the stinger is removed. We no longer have to hide, deflect, or blame while we wait for it to fade away. Instead we bring it WAY up into our consciousness, roll it around in our fingers, smell it, listen to it, and then notice how much lighter it is upon loving it. We give thanks for it, as a student, for we can only heal the world by healing ourselves. Be curious. Be grateful. Take the time to hold your own hand and choose to move forward.

Once again the healing rests within us, by fully embracing the perceived negative and transforming it permanently into a truly priceless nutrient for the future.