So here’s a thing.
Yesterday I was swimming quite deep and I got stung by a jellyfish. It hurt like hell and I was a bit panicked by the thought of being stung again before i reached the shore.
When I got out the pain got worse until I rinsed it in hot water, then the pain started to subside.
I thought about what I should do about going back into the water as I love the sea. I figured I had 3 options.
1. Go back in with just a swimming costume, knowing there would be a good chance I’d get stung again.
2. Stay out of the sea, that way I could be sure I wouldn’t get stung.
3. Wear a wetsuit, that way I can get my swim, albeit slightly less freely as they are a bit restrictive. I can enjoy the sea, safe in the knowledge I won’t get stung AND probably stay out longer as I won’t get cold.
It made me think about how we deal with painful feelings.
Sometimes we do the same thing again and get hurt.
Sometimes we shy away completely and rob ourselves of fun.
But the best way is to learn from experience and find new ways to get the best out of life.
