Don't get me wrong. I am not down or depressed right now...but I am wondering about the point of all this suffering. I'm in pain / exhausted most of the day/week/month/year for 3 years now.
I am not wondering about the point of life's meaning but rather if this suffering can teach a lesson. What is the lesson? Let's face it, we all suffer. But to what end? In my case when I am "healthy" again will I just go straight back to work and do 8 hour shifts to save $ and consume things? Will I go back to not appreciating every moment? To living for the future at the expense of the present? Will I go back to being critical of self and others?
I do see how short life is. And that there are no guarantees. But I don't feel well equipped to put my lessons into a practical, workable life lesson.
Or am I just trying to optimize everything again... Maybe we are meant to just experience the good and the bad; to experience as much as possible.. And not label it?
I would love to hear your comments about how suffering has changed your life for the better.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
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C'mon folks its been a whole 30 minutes and noone has responded yet!
ReplyDeleteI once suffered from a hang-nail...i learned to cut my toe nails weekly.
ReplyDeleteI think, and of course, I have a different perspective given that I have not had to suffer as you have over the last few years (36?), that thinking less is the way to go. And then after that pause, think more again.
ReplyDelete-Yo
You answered your own question. Will you go back to working 8 hours a day and saving every penny just to consume things? Would you have ever even gained the insight to realize that maybe you were not enjoying or appreciating life to its fullest potential when you were healthy? The answer will lie in your actions when you are well again and then you will know if you have gained from all this suffering. In order to appreciate light we have to experience darkness, otherwise we just take it for granted. Once something is taken away from you, you realize how important it was and then when it is given back to you it is sometimes easy to take it for granted and forget what was learned.
ReplyDeleteTo the person who last commented, very well said:
ReplyDelete"In order to appreciate light we have to experience darkness"
"Once something is taken away from you, you realize how important it was and then when it is given back to you it is sometimes easy to take it for granted and forget what was learned."
And that's the real point of all my documenting with this blog: To try to distill a few lessons. And to not forget what was learned, months, years later.
I wonder how others have grown from their suffering. What's changed in daily life?
As Yo(MOFO) I have not suffered to your extent, but I did learn few lessons and made changes in my daily life.
ReplyDelete1) When I was young I was I real reckless, I broke several bones and risked my life a few times. I went through some personal sufferings + I realized I was giving worries and pain to my family so I decided it was not worth, I setteld down and I now avoid useless risks: i.e. no motorcycle, always in security whatever I do (sports, driving etc)
2) I have seen people going through pain because of desises caused by smoking, pollution (asbestos) , non healthy food etc. So I try to to live in a safe environment and to have a healthy life.
3) During my miltary training I realized how important are some things that we give from granted such as:
-- Having one hour of realax walking on the street
-- Sleeping 7 hours per day
-- Having the possibility to take a shower and personal hygiene
I love the range of this blog. One moment nicki nicki nine doors to deep philosophical questions! I think (as was mentioned in another response) that it is hard to compare anything that I have been through with what you have been through for the past 3 years. What I have found is that any meaning I have made out of my suffering has usually come through analyzing it ‘through the rear view mirror’ once the experience is over (in some instances-long over). It’s a bit easier to see some of the positive outcomes of suffering with added time. Some situations lend themselves to make meaning or learn lessons over others. So many things guide a person along the path in life that they choose and I feel that suffering is one of them. I feel that certain major life decisions that have led me in certain directions have been influenced in part by some very unfortunate life experiences.
ReplyDeleteLet's face it, most of us will lead dull lives. Work, pay bills, raise family, suffer something, sometimes find something beautiful to appreciate, work, pay bills, etc. The cycle continues. Oh and then death.
ReplyDeleteI think that if it's possible to enjoy the little things more, and not take them for granted that would be a real blessing. And perhaps put the "small annoyances" into better context.
Example: When you guys go take a nice juicy steamy dump next time, sit back and revel in it. I know Yo does this. Enjoy the smell, the process, the efficiency of your working system. Enjoy that there's no blood and that your food intake has miraculously been processed and your cells are being nourished by a system that is so wonderfully complex and efficient.
Seriously.
It's the little things that we take for granted that if we just stopped (and smelled the roses) would be of great life benefit. Enjoy the feeling of the fall air on your face. These things will not always be there for you so enjoy them while you can. Not to be morbid but carpe diem!
I would rather be ashes than dust!
ReplyDeleteI would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.
I once suffered a broken heart. i don't know that the pain has ever left me as i hoped for, though it subsided. Invariably, i am reminded of it. i have grown to accept that i will, always have it...in time i may learn why. But i wonder less now.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we live if not for moments of joy or happiness.
i look forward to being with my family on Thanksgiving. The sunrise was beautiful on Monday. It lasted less that 6 minutes before its glory folded into the day. i gave thanks to be witness to that fleeting moment. Thankful for my sight, for being able to distinguish colours and avoid cars while i drove...and for being really able to be in that moment. i am reminded that Fall gives beautiful light to the world.
i often enjoy my poos. It is an amazing time of reflection and a good alone time break.
A friend mentioned that she (Devika) thinks that life is all connected. The her whole being does not end within her physical realm...that her consciousness is the worlds, that there is no barrier or divide. i am beginning to read of Indian philosophy in an effort to connect to the root of this muted divide in consciousness.
You have experiences you have, you gain what you can from them, and if they repeat, there is something more to be had.
In my belief system, people suffered for their faith. It was like a badge of honour. i am puzzled by this but not as repulsed as i once was. Why?
What is gained when we suffer you ask. A sense of endurance? A sense of hopelessness? A blind belief in Goodness? A stronger sense of self? Does it make reality manifest?
i don't know, but i do know that i am saved by the beauty i have known when all else seemed empty.
I suffered from UC as well, Steve - and here's what has changed in my daily life because of it:
ReplyDelete1. Stress has always aggravated my symptoms, so I have learned not to let myself get stressed out. Especially over the little things that I have no control over in the first place.
2. Now that I have a temp ileo, I truly appreciate and enjoy all sorts of foods! When my boyfriend makes me a nice dinner, I almost cry with happiness that I can actually eat the food and not run to the bathroom ten times during dinner and another dozen times afterwards.
3. I understand that "healthy" is a relative term. While I suffered from UC, and then had to go through a rough recovery processes after my first surgery - I know it could have been a lot worse. I am thankful for the health that I have - I have all my fingers and toes, my disease was curable, I still have my wits about me, etc.
4. I have greater empathy for those that suffer. When someone is complaining about something (bad back, etc), I understand how they feel - they feel like nothing could be worse, like the pain and suffering consumes them, etc. I know that feeling all too well and I empathize with them.
5. Mostly though, I have learned how strong I am. In my day to day life, if I come across an obstacle, I no longer doubt my abilities to get through the challenge at hand. I have been through so much, and survived!
That's Very Cool. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLet me add this one..
Trying to control what can't be controlled + Entitlement + "Shoulds".... Maybe I'm finally learning the lesson here!
These are all manifestations of the same thing and should be treated with caution. Let go and have faith (after doing your best). It feels soooo much better and more peaceful in my heart of hearts. Lots to learn on this one but I'll keep trying to say yes to life despite the million reasons to say no.