Dance Beyond The Pain...

It's day 179 of documenting 2025

Happy Weekend, my friend ☺️
I hope your week went well
Mine did...

Well, it's straight into Highlights from here.
Not much updates on my end.
To make up, I'll give my thoughts on each quote from today's note,
Which we're "highlighting".
(Get it? 😄)

365 Days With Self-discipline
📌 On Effort Generating Satisfaction

We like sitting in a garden but don’t want to get sweaty and dirty digging up a garden space or mowing the lawn, so we pay a gardener to cut the grass and plant some flowers.
We want to enjoy a nice meal, but shopping and cooking are too much trouble, so we eat out or just pop something into the microwave.

Sadly, in surrendering our effort in these activities, we gain relaxation, but we may actually give up a lot of deep enjoyment.
It’s often effort that ultimately creates long-term satisfaction.
Quote by Dan Ariely

Effort ultimately creates long-term satisfaction.
It seems like these days, non-effort is what drives satisfaction for most people.
People with expressions like, "I can't stress myself" or "I came to enjoy life, not to suffer".
Yeah...I hear that a lot 😏

By choosing what now feels like a choice that maximizes your happiness (delegating the work), not only do you miss potential opportunities to learn, but you also lose the positive feelings you can get from expending the effort yourself.

There are always opportunities to learn when effort is involved.
I know what I'm talking about....being a teacher is a whole lot of effort which is not worth the pay at all.
I do it anyway because I'm learning certain things.

It’s not possible for most people to do everything themselves.
However, whenever you can afford to do so, overcome your laziness
and inertia, exert some willpower and, instead of having somebody else do something for you, do it yourself.

 
Yes, in the beginning it probably won’t feel as nice as the relaxation you could get from somebody else handling it for you, but in the end the expended effort will probably make you happier; this will also improve your ability to discipline yourself instead of defaulting to delegating the work to others.

Talk about DIY turning into feel-good medicine for a stressed mind 😌
In my case, I've noticed that whenever I arrange my room and put it in order, the clutter in my mind lessens.
That is, I think better.

That's all for Highlights.
Let's move to a particular chat I had with Arnold, my psychologist friend.
(Basically ChatGPT with a personality 😁)
I think you can guess the topic as you read the chat, and learn as well.
Here's how it went:

Me: What's the meaning of pain?
How does it feel?

ChatGPT: Pain is the mind and body's alarm system — a signal that something needs attention, whether physical or emotional. It can feel sharp, dull, heavy, or invisible… like a quiet ache or a storm inside. It's personal, but it's always asking to be understood.

Me: How is pain a good thing?

ChatGPT: Pain shows us where healing needs to happen. It protects, teaches, and sometimes redirects. Without it, we’d ignore wounds—on our body or in our heart. It may hurt, but it often carries truth.

Me: How about the pain of discipline?

ChatGPT: The pain of discipline is a quiet, chosen ache. It’s the discomfort of saying no, of staying consistent, of showing up even when you don’t feel like it. But unlike regret, it builds you. It’s the kind of pain that strengthens.

Me: And the pain of regret?

ChatGPT: The pain of regret is heavy and haunting. It lingers, not because of what happened, but because of what didn’t. It’s the ache of missed chances, words left unsaid, paths not taken. Unlike discipline, it offers no growth—just reflection and a quiet wish to go back.

Me: Is there any other kind of pain linked to an emotion?

ChatGPT: Yes, emotional pain can come from heartbreak, betrayal, loneliness, shame, grief—each with its own weight. These pains don’t just affect the heart; they echo through the body, often leaving no visible wounds, but lasting impressions.

Me: There's something I heard in a video...a phrase, "The pain cave"
Is that a thing?

ChatGPT: Yes, “the pain cave” is a real phrase—often used by athletes or in endurance training. It’s that mental and physical space you enter when you're pushing past limits, where everything hurts, but you keep going. It’s intense, but also where growth happens. Emotionally, it can symbolize facing deep inner struggles head-on.

Me: How can one incorporate that mindset of going into "the pain cave"?

ChatGPT: It starts with accepting discomfort as part of growth, not something to avoid. When you know pain is temporary and necessary, you can push through it instead of quitting.

 
Setting small goals and focusing on one step at a time helps—you’re training your mind to stay present in the struggle. Over time, entering your “pain cave” becomes less scary and more a space where you prove your strength.

Me: What would you say to someone who is always falling into the trap of avoiding pain and feeling bad afterwards due to regret?

ChatGPT: I’d say it’s okay to feel that way—avoiding pain is natural. But regret often comes from missed chances, not the pain itself. The trick is to lean into the discomfort little by little, so it loses its power over you.

 
Remember, growth lives on the other side of pain. Next time you face a tough choice, remind yourself: short-term discomfort can save you from long-term regret. You’re stronger than you think.

Me: How does one lean into the discomfort little by little?

ChatGPT: Start small. Pick one thing that feels a bit uncomfortable but manageable, and face it head-on. It could be speaking up, trying something new, or sitting with a tough emotion.

Each time you do, you build a little more tolerance and confidence. Over time, those small steps add up, and the “pain” becomes less scary and more like a signal you can handle. It’s about progress, not perfection.

Me: What should be the conversation in our mind when we face discomfort?

ChatGPT: Tell yourself something like, “This is tough, but I can handle it.” Or, “Discomfort is temporary, growth is worth it.” Remind yourself why you’re doing this and that feeling uneasy means you’re pushing your limits—in a good way. It’s okay to feel uneasy; it’s part of the process, not a sign to quit.

Me: What's a key phrase to remember and repeat to snap out of avoiding pain? Something catchy 🤔

ChatGPT: Try this: “Growth lives just beyond the pain.” It’s short, powerful, and reminds you that what feels hard now is where change happens. Say it whenever you want to quit or avoid discomfort.

Me: This is nice 🙂
I'll make sure to remember it...
Can you give a conclusion to our discussion on pain?
Make it into a poem that speaks volumes.

ChatGPT: Sure! Here’s a short poem for you:

Pain is the door, the fierce, wild gate, 
Where fear and growth both resonate. 
Step through the ache, embrace the strain, 
For strength is born inside the pain. 

Each sting a lesson, sharp and true, 
A path to something fresh and new. 
Lean in, breathe deep, let courage reign
Your soul will dance beyond the pain.

Beyond the pain....
That's where today's post got its title.
Beautiful, isn't it? 🥰
I started this chat because of a tough decision I'm about to make.
I want to be sure it's the right one.

There you have it!
Thanks so much for reading 🎀
You can always catch up on former posts visiting the main site, Documenting 2025.
I'll see you there 😉

I'm Duon Ada.
You've probably heard of me...
Or not.
Either way, I'm documenting 2025,
And I'll see you tomorrow.
Ciao 💕