When we were growing up, we often experienced growing pains. With pain in the legs, ankles, hands, arms and possibly even mental anguish. With physical growth we naturally expect physical growing pains with a hint of mental anguish as we learn more things about life. This is the natural process of life.

As we transition from morning to afternoon of our lives, we have slightly different growing pains. Instead of physical pain we encounter spiritual pain with a hint of mental anguish. This spiritual pain comes in many forms: broken heart, increased fatigue, depression, and yes more mental anguish.

In the morning of our lives we experience physical growing pains, but in the afternoon of our lives we experience Spiritual growing pains. Physical is the easiest of the two as we take pain medicine to mask the pain or we can call upon our divine essence, allowing the pain to dissipate on its own. Spiritual pain is not so easy to remedy for it requires reflections of the soul.

A man, to be greatly good, must imagine intensely and comprehensively;

he must put himself in the place of another and of many others;

the pains and pleasures of his species must become his own.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley

To learn from this sort of pain, one must be willing to journey inward until the source of pain or emotional anguish can be located. If there are trapped emotions, they may be released. If there is trapped guilt, from earlier trespassing against another, then forgiveness is remedy for pain endured. It is said that we need only ask our Creator for forgiveness, but often times the human mind needs closure and needs to go to the source of the guilt…whomever they harmed. By asking for forgiveness they can be released from their sins.

Whether physical or spiritual, morning or afternoon, we all experience growing pains. How we handle these growing pains will determine how quickly we heal.

Stepping into the Canvas while embracing the Growing Pains, without them there may be no new growth. With them, there is surely growth. Whether morning or afternoon, physical or Spiritual, both have purpose and both lead to new growth. Enjoy the many miracles of life, while ‘witnessing’ these growing pains…