Light Enduring Pain to Enjoy the Gain

Light Enduring Pain to Enjoy the Gain

What’s the idea of calling me (or you) Wonder Woman?

The above question continues to swirl in my mind. It makes sense that the question resides in my brain due to my current research with a colleague. We are studying women’s experiences in campus recreation and listening to stories of 36 different women. I dialogue daily with students who are women navigating their college journey and converse with various women that I mentor and sponsor.

Many times as women we place a woman on a pedestal, we believe they are perfect and we may even strive to be like them. We create their story from only seeing on side, the one portrayed in public (social media or at work) not the one in private (at home or with someone trusted).

As women, I believe it is important for us to publicly share snapshots of our private story with other women for us to truly understand the reality of how we do what we do.

Hey, you think I’m a Wonder Woman. Oh, you think I’m a Wonder Woman. Well friend, how about we just get real with each other.

Would if we shared more about what we endure and what brings us joy. By not acknowledging the pain it may be more challenging to let the gains begin.

To endure pain and enjoy gains.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines pain as

1. Physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury
2. Careful effort; great care or trouble.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines gain as

1. Resources or advantage required or increased
2. The act or process of acquiring something

Discomfort or trouble that we encounter will find us throughout our lived experience. If we look back and reflect on past pain we may do a better job of enjoying our gains. By reflecting on past pain and gains we exhibit resiliency and the future pain we experience will not have us compromising moments to enjoy our gains.

How should Wonder Women be described?

Maybe just maybe we describe ourselves as imperfect, perfectly imperfect. That the true Wonder Women are the women who choose vulnerability, who empower others by sharing their pain and encourage others to enjoy their gains.