Friday, August 13, 2010

Pain is only weakness leaving the body.

This weekend, a film maker friend of mine, Jeremy, asked me excitedly to remind him of “that thing you Navy SEALs say.”
I had to scroll through a handful of our mental tools before I landed on the quote he was after.
“Pain is only weakness leaving the body.”
The following day, Jeremy told me he’d been telling people about this tool we use in the SEAL Teams.
Like many people, Jeremy has seen ups and downs in his business. And sometimes the downs can, well, they can hurt.
A mental tool that can help us navigate through these periods where we perceive loss, stress, pressure, doubt and uncertainty is the reminder that Pain is only weakness leaving the body.
Most often, what we perceive as pain is unfulfilled ego-attachment.
Yes, there are truly painful times in our lives.
But ask yourself: what percentage of your pain is real and what is ego-based?
(Caution: be intentionally objective in your personal assessment.)
If you stop and look at the lives of others who’ve truly made something of themselves, you’ll see there were multiple moments of “pain” during their lifetime that helped them become the person they are today.
When you stop to look at your own life, where you experience pain –what percentage would you say is something that you can grow through by allowing some “weakness” to leave your body?
You’ll find that these weaknesses draw you to the reactive side of your life.
When you are purposeful, the pain you experience is so different.
Perhaps the pain feels even greater –but you persevere knowing that you are doing your best to be true to your plan and your bigger picture.
You know you are on the right path.

A call to action:
Today, identify one-form of “pain” you have and consciously go through it knowing that a weakness is leaving your body. Maybe…
- Skip the extra helping of your favorite food or go without desert
- Exercise or meditate if that’s something you’ve been struggling to do
- Have that uncomfortable conversation you know you need to –coming from a place of humility instead of ego
- Take ownership instead of blame
- Take an accounting of your actions towards your desired result
- Get to bed on time for a change, or set your alarm so you can finally exercise in the morning before work
- Honestly listen to someone else…
There are so many –just choose one important to you.
I’d like to know the results you see.

Bonus: what do you suppose happens when you do not allow this weakness to leave the body?

Wishing you all the best,
TC Cummings