Every day can seem pretty ordinary. It can look almost identical on the surface. But if you were to take a magnify glass and zoom in on the individual moments of your day, you may be surprised by what you find.

Within those 24 hours, there are mini lessons, opportunities to choose differently and open doors toward self-growth. The problem is we’re usually too busy to notice them.

Take today, for example. There was the lady who blatantly and unashamedly pushed me out of the grocery line. I could have chosen to say something. But I didn’t. I was also late for an appointment. I could have carried the guilt I felt throughout the rest of my day. But I didn’t do that either.

And there was that darn migraine. The headache that I’ve had since high school-the type that makes it insanely difficult to think or do anything, but rest. Well I did what I normally do when I have a headache, I tried to ignore it until I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Then, I rest. But after a nap didn’t cure it, I remembered something I learned in graduate school. In a mindfulness class, my professor said instead of resisting against a headache, what if we were to do the opposite? What if we were to completely feel the pain instead of avoid it.

Sounds crazy right?

But it worked. It reminded me that the suffering we feel is often caused from our automatic desire to resist, avoid or ignore pain. Sometimes feeling the pain is the only solution to getting through it.

It made me grateful for my headache and appreciative of the mini lesson I garnered from a seemingly ordinary day. Ever get moments like that? Embrace them and then see what happens.

Eating Disorder Recovery: Michelle’s Story Part I

(Weightless) – It’s healing to read Michelle’s recovery story. It’s helpful to understand a person’s story from beginning to end to appreciate how far they’ve come and to realize that their recovery is a story of hope for all of us.

Questioning Whether Bipolar Disorder is an Illness

(Bipolar Beat) – A British Psychological Society report attempts to clarify information on bipolar disorder. But in leaving out the biological factors involved, this blogger believes it contributes to widespread stigma and misinformation of the illness.

An Eating Disorder ~ Up Close and Too Personal

(Coming Out Crazy) – Life can always throw you a curve ball. Sandy never expected, for example, that she had an eating disorder. In this post, she shares the details of her journey of her recent diagnosis along with research uncovering the surprising information she found about eating disorders.

Understanding Love and Romance Addiction: Part Two

(Sex & Intimacy in the Digital Age) – Love and romance addiction may not sound like a bad thing. But it can sabotage the very thing that addicts needs, love. Read this to find out if you or someone you know may be a love or romance addict.

Giving Thanks for the Healing Power of Gratitude

(The Therapist Within) – Feeling overwhelmed with worry and anxiety lately? This enlightening post may help shift your perspective with a simple word…gratitude.

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    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 12 Aug 2011
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.