How to Turn Pain Into Power

Today's post is written by guest blogger Lori Nasso.

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Not long ago, I was a married woman with young children living in a beautiful home and working full-time. My career as a flight attendant allowed me the ultimate flexibility of caring for my family, working, and a little “me” time.”

In what feels like the blink of an eye, everything changed.

I am now separated and have been fighting for shared custody for almost three years.

My beautiful home was court-ordered to sell and I’m renting for the first time in my life.

After 20 with Air Canada, I’ve been laid off due to COVID-19 with no indication of being recalled any time soon.

This past December, my dear uncle fell outside, only to be found frozen to death the next morning when it was too late.

And finally, test results from a recent visit with my doctor revealed several health concerns around heart disease, mobility issues, and cancer. Three years of chronic stress may not be the sole cause, but was most definitely a contributing factor.

Needless to say, I’ve endured a lot of pain over the past three years, as many of us have. And yet, while it would be easy to dwell on what has or hasn’t gone right, doing so would feel somewhat foreign to me. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately, depending on how you look at it—my childhood experiences of escaping a dysfunctional home environment taught me to develop tools to turn pain into power.

So, without further ado, here is what I humbly suggest for anyone in need of a bit of inspiration and empowerment during whatever painful time you may be going through.

1. Let your voice be heard.

As a young child, I remember journaling daily as my father would have another glass of wine. No one coached me. No one suggested I journal. It just felt like a natural thing to do. It was a safe place to express my pain. Today, I can clearly see that the journaling was one of my saving graces.

Had I not been so committed to writing, it’s likely that my emotional pain would have been suppressed. The world of Ayurvedic medicine, a holistic healing system developed in India more than 3,000 years ago, would predict that this stifled pain would manifest as some sort of issue with my thyroid or throat chakra, associated with communication and speaking your personal truth. Instead, I’m able to write with ease and allow my voice to be heard in a safe place. I take this childhood tool and share it with others without hesitation. This is power.

My cousin says singing allows her to express her pain—something that became clear to me when she recently sang a song in Italian about her late father. This is power.

There are so many social media platforms at our disposal where our voices can be heard, and I’ve learned from experience that being honest tends to resonate deeply with audiences. Put your fears aside and let your voice be heard. Sing, write, speak, or draw. Do what feels right for your journey. This is power.

2. Step out of your comfort zone.

After my husband and I separated (while still living under the same roof), my lawyer instructed me to “get in the car and take a road trip” with my children, suggesting Montreal or Ottawa as our destination.

A road trip? I had never driven more than an hour on my own, let alone with kids! Thoughts about “if I could handle it” and worries about what could go wrong flooded my mind. You see, I gave my ex-husband the power of being in charge of everything: I did very little, if any, driving when we went places—often looking out the window from the passenger seat as I did when my father drove me around—and found myself asking for permission whenever I wanted to get my nails done. Despite being a working woman, my husband was in charge of the finances.

Nonetheless, with our bikes in tow and CAA membership in hand, my children and I went on a road trip to Ottawa. It was such a memorable experience. We had fun, learned so much about the city and each other, and met beautiful souls we will never forget.

Last summer marks the first time that we flew on our own. As per the recommendation of my lawyer (again), we flew to Montreal and the children met some of their family members for the first time. They got to see mommy in charge. More memories made. This is power.

3. Practice resilience.

When I was in my early forties, I was in the best physical shape of my life without question. I was able to train four, sometimes five, times per week and participated in obstacle course races. I loved the ways that they tested my endurance, strength, agility and flexibility. Unfortunately, however, years of running and kickboxing caused damage to my knees and a corresponding surgery that would end my running days.

I remember taking pictures after the surgery with a big smile on my face because I didn’t want my children to know about my pain. I went to my son’s soccer game all bandaged up, cheering from the sidelines.

It was one of those fork-in-the-road moments where I could have dwelled on what I missed or dreamed about something new. Choosing the latter, I decided I’d give fitness modelling a try.

Away I went to an agency that specialized in representing athletes and got my first commercial shortly thereafter. It was for Fisher Price—and the best part was that my daughter was in it with me. From there, I was in a piece for the Pan Am Games, directed by one of the most peaceful souls I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

Without being physically “stopped,” I never would have had these opportunities. Instead, I was open to reinventing myself. This is power.

4. Create a positive environment.

As part of my journey of turning pain into power, I participated in group therapy sessions that were conducted by a very spiritually grounded U of T alumni. Towards the end of the second session, which occurred when I was still cohabitating with my children and their father, she asked each one of us to describe what our ideal home environment would look like.

Well, what I described is what I have today: fresh flowers, the sound of water, pretty candles, quotes on the walls, diffusers for aromatherapy, relaxing music…. It is peaceful. It is our space. It is safe. This is power.

When we speak about our environment, of course this includes who is in our circle. COVID-19 has forced all of us to limit the size of this circle. In some ways, it actually gives us an opportunity to limit exposure to anyone who does not support our journey. This is power.

5. Take time for self-care*.

Daily self-care in the form of exercise, good nutrition, rest, deep breathing, and time in nature is a necessary tool to turn pain into power. This journey requires energy that only comes from a self that is well taken care of. Treat your body as a temple. Be kind to yourself, ALWAYS. I’ve found that being a good role model for your child/ren also helps them to develop good habits at a young age. This is power.

6. Take time for self-reflection.

It’s important to be able to identify the source of your pain. Speaking with a professional helped me locate the root source of my pain and change patterns that somehow became familiar, regardless of whether or not they were healthy. I am becoming empowered in understanding how unresolved childhood pain can show up in the present. Within the last three years, I’ve made decisions not only for myself but for the benefit of my children.

My journey of self-discovery hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned so much about myself along the way and have met wonderful people. This is power.

7. Strength in numbers.

I’ve taken the “less travelled path” most of my life, which has helped me develop inner strength throughout the ups and downs. It was lonely at times, but I was too afraid to ever let anyone in until I met my husband.

Doing group therapy as part of my separation process allowed me to speak in a group setting without being judged. It felt great to share life experiences with people who could relate and slowly but surely, I learned how to overcome my fears by sharing my truths. This is power.

8. Change your perspective.

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that nothing in life is permanent. I’ve come to understand and accept that my husband’s wish to separate is a gift. It has allowed me time to do even more soul searching. It has forced me to dig deep to find the source of pain. This is power.

I can admit now that having a family unit intact for the sake of the children isn’t always the healthiest environment for them to be raised in. This is power.

I’ve come to appreciate that being laid off has given me the time to be available for my children and build a strong, healthy relationship with them. It has given me the time to get my nutrition workshops completed and ready for presentation. This is power.

I’ve come to learn how to manage my new financial pressures and have developed a good rapport with the CRA and Service Canada. This is power.

I’ve created a peaceful space for myself and my children. If the laundry doesn’t get done or the dishes stay in the sink overnight, it doesn’t matter. This is power.

9. Cry it out.

I have yet to meet a therapist who doesn’t encourage processes that help us befriend our emotions. Sometimes I cry and then I feel better. I’m no longer afraid to admit this because everyone has their breaking point and it’s okay. This is power.

10. Always have faith.

A day after being laid off, my landlady told me that COVID-19 affected her husband’s business and that she’d have to sell the home I was renting. Thankfully, however, life took care of me: shortly thereafter, my neighbour and his wife said they’d be happy to rent their home to me—and that their two boys would be happy to help me move everything to help me save moving costs.

Whatever you believe in, whether it’s God, nature, the universe, or something else, let go and let it help you turn your pain into power. We never walk alone. Knowing this is power.

The Bottom Line

All of us have the ability to turn pain into power. One of the most important tools is allowing your voice to be heard.

Whatever makes you uncomfortable is your biggest opportunity for growth. When we grow, we are empowered.

When we practice resilience, it opens the doors to new life experiences and we set a good example for our child/ren. Remember that life is not linear and comes without manuals.

You are the ultimate creator of your environment. The power lies within you to design a positive space with supportive, motivating, spiritually grounded souls. You attract what you want.

Self-care is essential, especially as a parent. One of our roles is to instill good habits from a young age.

Reflect on the origin of pain to grow as an individual. It may be difficult, but it’s needed in order to convert pain into power.

Join support groups and share your story. Listen, because you may learn something.

Nothing is permanent in life. Be willing to let go of people, emotions, and material items. Not everyone is meant to stay in your life.

Release your emotions. Keeping them bottled up will eventually lead to illness. It’s okay to cry.

Have faith that everything is as it is meant to be. Surrender to whatever higher being you believe in. Let your faith or hope be bigger than your fears.

This is how we turn pain into power.

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About Lori Nasso (B.A. Hons, RHN, PT):

I am a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Certified Personal Trainer. I travel as often as I can, love to cook, bake and eat. Exercise, learning and music are my drugs. My children, friends, and nature keep me grounded. It has taken me almost half a century, but I am finally putting all my passions and life experiences together to answer my calling. I’ve met a lot of Earth angels along my journey and am forever

grateful. Now it’s my turn to pay it forward.

Instagram: @nutritionglori

*Please refer to blog “Navigating Through Separation” for a more thorough explanation.