Pain Analogy

     Pain. It needs no introduction. I just thought of an interesting way to think of it. Imagine a gasoline can or water can for plants. The can represents an incident of some kind that inspires pain. The water of the can represents the accumulated pain of that incident. The flow of the water out of the bucket represents the intensity of our pain. If we take some of the worst events of our lives, we will imagine that bucket being filled to the brim. Take that bucket and start pouring the liquid out of the spigot.

    Initially, the water flows out in a large and unsteady stream. The water can be whitish from all the air and jostling. Sometimes it will flow out in chunks because of air displacement. This opening period is when you feel the full fury and violence of the pain. 

    Then the water calms somewhat. However, there is still a very reliable and steady stream. You can see the transparency of the water as the flow remains consistent and strong. At this point in the pain game, people can get frustrated because of the persistence of sensation. There have been times in my life when I've wondered when it might end. 

    The next phase is when we still have a transparent stream but it breaks up into droplets towards the end. This signifies to me the light at the end of the tunnel where relief can be found.

    The second to last phase is when there are only droplets coming out of the bucket. The pain is just intermittent at this point. Life becomes just a little bit easier.

    And finally, the end has come when you take the bucket and turn it completely upside down to even see if you  can find any water at all. I've come to learn that this is not the time for celebration or satisfaction. Never own up to the fact that your pain is a bad thing. It is simply a challenge. An endurance challenge for the mind. One we can all win.