“The attempt to escape from pain is what creates more pain”
— Gabor Mate
Simplified Meaning:
When we try to run away from things that hurt us or make us uncomfortable, we often make things worse for ourselves. Imagine you have a small cut on your hand. If you ignore it or try to pretend it's not there, it can get infected and hurt even more later. The same idea applies to emotional pain. If you avoid dealing with sadness, anger, or fear, those feelings can grow and become harder to handle over time. For example, if someone loses their job and pretends they’re fine without talking about their worries, they might become more stressed and anxious. Facing the pain head-on, like sharing their feelings with friends or looking for a new job, can help them feel better and find solutions. By confronting our pain and finding healthy ways to deal with it, we can start healing and prevent our problems from growing bigger.