There is no Life Without suffering

We are creatures of community. Those individuals, societies, and cultures who learned to take care of each other, to love each other, and to nurture relationships with each other during the past several hundred thousand years were more likely to survive than those who did not. – Dr. Dean Ornish

This could also be translated as: there is an absolute universality to suffering; there is no way for any human being, no matter how successful, no matter how wealthy, no matter how blithe of heart, to arrange circumstances such that they will be exempt from the emotional and physical hurts common to all people who have ever lived. This is a given: a foundational reality.” David Whyte

The tricky part of any suffering is that we often think that it shouldn’t happen to me. And then of course we have “piggy-back” suffering. Suffering on top of suffering. Unless we come to the understanding that we too are not exempt, and can let go of the why’s and the why me, and the unfairness, we will suffer more.

Please don’t misunderstand.

This does not imply a passive stance nor do we lie down and give up. It is the acknowledgement of the numerous problems, large and small that we will contend with during our lifetime. And, we turn over every stone and knock on every door to solve the problem and get back on track. I have no idea whether there is deep meaning in suffering. I do know there is deep meaning in living, and suffering is included.

And that’s not all. What is also included is laughter, love, accomplishment, joy, friendship, family in a variety of combinations, coincidences, learning new things, stories, memories, seeing the sunset, hearing not just the first bird song of the day but all of them, spotting the first crocus or bud or blade of grass…resting, walking, eating, saying hello and good-bye, contributing, comforting…The meaning is in noticing it all, nothing excluded; giving and receiving; doing our bit. Life is a precious gift, each and every moment. And suffering, disappointment, and loss is included.

As for me, I continue to want more of these living, breathing days.

Notes

Note 1:) Let us grapple with the challenges that come our way. Ask for help when you need it.

Note 2:) The cheerful Couch Choir from Australia. “With 3222 singing strangers from 48 countries sharing their voices and a slice of their lives with us.” Happy Together – listen here

Note 3:) May you have a wonderful week and I thank you for stopping by here to read my blog. Warmest greetings and appreciation, Trudy

PS I forgot to tell you where that graphic came from. It is a lovely small book that took the world by storm. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Georgie says:

May 13, 2021 at 6:43 am

The video started my day with a wide smile. It was so well done and I thought as I watched it that the person(s) organizing it must have worked so hard to get it just right, and to pick the people featured must have been very challenging. How can they get more people to view it!!
Have a great day. Stay safe.
Georgie

T Boyle says:
May 13, 2021 at 12:54 pm

They are an interesting group Georgie. Here is a clip from utube. “Every submission that we successfully received was manually added to the collective. And then we saw the magic unfold… Plug in those earphones and turn this up.
We can’t adequately express in words what a gift your videos were to us. Each was like unwrapping a beautiful, personal, virtual hug. Thanks for trusting us with your voices, and for sharing your lives with us for a few minutes.” How they actually did it is fascinating and I agree that it must have been a pretty horendous task with all those submissions. Glad you liked it.

Janice says:

May 13, 2021 at 10:10 am

The foundational reality of suffering, yes, and the universality of beauty and simple joys – this is the life I embrace as well. Love the fox image/quote 🙂 love Jan

T Boyle says:
May 13, 2021 at 12:57 pm

Thank you Janice. I appreciate you taking time every week to read and comment. I love that fox too.

Jean says:

May 14, 2021 at 12:50 am

There is suffering.Yet, sometimes when we make time to actually see the beauty and if one gets super involved, the pain just is. And we have probably learned something new. Thanks for reminding us, Trudy.