Pain and Suffering
1 Comment | Latest by: Michelle | Add Your Comment! »»
Read this somewhere the other day, can't remember just now... I like it.
"Pain is inevitable;
Suffering is optional"
I think I'm remembering it wrong, but you get the idea. If I find the actual quote and author even, I'll post again.
This one means a lot to me, because - those who know me will attest - I went through a lot of physical pain in my late teenage years with all the problems and surgeries I had on my knee and ankle. For me it's a good reminder about having a good attitude, which I always seem to forget.
Trackback: http://philsown.org/2007/04/pain-and-suffering/trackback
Comments
How to Put Your Face Next to Your Comment
Jul 4, 2008
Actually, you quoted it correctly. Even though I didn't know you as long ago as when you were going through your medical difficulties, you have recounted it to me several times. Although you were in pain, you did not let it deter you completely from enjoying life. From what I remember, you started learning to play the guitar at that time since you had to keep your leg elevated, and to this day, you still find comfort and joy in playing your guitar at any given moment. Music has always been important to you and you did not let pain prevent you from having it be part of your life. Now your guitar is a part of how you identify yourself and in a way, it's a sign of what you have been through and how you turned a negative situation into a journey of overcoming a difficult obsticle to success. And, if I do say so myself, I also find a lot of joy and happiness when you're playing.
Sometimes it just seems like we were always suffering because we equate pain with suffering. Usually pain is one of the most prominent memories from something such as surgery, especially if the pain lasts quite some time after and long term care is needed. Looking back, perhaps you might catch yourself remembering things you may have forgotten along the way if you set aside the thoughts regarding the pain you experienced then.