The Thumb That Gets Hit: What Pain Teaches Us About Power

A shift often feels like a walking contradiction—where going forward requires going backward first. That “backward” can look like many things, but one key way is through shortening the circuit of our brains and minds.

When we’re “on a roll”—in a routine, a mindset, a narrative—it’s hard to observe from an objective place. We’re so deep in it that we forget, or simply cannot let go. Like a boat racing down a stream, instead of reaching for the branches that might help us stop and reflect, we cling to the boat, unable to release our grip.

When we’re in survival mode—fight, flight, or freeze—we often can’t see a solution. Not because we’re unwilling, but because we’re unable. When you’re overwhelmed by circumstances and consequences, the way out is invisible.

But for those who’ve practiced a “problem to opportunity” mindset, the problem becomes a tool. It becomes a mirror, asking: “What am I meant to learn here? What can I gain from this, from a constructive place?”

It’s like when you're thinking of buying a red car—you start seeing red cars everywhere. That’s not magic; it’s the Reticular Activating System at work. It tunes your brain to notice what your subconscious believes is important. If you're focused on problems, you'll see more of them. But if you're focused on solutions, opportunities start appearing.

It’s a real thing. And like a hammer, your mind can build or destroy. There are times to drive the nail in, and times to pull it out. Times to hit hard, and times to move with steadiness and care. Sometimes, you'll hit your thumb—a reminder that every tool can harm or heal, depending on how it's used.

So when people, work, health, or life feel like they’re trying to bring you down—know this: you may not always be able to stop them from getting in, but you can choose what to do with it. Don’t let them make you put yourself down. And don’t reciprocate it to them either. Instead, put them down in your prayer book. Let their names be remembered in grace, not in hate.

Because they need the grace more than they need the anger you might offer. And by doing so, you create a ripple effect—not just within you, but in them and those around them.

What may look like a setback or a surrender… might just be the foundation of a “hell of a comeback.”