Pain, whether physical or emotional, has an undeniable presence in our lives. It shapes us, challenges us, and forces us to confront our deepest fears and limitations. As I reflect on my journey, I realize how transformative pain has been in shaping who I am today.
Over the years, I’ve faced my share of pain—physically, emotionally, and mentally. From growing up in the streets of the Bronx to pursuing a life as a performer and martial artist, pain has always been a companion in some form. Now, at 63, as I recover from my first hip replacement surgery and prepare for my second, I can look back at the pivotal moments in my life and see how pain played a key role in shaping my mental fortitude.
It’s not just about the physical pain. It’s about the emotional scars we carry, the moments we’d rather forget but know have shaped us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. My son, PJ, who passed away at 12, left a scar on my heart that will never fully heal. It was one of the darkest moments of my life. There are no words to adequately explain the depth of that pain. However, in the years since his passing, I have found profound lessons about the importance of family and the ways I now embrace life and children, including my students and my grandson, Seraph.
The thing about pain is that it doesn’t just leave you broken. It gives you a choice. It asks you, “What now? How will you move forward?” This is the challenge, the inner dialogue that shapes the warriors’ mindset. Will this pain break you, or will it mold you into something stronger? It’s easy to say that we should overcome pain, but the reality is far more complex. Pain has a way of stripping you down, exposing your vulnerabilities, and showing you what you’re really made of.
Yet, through all the battles—physical, emotional, or otherwise—pain is also a teacher. It can teach us compassion for others who may be going through their own struggles. It can teach us resilience, the importance of picking ourselves back up, and the necessity of self-care. It reminds us that healing is a process, not something that can be rushed.
I’ve learned through my experiences that even though the scars may fade, the lessons remain. Physical scars, like the one on my hand from a broken finger in Starlight Express, or the one on my hip from surgery, tell a story. They represent survival, endurance, and growth. Emotional scars, like the loss of a loved one or a broken promise, may not be visible, but they are no less impactful.
It’s essential to acknowledge that, while we may have caused scars in others—whether through our actions or our words—it’s part of the human experience to grow from those moments. We can take responsibility, learn, and move forward with more wisdom.
Today, I embrace the lessons that pain has taught me. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been essential. The pain I feel now in my body, as I recover from surgery, is different from the emotional pain of the past, but it serves as a reminder that growth often comes from discomfort. It’s through these experiences that we develop our mental fortitude.
If there’s one takeaway from my journey, it’s that pain, as hard as it is to endure, can be a catalyst for transformation. It can shape you into a stronger, more resilient version of yourself—if you let it. It’s a powerful teacher, and I am grateful for the lessons it has provided.
Pain is a universal experience, and while it may feel isolating at times, we are never truly alone. We all carry scars, visible or hidden. It’s how we choose to embrace those scars that defines us.
Let’s continue to embrace the journey, one day at a time, scars and all. The lessons are there, waiting for us to uncover them. Let’s live strong, today and every day. And if you feel called to, join me in my community at peterliciaga.com where we can share our stories, our scars, and our strength together. Let’s walk this journey with courage and grace.
Until next time, my friends, let’s continue to live strong.
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If you’d prefer to listen to this reflection with music from my Epic Living Strong Warriors playlist, head over to my podcast Living Strong Adventures and let me know what track resonates with you the most. You can find the podcast and music here on YouTube or on Spotify.
