Analgesic: (n) a drug which acts to relieve pain.
Quite honestly, I have a cave man’s philosophy concerning pain and pleasure.
“Pleasure. Much good.”
“Pain. Me no like.”
Although I do try to move away from this darkened cave of understanding, sometimes I feel silly being philosophical about a pain I can only discuss intelligently when it is not inflicting me.
Yes, it seems noble to put forth the theory that pain assists us in our journey to greater understanding of ourselves, both physically and spiritually, but since I believe in reaching for an analgesic whenever pain even peeks over the horizon, I do feel a little bit hypocritical trying to turn Socratic when discussing it in the abstract.
Here’s the truth. Pain means there’s something wrong.
Even in the case of childbirth, the baby is trying to make it clear that further occupancy is unacceptable.
Unfortunately, the reverse is not true. Not all pleasure lends itself to improvement.There is pleasure that is so temporary and brings such lasting pain that it is well worth avoiding the temporary jolt of satisfaction.
So is life about:
- avoiding pain?
- learning from pain?
- healing pain?
- or defining pain?
I don’t have the foggiest idea.
But I feel no shame in reaching for my favorite off-brand analgesic any time one of these aching situations pops into my life.
If pain is a teacher … it probably needs to find a better approach.
Thank you for enjoying Words from Dic(tionary) — J.R. Practix
