Out of suffering, have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. Kahlil Gibran
Pic: Pexels
“Even if the seed of suffering is strong, we
must not wait until there is no more suffering
before allowing ourselves to be happy.
Life is both wonderful and dreadful.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Most of us are content to create time and space for our happiness and abundance, but not our suffering.
And although no one chooses to suffer, suffering has taught me many times, that when I accept it and surrender into it, I learn to transcend my thoughts about it and embrace the learnings and resilience I gain from it.
Maybe it’s all the fairytales we grew up listening to that created a false sense of our reality, or a belief that life should always have a happy ending.
But as we all know, there is deep suffering in many parts of our world and has always been throughout history.
And so, perhaps the only thing we can continue to do is to open our hearts, and offer compassion and support to each other, never knowing when we may face the same. And when we face our suffering either individually, or collectively, may we learn to trust with faith, we all hold the strength and resilience to move through it.
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Very moving words Karen, those very hard parts are indeed those things that move us very profoundly and teach us that empathy, compassion and the love that builds them. As only a heart who has been there can truly express. Thank you for sharing that beauty created ❤️🙏
Thank you Mark. Our suffering is our greatest teacher. 🙏🏻
Mark you are so right: as only a heart who has been there can truly express.
wonderful and wise words
Thank you Beth 🧡
This touched me deeply. Joining you in compassion and love 💞🕊️
Thank you Val, may we all support each other in love 🧡💕
Amen, Karen, well-put. 💕 🙏🏼
Thanks Eliza 🩷💕
“Never knowing when we may face the same.” Oh the truth is our humble existence. How we are so capable of creating our lives while at the same time, suffering them. Wisdom can come from the wreckage of our own creations, as well. What a post to meditate on! 🤗 hugs Karen. Your energy is always felt through your writing as one who has walked through the fire and found the grace. Your message lands safely in my heart and gently embrace it with the knowing that I do not know what’s around the corner, giving my earnest response. May all being be free. 💗
Thank you Ka. This is such a beautiful heartfelt comment. Our truth is indeed our humble existence. Blessings to you as a true light in this world ⭐️💕
It is the heart (non-dual) that will save us from the duality of the brain
Yes always 🙏🏻🧡
Thank you, Karen, for your heartfelt words. The photo is both sad and hopeful. ❤
Yes I agree Carol. How we move, act and live in the world effects everyone. May we all find peace within 💕🧡
You write about this feeling of seeing (and imagining) the suffering of people around the world (and now, the struggle of children and hope for them in Gaza), and you eloquently state that what we can continue to do is open our hearts and also be compassionate to all those around us. I see a photo like the one you have in this post, and my heart fills with hope and admiration for these children who have so much resilience and strength… It makes me want to be the same. It is such a heartbreaking situation.
Compassion and love is the power that each of us can create in our daily actions. And I too hope that the children of our future do not repeat the choices and suffering of the present and the past. Thank you Randall for your comment.