A moment of clarity

I just took a 3 mile walk in the heat and humidity...but it was inspiring.
I had an Ah Ha moment and thought that I would share it with you.

It is not possible to grow while you are suffering!
At Gannon, in Catholic ethics class I learned the value of growth through suffering. It made sense because the saints were saints because they suffered.
Later I learned about the mystics, who left their suffering behind and experienced divine intimacy, ecstasy...whatever you want to call it. They had a paradigm shift that did not allow their identity to be suffering...it was part of their history, but not their present experience.

Physiologically it makes perfect sense...the two processes of growth and fight or flight are mutually exclusive. One physiologic pathway turns off the other.
In everyday life the hormonal and chemical milieu for growth is present. But when a threat is perceived those pathways are turned abruptly off and the stress response takes over. Once the threat is dealt with the body returns to growth phase. If the pathways don't shut down...chronic stress...there can be no growth...only survival...physically, emotionally, spiritually...