It is human nature to desire happiness and desist pain. But oftentimes, both of these won’t come to you without the other. The story then just depends on the way you look at these two realities in life when they actually happen to you.

Below is a story that I’d like to share with you today. May it remind us that like most of the little things that occurs in our day to day lives, the labor of working, misunderstandings in relationships, family conflicts, etc. all these are just part of our life’s effort required to help us appreciate happiness all the more. There is no happiness without pain.

As what they say, “If it feels easy, you’re doing it wrong”.

by JEREMY MCCARTHY on THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WELLBEING

People often ask me how I do everything that I do.  Writer, blogger, teacher, father, spa industry leader . . . I wear many hats (and try to wear them well.)  I usually don’t know how to respond when someone asks me what my secret is, but I think I’ve finally figured it out:  I’m not afraid of the pain.

I was thinking about this last week when I went to Barbados on vacation with my wife, our two-year-old son Dylan and our six-week-old baby Max.  Traveling with two kids that young is not easy (in fact, it sucks) and most sane people wouldn’t even think of planning a trip like this.

Day one of our vacation was pretty miserable: getting two kids out of bed, fed and dressed at 5 a.m., mad dash to the airport, juggling strollers, boppies and baby bottles through the security checkpoint (our baby formula went through a chemical analysis that would make the cast of CSI proud) until we finally took off en route to Barbados. The four-hour plane ride was no picnic either, with a wriggling infant on each lap (particularly Dylan who seemed to only be able to distract himself from the discomfort of the flight by exploring new and innovative ways to annoy nearby passengers.)

You’re probably thinking we were finally able to relax once we landed in Barbados . . . No such luck.  We went through emotional meltdowns with each child as they adapted to their new environment.  So, by the end of the first day, I was exhausted, had a splitting headache, and was starting to wonder if this was a good idea.

But then came day two. Continue reading →