why is catalyst so painful?

[Meerie]

there is something in the human mind (or my mind at least) that seems to resist the beautific change that the promptings of catalyst offer, and yet these are promptings that do not go away until addressed.

I think Plenum gave the answer himself... it is painful because we resist.
I read a good saying the other day,

‎"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way." Author Unknown