Author Peggy Holloway

I can honestly say that my biggest growth experiences were deep level gut wrenching and very painful. In fact I thought I would die sometimes. These were the lowest of the lows, the deepest and longest valleys. I believe that everyone is capable of growth, but some will turn to their drug of choice (alcohol, street drugs, prescription drugs, sick relationships, etc.) to try to make the pain go away. If they only knew what they would eventually gain by going through this valley, I don’t think anyone would try to numb this pain out.

 I’m not talking about choosing to stay in a situation where you’re in constant pain. I’ve never known anyone to grow from this.  An  example would be to stay in an unhealthy relationship, where you’re criticized and even hit. Some people call this “love.” I call it addiction. I don’t believe love is supposed to hurt.

Another example would be someone who has finally gotten in touch with the pain suppressed since childhood, and staying in this pain and not moving beyond it. I had a client once who got hung up in her childhood pain and blamed any bad behavior on the fact that she had a rough childhood. Criminals sometimes do this, to try to escape prosecution.

As an author, I have experienced many growing pains.  I hope I have learned what I'm supposed to learn from this writing experience.   I know I have learned a lot more about myself.