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210 Pain Quotes that Will Make You Stronger and Wiser

While life is beautiful in so many ways, it is also filled with struggles and obstacles. We can’t truly appreciate happiness without experiencing some sort of pain.Pain is inevitable. No matter how much we try to prevent bad things from happening, life will strike. Maybe you will have to face grief, betrayal or a broken heart. These experiences can tear you down in unspeakable ways. Some of them will cause so much pain that you’ll do anything that comes to mind to avoid it or feel a bit of joy, even if just for a few seconds.Deep pain can lead to depression. Be sure to acknowledge your pain, and not avoid it. Process it and then find ways to let it go. Don’t wait for time to heal your wounds because the longer you allow your pain to stay with you, the more it will harm you. If you think you need help to overcome your suffering, don’t hesitate to ask for it!Here are 210 pain quotes to help you acknowledge and overcome it:Sad pain quotes Sad Boy in PainAs stated above, no one can run away from pain forever. At some point, we all experience it one way or another. We've put together the following list of sad pain quotes to let you know that you are not alone.Behind every beautiful thing, there’s been some kind of pain. BOB DYLANYou can’t run away from trouble. There ain’t no place that far. UNCLE REMUSIt’s so hard to forget pain, but it’s even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace. CHUCK PALAHNIUKI don’t believe there is pleasure in life. I believe there is only relief of pain… We have to suffer to be on top. GEORGES ST-PIERRENothing prevents happiness like the memory of happiness. ANDRE GIDEYou have to die a few times before you can really live. CHARLES BUKOWSKIThe most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too. ERNEST HEMINGWAYThe prettiest smile hides the deepest secrets. The prettiest eyes have cried the most tears. And the kindest hearts have felt the most pain. UNKNOWNI want to live and feel all the shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience possible in my life. And I am horribly limited. SYLVIA PLATH (more Sylvia Plath quotes)There is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery. DANTE ALIGHIERII think that humans have a huge capacity to carry pain and sadness. There are things that haunt us our entire lives; we are unable to let them go. The good times seem almost effervescent and dreamlike in comparison with the times that didn’t go so well. HENRY ROLLINSWhen you give someone your whole heart and he doesn’t want it, you cannot take it back. It’s gone forever. SYLVIA PLATHGod whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. C.S. LEWISLife is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something. WILLIAM GOLDMANLife swings like a pendulum backward and forward between pain and boredom. ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUERAdventures are all very well in their place, but there's a lot to be said for regular meals and freedom from pain. NEIL GAIMANI imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain. JAMES BALDWINLife didn’t promise to be wonderful. TEDDY PENDERGRASSIt has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone. ROSE FITZGERALD KENNEDYWhen you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever. ALEXANDRE DUMASWaiting hurts. Forgetting hurts. But not knowing which decision to take can sometimes be the most painful... JOSÉ N. HARRISI have the choice of being constantly active and happy or introspectively passive and sad. Or I can go mad by ricocheting in between. SYLVIA PLATHPain is constant. You either suffer the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret. YVAN BYEAJEEThe marks humans leave are too often scars. JOHN GREENThe worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared. LOIS LOWRYWhy is there ever this perverse cruelty in humankind, that makes us hurt most those we love best? JACQUELINE CAREYImagine smiling after a slap in the face. Then think of doing it twenty-four hours a day. MARKUS ZUSAKFor without pain, there can be no pleasure. Without sadness, there can be no happiness. Without misery there can be no beauty. And without these, life is endless, hopeless, doomed and damned.Adult. You have become adult. HARLAN ELLISONTears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart. JOSÉ N. HARRISMental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say 'My tooth is aching' than to say 'My heart is broken.' C.S. LEWISAlthough it's just a small tear, it is the heaviest thing in the world. And it doesn't do a damn thing to fix anything. CHASE BROOKSPain quotes that will make you feel strongerWhenever you experience pain know that it will not last forever. Be patient and learn from it. Remember that you are in charge and that you can help yourself to overcome your suffering faster. Below, we’ve gathered a list of pain quotes that will make you feel stronger. Read through them and start taking the next step toward your healing.Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you. OVIDYou never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice. BOB MARLEYWhat hurts us is what heals us. PAULO COELHOI can bear any pain as long as it has meaning. HARUKI MURAKAMIOut of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. KAHLIL GIBRANMost of the gains in life come from suffering in the short term, so you can get paid in the long term. NAVAL RAVIKANTPain makes me grow. Growing is what I want. Therefore, for me pain is pleasure. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERLet me not pray to be sheltered from dangers, but to be fearless in facing them. Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain, but for the heart to conquer it. RABINDRANATH TAGOREIt is when I struggle that I strengthen. It is when challenged to my core that I learn the depth of who I am. STEVE MARABOLIThe real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection. THOMAS PAINEOur wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful part of us. DAVID RICHOAt the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can. FRIDA KAHLOWe do survive every moment, after all, except the last one. JOHN UPDIKEIf you’re going through hell, keep going. WINSTON CHURCHILLThe only thing that’s the end of the world is the end of the world.BARACK OBAMAThe pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow. UNKNOWNWhat matters most is how well you walk through the fire. CHARLES BUKOWSKITrue discovery happens when you embrace the obstacle. Truth is for the patient, the enduring. MAXIME LAGACÉDon't be scared... Women can handle the worst kind of pain. You'll find out one day. GAYLE FORMANSince I was young, I have always known this: Life damages us, every one. We can’t escape that damage. But now, I am also learning this: We can be mended. We mend each other. VERONICA ROTHThere are ships sailing to many ports, but not a single one goes where life is not painful. FERNANDO PESSOADon’t let pain define you, let it refine you. TIM FARGOPain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. LANCE ARMSTRONGPain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.HARUKI MURAKAMI If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. PAULO COELHOAfter the rain, the sun will reappear. There is life. After the pain, the joy will still be here. WALT DISNEYPain is a sudden hurt that can't be escaped. But then I have also learned that because of pain, I can feel the beauty, tenderness, and freedom of healing. C. JOYBELL C.Be the silent watcher of your thoughts and behavior. You are beneath the thinker. You are the stillness beneath the mental noise. You are the love and joy beneath the pain. ECKHART TOLLEDon’t get lost in your pain, know that one day your pain will become your cure. RUMIPain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. JIM MORRISONI think that little by little I’ll be able to solve my problems and survive. FRIDA KAHLOIf you never heal from what hurt you, you'll bleed on people who didn't cut you.UNKNOWNTo heal from mental pain requires physical pain. Everything requires effort, don't give up. BEN AFFLECKInspirational pain quotesSometimes a few words are enough to give us hope in dealing with our pain. Sometimes they are enough to help us re-evaluate our situation. In this regard, we’ve gathered for you a list of inspirational pain quotes. Enjoy!Laugher is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain. CHARLIE CHAPLINSit with the pain until it passes, and you will be calmer for the next one. NAVAL RAVIKANTGreat things never came from comfort zones. NEIL STRAUSSAlthough the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. HELEN KELLEREvery pain is a gift. Every pain is an opportunity. MAXIME LAGACÉChange happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change. TONY ROBBINSWe can learn and change in a state of pain and suffering, or we can evolve in a state of joy and inspiration. JOE DISPENZAWhen I planted my pain in the field of patience it bore fruit of happiness. KAHLIL GIBRANPassion is the bridge that takes you from pain to change. FRIDA KAHLONever to suffer would never to have been blessed. EDGAR ALLAN POEYou may have had unfair things happen to you, but the depth of your pain is an indication of the height of your future. JOEL OSTEENWhen it hurts – observe. Life is trying to teach you something. ANITA KRIZZANToo many people believe that everything must be pleasurable in life, which makes them constantly search for distractions and short-circuits the learning process. ROBERT GREENEMy pain may be the reason for somebody’s laugh. But my laugh must never be the reason for somebody’s pain. CHARLIE CHAPLIN (more Charlie Chaplin quotes)Every negative situation contains the possibility for something positive, an opportunity. It is how you look at it that matters. ROBERT GREENELife begins at the end of your comfort zone. NEALE DONALD WALSCHTime doesn’t heal emotional pain, you need to learn how to let go. ROY T. BENNETTThe more you reject the past, the more your suffering lasts. MAXIME LAGACÉThe pain that you create now is always some form of nonacceptance, some form of unconscious resistance to what is. ECKHART TOLLEI tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim, and now I am overwhelmed by this decent and good feeling. FRIDA KAHLOForget about winning and losing, forget about pride and pain. BRUCE LEEStay focused on your purpose, not your pain. RANAL CURRIEThe real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not. C.S. LEWISNobody can hurt me without my permission. MAHATMA GANDHIIf there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. THOMAS PAINEThere is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength’. No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.DALAI LAMATake it from me: If you hear the past speaking to you, feel it tugging up your back and runing its fingers up your spine, the best thing to do-the only thing-is run. LAUREN OLIVERIf you can learn to endure pain, you can survive anything. Some people learn to embrace it- to love it. Some endure it through drowning it in sorrow, or by making themselves forget. Others turn it into anger. SARAH J. MAASProsperity is not without many fears and distastes, and adversity is not without comforts and hopes. FRANCIS BACONIf I can see pain in your eyes then share with me your tears. If I can see joy in your eyes then share with me your smile. SANTOSH KALWARThere is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt. ERMA BOMBECKPain introduces you to your highest self. PAUL DOMENICKAnd the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. ANAIS NIN (more Anais Nin quotes)God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them. JOHN AUGHEYNeurosis is the natural by-product of pain avoidance. CARL JUNGSome of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers. GARTH BROOKSThe pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again. CHARLES DICKENSPain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain. JIM MORRISONWhere the wound has been given, there must the cure be found, if anywhere. JANE AUSTENThe cure for pain is in the pain. RUMI (more Rumi quotes)Frustration, although quite painful at times, is a very positive and essential part of success. BO BENNETTBe soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place. IAIN THOMASBad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have – life itself. WALTER ANDERSONGrowth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong. UNKNOWNProblems are the price you pay for progress. BRANCH RICKEYSacrifice today for tomorrows betterment, you are willing to pay those payments with pain, because pain is just a message when you are fixing something that’s insufficient in your life. GREG PLITTDeep pain quotesSometimes the pain we feel is so excruciating that we would cling to anything for a few seconds of relief. If you believe that your pain is too much for you to handle, please don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend or a professional.Here’s our list of deep pain quotes that you’ll resonate with:We don’t even ask happiness, just a little less pain. CHARLES BUKOWSKIPeople go through so much pain trying to avoid pain. NEIL STRAUSSSmile, though your heart is aching. Smile, even though it’s breaking. When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by if you smile through your pain and sorrow. Smile and maybe tomorrow, you’ll see the sun come shining through for you. CHARLIE CHAPLIN‘You,’ he said, ‘are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe, is why you are in so much pain.' EMILIE AUTUMNOne thing you can’t hide – is when you’re crippled inside. JOHN LENNONI just feel pain. A lot of pain. I thought I could imagine how much this would hurt, but I was wrong. HARUKI MURAKAMIThere is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. MAYA ANGELOUIt is easier to find men who will volunteer to die, than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience. JULIUS CAESARI must get my soul back from you; I am killing my flesh without it. SYLVIA PLATHMy painting carries with it the message of pain. FRIDA KAHLO (more Frida Kahlo quotes)There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds. LAURELL K. HAMILTONYou think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, who had ever been alive. JAMES BALDWINIf you love deeply, you're going to get hurt badly. But it's still worth it. C.S. LEWISI remained too much inside my head and ended up losing my mind. EDGAR ALLAN POEYou care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.J.K. ROWLING (more J.K. Rowling quotes)In misery we seem aware of our own existence, even though it may be in the form of a monstrous egotism: this pain of mine is individual, this nerve that winces belongs to me and to no other. GRAHAM GREENEThe silence depressed me. It wasn’t the silence of silence. It was my own silence. SYLVIA PLATHUnrequited love does not die; it's only beaten down to a secret place where it hides, curled and wounded. For some unfortunates, it turns bitter and mean, and those who come after pay the price for the hurt done by the one who came before. ELLE NEWMARKIf you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it. ZORA NEALE HURSTONOften it’s the deepest pain which empowers you to grow into your highest self. UNKNOWNForgiveness has nothing to do with absolving a criminal of his crime. It has everything to do with relieving oneself of the burden of being a victim--letting go of the pain and transforming oneself from victim to survivor. C.R. STRAHANThe tragedy of life is in what dies inside a man while he lives – the death of genuine feeling, the death of inspired response, the awareness that makes it possible to feel the pain or the glory of other men in yourself. NORMAN COUSINSI may never be happy, but tonight I am content. SYLVIA PLATHThe hottest love has the coldest end.SOCRATESThere's no comfort in the truth, pain is all you'll find.GEORGE MICHEALMoral wounds have this peculiarity - they may be hidden, but they never close; always painful, always ready to bleed when touched, they remain fresh and open in the heart. ALEXANDRE DUMASThe damage was permanent; there would always be scars. But even the angriest scars faded over time until it was difficult to see them written on the skin at all, and the only thing that remained was the memory of how painful it had been. JODI PICOULTMemories are bullets. Some whiz by and only spook you. Others tear you open and leave you in pieces. RICHARD KADREYI have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so madly indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom. EDGAR ALLAN POELife is painful and messed up. It gets complicated at the worst of times, and sometimes you have no idea where to go or what to do. ALYSHA SPEERI could never hurt him enough to make his betrayal stop hurting. And it hurts, in every part of my body. VERONICA ROTHPainting completed my life. I lost three children and a series of other things that would have fulfilled my horrible life. My painting took the place of all of this. I think work is the best. FRIDA KAHLOSome old wounds never truly heal, and bleed again at the slightest word. GEORGE R.R. MARTINWhy the hell are we conditioned into the smooth strawberry-and-cream Mother-Goose-world, Alice-in-Wonderland fable, only to be broken on the wheel as we grow older and become aware of ourselves as individuals with a dull responsibility in life? SYLVIA PLATHI became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. EDGAR ALLAN POEI still cannot understand how he could abandon me so unceremoniously, without any sort of goodbye, without looking back even once. The pain is like an axe that chops my heart.wisYANN MARTELThe worst type of crying wasn't the kind everyone could see--the wailing on street corners, the tearing at clothes. No, the worst kind happened when your soul wept and no matter what you did, there was no way to comfort it. KATIE MCGARRYCompassion hurts. When you feel connected to everything, you also feel responsible for everything. And you cannot turn away. ANDREW BOYDShort pain quotesSadness and pain are part of everyone’s life. We hope that some of the short pain quotes listed below will help you in dealing with your situation.Here’s our list of short pain quotes that make perfect captions for your Instagram posts:Life is pain, so live it up while you can. ERNEST HEMINGWAYPain is a fact. Suffering is a choice. NAVAL RAVIKANTWithout pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing. FIGHT CLUBPain is inevitable, suffering is optional. BUDDHALet go of the past. ROBERT GREENEAdversity is the first path to truth. LORD BYRONNew beginnings are often disguised as painful endings. LAO TZUI’ve learned more from pain than I could’ve ever learned from pleasure. UNKNOWNFailure gave me strength. Pain was my motivation. MICHAEL JORDANThere are no gains without pains. BENJAMIN FRANKLINThe root of all suffering is attachment. BUDDHAOne good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. BOB MARLEYThe art of life is the art of avoiding pain. THOMAS JEFFERSONIt hurts because it matters.JOHN GREENThat’s the thing about pain, it demands to be felt. JOHN GREENWe can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. C.S. LEWISFace your life, its pain, its pleasure, leave no path untaken. NEIL GAIMANMove toward resistance and pain. ROBERT GREENEMuch of your pain is self-chosen. KAHLIL GIBRANI ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders. JEWISH PROVERBThe pain I feel now is the happiness I had before. That’s the deal. C.S. LEWISEmbrace the feeling. Start the healing. MAXIME LAGACÉPain is a great motivator. NAVAL RAVIKANTIt’s better to feel pain than nothing at all. UNKNOWNTwo barrels of tears will not heal a bruise. CHINESE PROVERBStrange how we decorate pain. MARGARET ATWOODFear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil. ARISTOTLETo hurt is as human as to breathe. J.K. ROWLINGLife is pain and the enjoyment of love is an anesthetic. CESARE PAVESEWise pain quotesIf anything, pain is a teacher. If you learn to change your perspective and see pain from a different point of view, you will soon observe that it often teaches you valuable life lessons. Those lessons will help you cope better with whatever life throws at you in the future.Here’s our list of wise pain quotes that everyone should read:One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love. SOPHOCLESIt is always by way of pain one arrives at pleasure. MARQUIS DE SADETurn your wounds into wisdom. OPRAH WINFREYIf you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. MARCUS AURELIUSThe aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure but to avoid pain. ARISTOTLEWe must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. KENJI MIYAZAWAIt is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things. THEODORE ROOSEVELTRemember anything you want that’s valuable requires you to break through short-term pain in order to gain long-term pleasure. TONY ROBBINSPain nourishes courage. You can’t be brave if you’ve only had wonderful things happen to you. MARY TYLER MOOREThere is no education like adversity. BENJAMIN DISRAELIWe must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons. JIM ROHNNothing pains some people more than having to think.MARTIN LUTHER KING JRHe who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man. DR. SEUSSWisdom is nothing more than healed pain. ROBERT GARY LEEIf experience is the mother of wisdom, pain is the father. THIBAUTWe are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality. LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECATry to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself. C.S. LEWISSometimes you must hurt in order to know, fall in order to grow, lose in order to gain, because life’s greatest lessons are learnt through pain. NAGATOHandling our suffering is an art. If we know how to suffer, we suffer much less, and we’re no longer afraid of being overwhelmed by the suffering inside. THICH NHAT HANHAcceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it. MICHAEL J. FOXTrying to build a life where you never experience bad feelings is like building a ship that can’t handle a storm. NEIL STRAUSSPain can change you, but that doesn’t mean it has to be a bad change. Take that pain and turn it into wisdom. UNKNOWNThere is no coming to consciousness without pain. People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own Soul. One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.CARL JUNGWe cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain. ALAN WATTSPain, pleasure and death are no more than a process for existence. The revolutionary struggle in this process is a doorway open to intelligence. FRIDA KAHLODo you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul? JOHN KEATSBut who can remember pain, once it’s over? All that remains of it is a shadow, not in the mind even, in the flesh. Pain marks you, but too deep to see. Out of sight, out of mind. MARGARET ATWOODIf you spend your time hoping someone will suffer the consequences for what they did to your heart, then you're allowing them to hurt you a second time in your mind. SHANNON L. ALDER

She Was Forcibly Removed From Her Family as a Child - Now Indigenous Educator Is Reclaiming Her Stolen Identity
Uplifting News

She Was Forcibly Removed From Her Family as a Child - Now Indigenous Educator Is Reclaiming Her Stolen Identity

Growing up, Lori Campbell didn’t really know who she was. Nowadays, the Indigenous educator speaks with more confidence on the subject.“I am the granddaughter of a Residential School survivor. I am the daughter of a First Nations woman who survived having each of her seven children stolen and relocated through the Sixties Scoop assimilation policy,” she write in an article on The Conversation.The Sixties Scoop was a large-scale effort to remove Indigenous children from their families and place them in non-Indigenous foster families. It started in the 1960s and continued throughout the 1980s. The term came from a description by a social worker who described mostly newborn babies being “scooped” from their mothers on reserves. At the same time as Residential Schools were being phased out, new efforts in “child protection” provided yet another channel for separating Indigenous families and isolating their children.And that’s exactly how Campbell describes it: she felt isolated. During those years in foster care, she could never have envisioned that she would become an educator, much less get a university education. She never would have believed that, years later, she would be receiving a prestigious education-related award. Indigenous Educator Reclaims Her Stolen IdentityThe truth is, Campbell didn’t even see herself going to university — until her basketball skills were noticed by the University of Regina. Now, the Indigenous educator has four degrees and holds the title of Associate Vice-President of Indigenous Engagement at the University of Regina. It was a long road from the little girl who was ripped from her family and forced to assimilate to today’s respected leader who helps young people re-tie those broken strings. “This is like a full circle thing,” Campbell says.And it had to start with a 25-year-long journey to find her mother and siblings. Reconnecting with them and rebuilding her family was key to reclaiming her stolen identity and forging her own place in the world.“Time and time again,” Campbell says, “Indigenous people who have been displaced through assimilation policies and other colonization tactics tell me they profoundly desire opportunities to learn more about who they are, where they come from and to understand our cultures.”Education Is KeyToday, Campbell can describe herself as a member of the Montreal Lake Cree First Nation, Cree-Métis from Treaty 6 Territory with deep roots in Treaty 4. She describes her role at the University of Regina as “advancing processes of engagement in Indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation in postsecondary education and administration.”And while she has speaking engagements all over the world, it’s not to talk about the past or the future. Instead, Campbell draws from her own experience to help Indigenous students who may be feeling disconnected. To do that, she wants to make sure they claim their rightful place in postsecondary education. Indeed, it was at First Nations University of Canada that Campbell first started to feel accepted. It was there that she reclaimed her history and her culture.Rebuilding FamiliesOne of her main messages to young people is to talk to their parents about who they are and reconnect to their family history. “As they’re learning healing backwards, there’s this chain reaction and I think that’s a beautiful thing,” she says. At the University of Regina, Campbell advocates for a place for Indigenous students in higher education, mentoring them and working to reshape curriculum for inclusion.“I try to focus on creating a space and place where Indigenous students, staff and faculty can bring their unapologetic Indigenous selves…and take what they want or need from what’s in the institution already to use for their benefit,” the respected Indigenous educator explained. For her tireless efforts, Lori Campbell was awarded a 2023 Indspire Award in the education category. Toward True ReconciliationIn 2022, when Pope Francis travelled to Canada, Campbell was unimpressed with what she saw as an insufficient apology. But she was undeterred from her true mission: “Reconciliation is how you guide conversations with your family while having dinner. It’s how you acknowledge the Pope’s apology and how you deepen the discussion to talk about what wasn’t said. It’s those conversations that will contribute to a future where everyone in Canada can thrive, including Indigenous Peoples.”Lori Campbell sees true healing through strengthening family ties and helping Indigenous people recognize their true selves in all walks of life. “The struggles within Indigenous communities today are not cultural traits. They are symptoms of a people still struggling from the intergenerational trauma and horrors experienced through the genocidal acts and abuses that took place through the Residential School assimilation policy.”And her role is to educate — because education is the key to understanding one’s past, present and future.More from Goalcast:

Breathwork Training and Techniques
Emotional Health

Breathwork Training and Techniques

“Next time you feel anxious, pause what you’re doing, sit back, and take a few deep breaths,” the doctor suggested. This was the first time I’d looked for medical help for my anxiety. I was experiencing multiple panic attacks, and knew it was time to tackle what I was facing. But breathing exercises? Really? Compared to the fire-like fear burning me from the inside out on a daily basis, being told to take a few deep breaths seemed… insulting.I smiled politely and left, and it took some time to start researching the benefits of conscious breathing practices. It started with an incredibly basic video tutorial on “how to breathe properly.” That was around 13 years ago. Since then, breathwork practices have risen in popularity, from the resurgence of ancient practices such as Kundalini and yoga, to the paradigm-shifting brilliance of Wim Hof, the Ice Man.As Hof himself said, “because it’s so simple, it’s not understood. The confusion comes from thinking only complexity has value.” The world is increasingly complex. The way we feel is increasingly complex. Surely something as simple as breathwork can’t be that impactful for our parasympathetic nervous system, can it? Well, you might be surprised!Here, we’ll provide an overview of the transformative power of breathwork. We’ll share a few pointers and techniques to allow you to integrate conscious energy breathing into your self-care or personal development inventory. So, take a deep breath, try to live in the present moment, and read on.What is breathwork?Breathwork has been used as a tool of healing and transformation for thousands of years. Ancient traditions from Hinduism, Buddhism, Qigong, Taoism, Sufism, and Christianity have turned to conscious connected circular breathing as part of a spiritual practice, as have shamanic and indigenous cultures. Throughout history, the breath has always been intertwined with the human spirit, and so it’s not surprising that breathwork therapy exists, and that it’s possible to find a great deal of inner peace through the practice.PranayamaThe practice of Pranayama is a core teaching of Eastern traditions, popularized by the modern-day Yoga movement. In Sanskrit, prana means breath or life force, a link between body and soul. A similar link is made in the Western world. The word psyche comes from the Greek psykhē, meaning “the soul, mind, spirit; life, one's life, the invisible animating principle or entity which occupies and directs the physical body,” or “to blow, or to breathe.”In the West, the breathwork movement was popularized with two distinct practices that originated in the 1960s — Holotropic Breathwork and Rebirthing. The first was created by psychotherapist Stanislav Grof and his wife, Christine Grof. The latter was created by Leonard Orr, based on his experience with gurus in the Himalayas, before being joined by Sondra Ray. Part of the modern resurgence of breathwork has been due to the growing number of scientific studies that demonstrate its benefits. Wim Hof, who himself discovered breathwork and cold therapy at a young age, has been a pioneer in bridging the scientific and the spiritual.The benefits of a breathwork practice Like it was when my 18-year-old self sat in the doctor’s office, it can be hard to believe the impact various breathing practices can have on chronic stress. Studies have shown it to be effective in healing trauma, in helping to overcome anxiety, and boosting mood. Research has shown that different breathing rhythms link to different emotions — think of the shallow, quick breaths when fearful, in comparison to slow, steady breathing whilst relaxed. Consciously taking control of the breath stimulates the body’s vagus nerve, which regulates the body's relaxation response. Unlike other processes in the body, the breath is a hybrid between unconscious and conscious. Chances are, you haven’t paid too much attention to your breathing whilst reading this article. Yet at a moment's notice, you can take a few seconds of focused breathing, and notice the impact on the body.Due to the profound impact on the vagus nerve, there are many, many health benefits of breathwork, including reduced blood pressure, reduced stress, reduced anxiety, relieved insomnia, and improved pain management.Different deep breathing techniquesTaking a few moments to pause and breathe deeply has immediate benefits. This can be done as part of a morning routine, or throughout the day.As a practice, though, there are a number of breathwork techniques that can be applied for different results. But before introducing the techniques, a brief understanding of the mechanics of breathing. Four main types of breathingThere are four main types of breathing: eupnea, diaphragmatic, costal, and hyperpnea.Eupnea is a quiet and relaxed state of breathing that doesn’t require conscious thought. Diaphragmatic (known as belly breathing or deep breathing) includes the conscious use of the diaphragm, filling the lungs more efficiently. Coastal breathing, or shallow breathing, only uses the intercostal muscles. Hyperpnea is the body’s response to needing more oxygen, usually during exercise, which differs from hyperventilation, where the body becomes over-oxygenized.Breathwork techniques manipulate breathing in different ways, in order to stimulate different responses. Below are some of the most common breathing techniques to try.Diaphragmatic breathingBuddhist guru Thich Nhat Hanh encourages people to “breathe in deeply to bring your mind home to your body.” It’s wise advice. Deep breathing is a great starting point. It helps you to understand how the body adjusts to different types of breath and makes you alert to the difference between shallow breathing. To breathe deeply, start by exhaling (we tend to hold our breath unconsciously), then take a long deep breath through the nostrils. To get a better understanding of how to activate your diaphragm, place your hand on your stomach, and feel the gentle rise and fall.Box breathingOriginating from the Navy SEALS, box breathing, or square breathing, consists of four blocks of four. Begin by emptying your lungs and exhaling, before holding your breath for four seconds. Then inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds. When repeated, this technique is great for improving focus and reducing stress.Alternate nostril breathing A technique popular in yoga, alternate nostril breathing involves closing one nostril, and alternating inhalations and exhalations. Essentially, you close one nostril, inhale, then close the other nostril, and exhale. In Sanskrit, this is known as nadi shodhana pranayama. Nadi is the body’s subtle energy channel, and shodhana means “purify” — so this technique purifies the body’s subtle energy. Consequently, it’s a great primer for meditation or yoga.Coherent breathingAlso known as the 5-5 breath, coherent breathing is a simple anecdote to the shallow, unconscious breathing patterns that develop through stress and disconnection from the body. It’s a way to induce relaxation and calm, and one of the easiest techniques to apply in any circumstance. Start by bringing awareness to your natural breath. Then adjust your breath, and begin by breathing in for five seconds, and exhaling for five seconds, for a minute. You can work with increasing inhalations and exhalations to 10 seconds, extending the overall practice to 10 or 20 minutes.The Wim Hof Method(Getty)The Ice Man is arguably the modern-day guru of breathwork. His breathing techniques are one of the pillars of his method of teaching (alongside cold exposure and mindset work) that has allowed him to defy physical limitations, submerging into ice-cold waters, and running desert marathons, without water. Please note this method isn’t recommended whilst driving or standing up. The technique is as follows:Wim Hof Step 1Get comfortable. It’s recommended not to try the exercise whilst standing up.Wim Hof Step 2Take 30 or 40 breaths. These should be deep breaths, into the diaphragm, until a tingling sensation is experienced in the head or body. Although it can feel like hyperventilation, this isn’t the case (although it’s advised to stop if you feel dizzy). Allow breathing to follow a circular motion.Wim Hof Step 3After the cycle of breathing is complete, breathe out and hold your breath for as long as feels comfortable, without force. Wim Hof Step 4Once you can no longer hold your breath, breathe in and hold the breath for 10-15 seconds.The above breathing techniques are able to be applied in the comfort of your own home, though always be careful if feeling lightheaded. The two techniques mentioned above, Rebirthing and Holotropic Breathwork, are recommended either by attending workshops or working directly with a professional trained in the relevant technique.When should you use breathwork?It can be overwhelming to start to explore the health benefits of breathwork and uncover lots of information about various practices, with lists including lots of different techniques. You might need a moment to catch your breath just to know where to begin! Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong. Finding your style comes down to trial and error, as well as considering your motivation for exploring breathwork.Some people turn to breathwork at times of high-stress or anxiety (think about an introvert about to enter into a stressful social situation. It might be a tool to keep at hand for times when you need to regulate and calm down. Others develop a breathwork practice and integrate a breathing technique fully into their self-development inventory. For example, I once attended a Holotropic Breathwork session, and the majority of people were regulars. This is common, due to its benefits, and the community that forms around regular meetings.Choose based on your needsHow you choose to integrate breathwork is down to you. Consider what your needs are. Are you looking for relaxation tools? Are you looking for healing or a deeper connection to your body? Are you looking to go full-on Wim Hof mode, activate deep breathing, and walk half-naked into a lake in mid-January?Breathwork is part of the mainstream approach to self-healing and grounding, there are plenty of options to join workshops, or find tutorials or courses online. It depends how seriously you wish to take the practice. Maybe a few minutes per day suits you. Or maybe you’ve dabbled with breathwork, enjoy its health benefits, and want to explore the practice more deeply.Personally, I’ve incorporated breathwork as part of my meditation and general emotional regulation. As I started meditation and mindfulness, I became clear on the way my breathing was affecting my emotions and body. My anxiety was always accompanied by shallow breathing or even holding my breath. For a while, I used the practice of breathing deeply whenever I found myself breathing in a certain way.As an extension, these techniques are also effective for public speaking or even having a difficult conversion. Whenever you feel angry, sad, or emotional in a way that makes you reactive, never underestimate the power of taking a few deep breaths to refind your center. The more you get used to deep breathing, the easier it’ll be.What you should know before starting breathworkSome years ago I attended a conference, which I won’t name, where one of the attendees held a breathwork session. Around 20 or 30 people attended, with only two teachers. It was my first experience with breathwork, and I was “sitting” for my partner, who has what I can only describe as an out-of-body experience. Breathwork surfaces deep emotions, including trauma. That often requires supervision. Unsurprisingly, after the workshop, many people complained.While some techniques are great for regulation and relaxation, deeper techniques aren’t to be done alone. There’s a reason Holotropic Breathwork has so much support and structure, with a number of trained specialists nearby to guide. You can apply the basic techniques as you wish, but if a certain technique is one that alters consciousness (the holotropic state, for example, has been likened to a psychedelic experience), consider the support of a professional.Caution aside, I believe breathwork to be a foundation of any process of healing or personal growth. As a tether between conscious and unconscious, fight-or-flight and relaxation, gaining control of the breath is the first giant leap in gaining control over the body and mind.(Catherine Delahaye / Getty)In a world of growing complexity, sometimes the solutions are more simple than they seem.

Crystals for Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide
Self

Crystals for Anxiety: A Comprehensive Guide

Humans have been fascinated by crystals for millenia. Often in gorgeous, lustrous, glass-like formations, crystals are appealing for their stunning beauty and beguiling for their intricate, rugged structure alike. But in addition to their gorgeous appearance, the best crystals have a mysterious charm and therapeutic energy that many people find healing. And natural and complementary medicine practitioners often use crystals and healing stones for their restorative properties.In fact, we know that people have believed that crystals had healing powers for the mind and body just about as far back as recorded history goes. There is evidence of crystals being used for a huge variety of healing (and magical) purposes for the human mind and body in such ancient lands as Egypt, India, Greece, Rome, and Sumer. The first documented use of an ancient healing stone is from Mesopotamia, the birthplace of human civilization.Whether for protection, calming, restorative, emotional regulation, or magical purposes, many powers have been ascribed to various crystals over time. Note that while anecdotal evidence is strong and tons of alternative medicine practitioners (and patients) tout the benefits of healing crystals, there is a lack of conclusive scientific research on efficacy. However, today, many people swear by using the gentle energy of their best healing crystals to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Popular support of the calming energy of crystals is especially strong for using crystals for anxiety. In this guide, we will discuss how beautiful crystals might help when you feel anxious, how to select the right crystals for anxiety, and how you (or a crystal healer) can use them to relieve stress and anxiety.Healing crystals for anxietyCrystals have an allure that many attribute to a special energy that gives these stones healing powers. They are a natural, safe tool that many find uniquely relaxing and restorative.Throughout history, different healing and rejuvenating abilities have been ascribed to different crystals, from curing night terrors to warding off evil spirits to drawing in love. Additionally, various cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions believe crystals do different things. (Rebecca Redmond / EyeEm / Getty)However, the most common powers crystals are thought to have are those of protection and healing of the human body and mind.Today, crystal healing is a common alternative medicine technique used by crystal healers to treat a variety of ailments. From improving your emotional balance and soothing stress to finding inner strength, self love, and inner peace, crystals may provide fantastic self care and stress relief for people with anxiety. These attributes make crystal healing particularly appealing to many people with social anxiety, in particular. To learn more about how to overcome anxiety, read our blog on the subject.Crystal healing: How crystals relieve anxietyAs there isn’t conclusive proof of how (or whether) crystal healing works, it is unclear exactly what makes crystals restorative. Believers say healing crystals facilitate the body’s energy flow, helping the body to heal itself. Additionally, the specific energies of each crystal is said to influence the mind and body of the wearing, bringing wellbeing and banishing negativity.The general idea, which goes back thousands of years, is that adorning yourself with the right crystals can offer healing, protective, and restorative powers. Key in this equation is selecting the best crystal nearby for the ailment you hope to cure or manage. So, for those with anxiety, certain crystals may provide better results than others, in terms of alleviating symptoms of anxiety. Some crystals may promote feelings of calm, while others offer rejuvenation or positivity. You’ll want to think about the feelings you want to get from the crystals you use and how that energy and emotion may work to soothe your anxiety. Then, match your desired feelings to the crystal or crystals that are known to promote those responses.Belief mattersIf you want to use crystals for anxiety, it’s key that you are open and receptive to the idea that the right crystal will have the power to help you. In fact, while specific evidence on the efficacy of crystals for healing is thin, much research shows that if you believe something will heal you that it often does, at least to some extent. This is called the placebo effect.According to the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “The placebo effect is a beneficial health outcome resulting from a person’s anticipation that an intervention will help.” Interestingly, studies have shown that placebos have been shown to offer effective healing power even when people know they are receiving a placebo. In other words, if you believe that crystals are healing for your anxiety, then they very well might be.It’s important to note that crystals should not be used to replace any treatments or anti-anxiety medications you are receiving for a mental health condition. Instead, think of healing crystals as an extra boost you can use in tandem with whatever other methods you use to help ease your anxiety. These other approaches may include cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, and other stress-relieving techniques, such as meditation, exercise, yoga, acupuncture, and breathing exercises.Crystals for social anxietyFor those with social anxiety, you’ll want to choose crystals that promote relaxation, inner peace, and stress relief. Think about what negative feelings you are experiencing when you have anxiety. Then, choose crystals that tend to counteract or balance those feelings with more positive energies.You’ll also want to consider which crystals appeal to you specifically, as particular crystals may resonate with you stronger than others do. And they may work better for relieving your symptoms of social anxiety when you feel a connection to that crystal. Trust your instincts on which crystals draw you in. Crystal healers can also help guide you.Crystals for child anxietyMany children who have anxiety also respond well to using crystals as a part of their self care and self-soothing. During times of stress, kids can use various crystals to help recenter themselves and regain a sense of calm. Many kids are drawn to the beauty and diversity of these stones, which makes tapping into their healing powers very accessible.Choosing the right crystalsKey to using crystals for healing is to pick the right one (or ones) that will address whatever issues you’re hoping to solve. Below, we offer descriptions and potential healing powers of some of the most commonly used crystals for anxiety to help you choose the right one for your needs.AmethystAmethyst is one of the most frequently used healing crystals, particularly for anxiety. It’s also one of the most stunning. This beautiful glass-like, purple-hued crystal is actually a variety of quartz. Unlike a smoky quartz or a clear quartz, the amethyst’s name comes from the Greek for “not intoxicated,” as ancient Greeks believed wearing amethyst would prevent a person from getting drunk. Today, amethyst, which ranges in color from a pale, translucent lavender to a deep, dark, almost black purple, is most often associated with bringing a sense of calm and wellbeing. This healing crystal is also praised for helping the wearer to manage their emotions and clear their mind. Some natural health providers also use this crystal to help with addiction.In addition to its healing powers, amethyst is popular as a gemstone for jewelry. It is also the birthstone of February.AngeliteThis crystal is said to promote balance and alignment of the chakras. It comes in a range of pale shades, including blue, white, brown, violet, rose, and gray. Also called the angel stone, angelite may help you find inner peace and connect to your true spirit.AquamarineThis beguiling gemstone looks like a tidy capsule of the sea itself. Aquamarine is thought to contain some of the healing power of the ocean, too. It’s also called the mermaid stone, and is imbued with the wondrous spirit and song of those mythical creatures. Vibrant blue-green in color, aquamarine helps center the mind, cooling and calming your energy in times of stress and anxiety.Black tourmalineAlso called schorl, black tourmaline is a black triangle-shaped crystal that looks like hunks of finely packed charcoal. It offers protection and helps you feel grounded. Black tourmaline is also known as a powerful antidote to panic attacks, shielding you from dark thoughts and/or flipping negative energy into positive vibes.Blue lace agateAs its name implies, blue lace agate is blue with a lacy appearance. It is a relatively rare crystal and part of the agate family. Its sky blue color, which is threaded with layers of white (and sometimes pale brown) offers a soothing energy. Blue lace agate also has come to symbolize hope, positivity, happiness, and truth. CelestiteCelestite (also called celestine) is a pale or clear blue crystal. It is commonly used for meditation to help focus the mind. It is also thought to have heavenly qualities that promote inner peace, quiet, and calm. Incidentally, it is a source of the element strontium, which is used to make fireworks.CitrineThis crystal, which is also a type of quartz, comes in a range of bright yellow to orange hues. It is claimed to promote optimism and prosperity. Natural citrine is rare. Instead, many are manufactured out of amethysts that are turned yellow-orange using heat. KyaniteThis gorgeous, high vibrational crystal is white with vivid splashes of bright to baby blue or blue with pale spots, giving it a bewitching otherworldly appearance. This powerful stone also comes in shades of orange, green, and black. Praised for its ability to enhance spiritual wellness, kyanite provides a powerful jolt of calm—and clear-headedness—for those that need it.Lapis lazuliSometimes associated with throat healing and the throat chakra, this vivid blue stone has a mesmerizing energy that calms and offers protection. Lapis lazuli is also heralded for connecting you to your inner wisdom—and bringing anxiety to its knees. Like looking into the deep blue sky, this healing crystal helps you regain emotional balance, washing over the human body with waves of calming energy. MoonstoneTechnically sodium potassium aluminium silicate, moonstone has an ethereal, opalescent look. It comes in a variety of iridescent colors, including blue, white, as a pink crystal, or in purple, orange, green, or brown. Often used in jewelry, moonstone emanates hope, intuition, and sensitivity. This crystal is also often associated with femininity and connecting with one’s inner self.RhodoniteRhodonite comes in a range of rose, red, and pink shades. It is known to promote compassion, forgiveness, and emotional regulation. Its pink color is thought to link it to your heart or emotional center. In addition to its self soothing qualities, wearing rhodonite is thought to help attract love into your life. This powerful healing crystal is also often used to help the wearer overcome trauma and panic attacks.Rose quartzThis very popular gemstone, which is also called hyaline quartz, is known to attract love and encourage positive feelings for the self and those around you. Rose quartz is praised for boosting emotional healing, self love, self-acceptance, and inner peace. Transparent and pale pink in color, rose quartz forms in beautiful glass-like shapes. A crystal with gentle yet powerful energy, rose quartz is used to promote harmony, both internally and with those in your life. Tiger’s EyeTiger’s eye is lauded as a superb protection stone that fosters mental clarity. The gorgeous, shiny mineral looks like smooth, lustrous wood. It comes in a rich range of reddish, chocolatey browns to golden yellows, which form in stripes. Tiger’s eye is known for fostering inner strength, which is why it is sought after by people who have anxiety. This durable quartz gemstone is primarily found in South Africa and Thailand.How to use crystals for anxiety?Crystals can be used in a multitude of ways to help combat anxiety and other feelings of stress or unease. Essentially, you can use the crystals at times when you feel anxious to help you regain control, calm, and peace. You can also use them preventatively when you anticipate that anxiety may strike. Many people create a crystal grid, or arrangement of their healing crystals, to magnify the power of each one and facilitate their personal healing.You can interact with crystals in a variety of ways, too. These include wearing the crystal, say in a necklace or other piece of jewelry, or placing a crystal on your person, such as in a pocket or right on your skin. Sometimes, people will lie down and place a variety of crystals on their bare skin. You might also simply keep the healing crystal near you, such as on your bedside table. Or set up a crystal grid.Alternative medicine practitioners may incorporate crystals into various treatments, such as massage, reiki, ayurvedic healing, and Chinese medicine.Where can you buy crystals for anxiety?Crystals are widely available. You can find them at a variety of retailers, from alternative medicine-themed shops and spas to specialty grocery stores and boutiques specifically centered on crystal healing. You’ll also find a huge selection online.The takeawayCrystals have been loved and trusted for their healing properties for countless generations. The calming qualities of many crystals make them a good fit for helping you cope with anxiety. Plus, there are really no drawbacks or risks of using them. So, if you’re so inclined and feel drawn to a particular type of crystal, try it out and see if having or wearing the crystal helps you manage your anxiety. You’ve got nothing to lose—and the healing crystal just might help you overcome your anxiety.