Pain and suffering = vulnerability and authenticity?

We wonder why bad things happen and why there is such suffering in the world. Religious, or not, it's hard to understand why abuse, tragedy and horrors are a part of life. How do we cope? Especially when any of these things strike close to home. We search for answers, often without sufficient explanation or comfort. Does anything good come from the trauma's in our lives?

The Art of Happiness offers some solace on this front. A psychiatrist asks the Dalai Lama this question - "Why is there such suffering in the world?"... the response is around us communing with one another. According to experts, without having experienced certain things, we simply wouldn't achieve the same level of meaningful empathy. Sympathy, maybe, but not a true, heart and gut-wrenching understanding of the painful experience someone is having. Can any of us understand the pain of losing a child - unless we're a parent who is coping with such a tragedy?... not likely... We are forever changed by life altering experiences and just maybe we are transformed in a way that allows us greater depth of experience with one another. It's interesting to look back on any of our worst moments in life. Have we come away with anything meaningful? Perhaps, after that painful break up and/or betrayal, we have gained important perspective. A broken heart requires repair and in the healing, it's possible that we re-think our role in the experience. Did we choose the right partner anyway? Were we honouring ourselves in the relationship? With an inner reno, if you will, maybe we realize that we weren't being honest with ourselves, or we weren't communicating very well. Hell, maybe we realize we haven't even been willing to be vulnerable and authentic in the way that the best relationships require... just sayin;) (Ps. therapy isn't for everyone, but there are some great books that can guide us through a worthy post mortem of our love lives, to prevent carnage moving forward. Keeping the Love You Find offers particularly helpful exercises. It's not too painful, Lol;)). Hugs.

Blessings,

Chatgirl