Book Review: The Untold Truth About Pain; How to turn pain into power

 

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved”– Helen Keller.

I had a privilege of interviewing Mogale Molala, the author of The Untold Truth About Pain; How to turn pain into power for my podcast. The aim of the podcast is to do book reviews together with their authors so I can dig deep and find underlying ideas, principles and concepts behind those books.

In his book, Mogale share his story from a young age where he experienced pain in different aspect of his life, from family to relationships. At the age of 10, it’s almost impossible to imagine a boy child spending six months in a hospital bed because of ulcers derived from Stress.

His predicaments started at age eight when the court ordered him to choose between his mother and father as they were getting a divorce. He chose to live with his Mother despite being enticed by his rich father who promised him a better and fancy life.

Although his father was absent in his life, it pained him to see his father during his teenage years at the malls and other public places and go pass him without exchanging greetings. He says “The problem that teenagers face relates to rejection, which may lead them to drugs, alcohol, and become suicidal.”

In the book he confessed, “I tried to commit suicide a couple of times not because I am weak or lack emotional intelligence but because I am human too.” When you read the book you would surely understand why his painful situation lead to people, including his family members labelling him as pain itself.  

One time he tried to commit suicide with pill overdose such as antidepressants, pain killers, ulcer pills, but his girlfriend at the time came to the rescue and saved his life. To thank her, he booked a weekend away with her in nature because she also supported him even when his family was judging him.

He iterates that bad things do happen; how you respond to them define your character and route your life from then on. He continues to say pain lead to growth and opportunities. And life without pain is meaningless. What you focus is what you get; problem or opportunities? You choose.

In the book, he uses rainbow colours as a metaphor to describe different emotions we go through, with red representing anger and yellow representing happiness. Whatever painful situation you find yourself in, always remember there is yellow colour in the rainbow and be grateful.

He says gratitude is one of the most important components that help in sad times because life isn’t just about sad memories. We forever need to look back and check the rainbow colours, and choose to see the yellow and indigo, see how amazing the world is, but above all how amazing we are.

Forgiveness and acceptance are key when you want to live a healthy and stress free life. You are the captain of your own life, you either choose to make excuses or make progress. The decision is yours. He emphasizes.

The book is truly motivating and inspiring especially when he points out that your gifts and talents are not only meant for you; they are for others too. Share them with others, nurture them and God will continue to bless you more. Remain true to yourself.

Decision-making plays an important role in our lives. What you think, you become. What you feel you attract and what you imagine you create.

As someone who love reading and education in general, I saw myself clapping hands when he said in the book “education doesn’t end in a classroom or lecture hall. We educate ourselves daily through the books we are reading.”  

During the podcast interview, he shared with us that the first book that he read lead to the first book he wrote, but unfortunately it wasn’t published as the manuscript was lost together with his stolen laptop.

The second book he read led to the second book that he wrote and published –The Untold Truth About Pain, while the third book he read led him to quit smoking. Another book titled the Art of Hustling led him to start his own business. He says. Reading helps you discover and fulfil your dreams.

The overall message of The Untold About Pain: How to turn pain into power can be summarized through the words of Phillip Baker, the author of Secrets of Super Achievers, who said.

“Achieving in life is not just being in the right place in the right time, but also about being in the wrong place in the wrong time and not giving up. Greatness is often born in the cauldron of suffering and pain, where the abilities to maintain perspective and walk in forgiveness are learned. It is in the hard places, the lonely places that we discover if we really have an all-consuming purpose or sense of destiny.

Super Achievers responds to pain differently from other people. They do not look for escape, but for lessons. They get better than bitter. They realize that, in the words of Robert Schuller, ‘Tough times don’t last, tough people do’. More than that, they see pain and trial as prerequisite for the character lessons that must be learned if destiny is to be reached.”