Reflecting on 2013 with my Awesome Mother a few days ago in my old home city of Melbourne (Australia). We both have overcome many life threatening situations and she agrees with “No Pain, No Gain” for sure. Always listen to your mother!
I woke up this morning with my lovely Cat / Human Resources Manager sleeping next to me and before she attacked me, I was reflecting on 2013 being the turnaround year for my life.
One interesting thing that has me reflecting is that in 2013, it has been emotionally a very painful year. Very up and down with long-term relationships ending, me dealing with being single, having “Close Friends” (some who I knew for years) turn on me, recalling painful memories of my Government Days of losing close friends in battle (including one very special female friend I think of to this day) and painful inward reflection.
Even though it is painful, this is the happiest I have been in my life and 2013 to me marks a turnaround for me in my life. My big lesson here is that:
– No Pain, No Gain.
Obviously this is a cliche rooted in exercise, but to me this such a powerful distinction which to me sums up my 2013. What has changed for me in 2013 is that early on I decided to confront all my issues head on. Years of mediocrity stacked up and I told myself:
– Time to Pay my Price for being mediocre.
That thinking led to very intense decisions made on my part. I was in lots of positions where I was very “Numb” to the pain, and very unhappy. So I thought that’s it, from the first day of 2013 I put myself through as much pain as I could handle mentally and drove to improve myself everyday. Small Baby Steps of course!
The result to me has been amazing, all areas of my life have improved dramatically – Physical, Health, Funding, Relationships, Friends, Spirituality / God and the like. The most rewarding paths in life are usually the ones least traveled and in reflecting back, I know exactly why my life used to suck:
– I was afraid to take pain head on.
I am very happy with my position now in 2013 and boy it has been a painful and not easy path. So my big lesson for 2014 and to start it right is don’t just take the easiest path because it’s easy, if the most painful path will get the best result then that is the path I will take. I think “Constructive Pain” (e.g. exercise fatigue, having a difficult conversation to help someone etc) is the perfect way to go for building satisfaction and creating something new.
To close this day and welcome in 2014 I would like to quote my old Childhood (and adulthood hero) William Shatner here if I may:
– “You have to create your life. You have to carve it, like a sculpture.” – William Shatner
That is pure gold and thank you everyone in my life for a brilliant 2013. I wish you the best for 2014. If I haven’t met you yet, or if we never meet – I wish you well too. I hope you have just a brilliant year near year full of “Constructive Pain” and Success. Thank you from Edward Zia!
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