A Joyous Perspective on Suffering: Perserverance Produces Inspiration

It's Friday, and time for another Friday Night Thought Tale Hour with the Henderson's. I've been taking a look at the subject of suffering this week on my page. (more here) Coincidentally, I was also tested regarding my statement that real suffering isn't about a temporary ill. I have been tormented by a terrible cold/flu thing all week. Yes, it does make one suffer when there is a pain in you, or a terrible thing happens, or there is an emotional disappointment. But the suffering found in the temporary is not what tonight's Thought Tale is about. Not to diminish them, but anything that imparts a 'this too shall pass' philosophy is not the kind of suffering I want to shine my joyous perspective on tonight. I'm talking about the suffering that comes to us and takes up residence in our soul. It's not going to leave us, even if we find a way to ignore it for moments at a time. As long as we are breathing, this kind of suffering will make us catch our breath when we are reminded of its presence.

All of us as individuals respond to suffering in different ways.

As I considered suffering this week, I immediately realized the last thing I wanted to do was make people feel their suffering was any less than another person's suffering. My real hope was to encourage that person who is afraid to let go of pain or affliction that they have allowed morph into a suffering to see the difference. If you've picked a sore long enough and rubbed dirt into it, you're going to get gangrene. That could take a limb off, and that's real suffering. If you are picking and sitting in the dirt, get up and stop it. If you can't get up, ask someone to help you. Because here's the defining difference:

Actual suffering happens to us; we don't invite it upon ourselves.

As I came to this conclusion, I recalled one of my all-time favorite novels, "Great Expectations," by Charles Dickens. I realized why the story of Pip struck me so when I found this quote:

“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, 

but - I hope - into a better shape.”

~"Pip" Charles Dickens

There is absolutely nothing that feels hopeful or inspirational when you initially are tossed into a place of suffering. Those early times (I will not quantify the length) will either find you grasping or gasping. Answers elude and suggestions are stale. And then, you come to a fork, and if I've caught you there, hang on tight with me. If you are past it, take a look back.

You are given a choice to make the suffering the center of who you are, or find a way to integrate it into how you go forward.

If you choose the first way, suffering will become your Sun, Moon, and Stars. It will define you and annihilate you. If you choose the second part, you will allow the suffering to show you things about your heart - your being, your soul, your psyche - (whatever term feels right to you) that you haven't been willing to look at before. 

And you will be bent, and you will feel broken, 

but eventually, you will be a better shape.

Like Pip, you have to find your way to perseverance. Perseverance is that strength that comes from the inner reaches of your mind. It is fueled by your belief, your desire, and your hopes. All three of these things have to challenge and be activated if you want to persevere over suffering. All three will be tested and tried as you grasp onto perseverance. Expect it and be ready. But if you can allow perseverance to grow, the fruits of it are spectacular.

That's when you find the real inspiration that can come from your sufferings. 

And those inspirational fruits are full of seeds and nutrients which you can share with others around you. The suffering, while still there, has now taken on a new meaning. It no longer defines you; it no longer darkens you. Rather, it makes you shine. It makes you stronger.

So tonight, we will toast to our sufferings. Yes, we can do that, as they have bent us into a different shape. I found a Pinot Noir called "Inspiration," which seemed perfect for the occasion. Here's to all of you, whether you too have suffered or if you are just called to help others with theirs. May you find your way to persevere, and share the fruits liberally. CHEERS, FRIENDS!