Welcome, “Today is the 2nd part of my series on the warrior’s marriage, and you’re not going to like it...well...you’ll eventually like it but first I have to shove a few things down your throat for a second, maybe a minute.  “Welcome to the Inspiritaitonal Comedy podcast with Michael Smalley, learning doesn’t have to be boring!”

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The pain is a good thang!

• Why do we avoid it?
  
  • No one likes it
  • Seems logical to avoid
• How is it a good thang?
  • You can’t know pleasure without pain
  • Relief from pain brings pleasure (Studies show when relief arrives, and it will, pleasure is better than before)
  • You bond through pain
    • It’s why camping was such fun!
  • Gives you permission to reward yourself

“There's a reason a cold beer tastes better after you've mowed the lawn or a hot chocolate tastes better after you shovel the driveway: Enduring pain actually makes you enjoy your rewards more. When you have worked out or completed some other difficult task, you are more likely to give yourself permission to enjoy a reward. Not only will you then feel less guilt over splurging, but your senses will be heightened and you'll actually appreciate the reward more.” Amy Morin

• Pain gets your attention
  • Brings you right back to the here and now
• It’s not only meditation, mindfulness, or yoga that grounds you, pain does it too

But how you manage pain and conflict matters

• Don’t react poorly
  • Freaking out
  • Shutting down
  • Lashing back
  • Believing the worst
• React with kindness

“CONSTANT KINDNESS CAN ACCOMPLISH MUCH. AS THE SUN MAKES ICE MELT, KINDNESS CAUSES MISUNDERSTANDING, MISTRUST, AND HOSTILITY TO EVAPORATE” Albert Schweitzer Nobel Peace winner 1952

Which another man, also known for peace teaches, you already know what kindness looks like because it’s what you wish the person was doing for you. (Jesus, by the way, that's the other man!)