As a kid I learned that enduring unnecessary things allowed you to tell stories that others would listen to. Like having teeth pulled without novocaine, or breaking/dislocating fingers and never seeing a doctor.
These situations provided a way for me to connect with others in some normal way, even people I would normally have nothing in common with. Everyone loves a painful story… and most people will follow it up with their own stories of a similar brand.
That approach set bad habits for me. I became stubborn with getting proper treatment for my health. Coupled with the stigma against modern medicine that’s been growing, I stopped taking medicine for headaches, refused to take antibiotics when coming down with a sickness, and tried to ignore the severe (and sometimes debilitating) back pain I had for years.
I thought it was making me stronger.
But recently I’ve reframed my thinking. Is suffering good for me? No. Is enduring pain a valid way to connect with others and tell stories? Not really.
I thought, “What is in my best interest?” And really, the answer was simple: Make use of the luxuries of the 21st century. Ease my headache an hour after it begins instead of after two days of head-pounding. Beat my sickness before it beats me. Treat my back (through chiropractic) so I can live a mostly normal life.
Don’t make yourself suffer needlessly.
It accomplishes nothing. Put your focus on living a good life. Not on atonement, or forgiveness, or for favors… just on pursuing what you value. Endure pain or hardship when it is necessary, but only as a last resort, and only in the pursuit of your goals.
In the end, I summed it up into this one thought: