Here are 4 major benefits of mentally reframing pain and suffering by putting a positive spin on it: 1. Perspective: The world operates in terms of dichotomies. By that I mean that opposing forces dominate our world. There’s high/low, happy/sad, awake/asleep, good/evil… the list goes on. Opposing forces provide balance in life. In this way, pain and suffering allow you to appreciate and understand health and wellness in a new way by giving you the perspective of seeing more clearly what’s truly important to you. 2. Sensitivity: Experiencing pain and suffering provides you with insight into a new world. It delivers a new kind of awareness, understanding and sensitivity toward others that you can’t get any other way. As a result, it allows you to become more sensitive, caring and comforting to others who may also be hurting and struggling. 3. Character: As I’ve witnessed firsthand, pain and suffering can be a powerful builder of character. The strong hands of suffering can shape your character by making you either angry and resentful or more humble and appreciative. As German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote: “That which does not kill me, makes me stronger.” 4. Gratitude: Pain and suffering can be a gratitude enhancer by making you more grateful for the simple pleasures in life. It’s only when those things we take for granted are suddenly unavailable to us that we tend to appreciate them the most. There are those who believe that without pain, there’s no way you can know joy. I suggest you use unfortunate experiences wisely and not allow them to use you. After all, as illustrated by that famous old Buddhist saying, pain and suffering are really two very different animals: Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:56:01 +0000
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