Favorite Inspiring Quotes
Suffering & Renewal
Commentary by Peter Shepherd

“We point to our unhappy circumstances to rationalize our negative feelings. This is the easy way out. It takes, after all, very little effort to feel victimized.” ~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Although we have only limited control over what happens to us, we can always choose how to respond. We hold our power when we accept responsibility for our thoughts, feelings and actions.
“If a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him; for where there is nothing but pure misery there never is any recourse to the mention of it.” ~ Samuel Johnson
Sometimes it serves a person to complain... to obtain sympathy, for example, or to make another wrong. A function of weak, fearful ego.
“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
To achieve our dreams we need to break out of our comfort zone and start to accept and work with the unfamiliar and the unknown.
“Although the world is very full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” ~ Helen Keller
Grief, sorrow, sickness and suffering are part of the means by which we learn the greatest lessons. If truth were to be found with ease, it would not be appreciated. When truth is only realized after great sorrow or suffering, more value is placed upon it by the one who is ready to receive. As Helen Keller also said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
“Making things positive doesn't mean a sunny outlook; it means making the choice to see problems as opportunities. Every problem and difficult situation is embedded with a solution - the adventure lies in finding the solution.” ~ Brahma Kumaris
Suffering is the result of resistance, when how you feel things ought to be doesn't match how they really are. So much better to simply embrace people, things, feelings... as they are. Not to label things as good or bad, especially 'totally' or 'always.' We suffer least when we can accept reality just as it is, and not to resist seeing the truth. That's not to say do nothing to correct or improve things, but we benefit most when we open our heart in compassion and our mind in appreciation.
“To live a life of gratitude is to open our eyes to the countless ways in which we are supported by the world around us. Such a life provides less space for our suffering because our attention is more balanced. We are more often occupied with noticing what we are given, thanking those who have helped us, and repaying the world in some concrete wayfor what we are receiving.” ~ Gregg Krech
Here’s some further reading on this theme...
Our Spiritual Path ~ by Peter Shepherd
With identification there is no distance from which to view. Only by becoming the witness to our feelings can we adopt the responsible viewpoint, from which we can then release the emotion, to let it go when it no longer serves. Then you can change your mind - beliefs and decisions can be changed in an instant when you've released the emotional charge attached to them. This new understanding is well proven as the basis of successful modern psychological practice and therapy and applied in personal development. Continues...