How dealing with and embracing the idea of suffering can lead to greatness

Suffering becomes beautiful when anyone bears great calamities with cheerfulness, not through insensibility but through greatness of mind. Aristotle

Maybe you don't want to read this blog because it doesn't give you a nice feeling to think of your own suffering or the suffering of others. I am feeling the pain as I write. It's the idea of suffering that we cannot fathom. We know we cannot escape suffering and pain as they are a part of our human hearts and bodies. So we try to keep it at bay for as long as possible. We feel the urge to run away so we don't have to deal with these intense feelings and emotions. I am writing about it to give suffering a voice.

We all suffer in our own yet similar ways as we face life's calamities. When we suffer or we see others suffering, it causes us to search for meaning in our own life and in life itself. There is a sense of loneliness and/or isolation. Our internal dialogue tries to find a way out of the pain and can end up getting lost. In reality we are never really alone in our suffering as others too have suffered the same feelings or similar experiences to us. Sharing experiences during a time of suffering is why support groups are so successful.

Since suffering is a shared human experience, why don't we embrace it? It seems to me that on the whole, we tend to leave alone those who suffer so they can deal with their situation with their closest of kin. Friends disappear and connections are lost. We 'don't have time we are just too busy' to deal with other people's suffering. That's just what we do. Collectively, we create more suffering! The loneliness and fear that accompanies suffering can be relieved. Collectively, we need to embrace the idea of suffering so it is eased in all our hearts and minds. Don't we ourselves appreciate kind offerings and caring sentiments when we are suffering or when we see our close ones receive such embracing?

Dealing with suffering promotes the healing process and allows us to move into a better place within ourselves. Aristotle infers that suffering can become beautiful when we achieve a greatness of mind. How? By moving out of dark, painful moments and into the light of happy moments. By allowing ourselves to feel the joy of giving what we are able to give. By staying true and not running away, accepting our calamities, having faith, feeling love, appreciating life and being thankful. And the list could go on.

Achieving such a greatness of mind is not easy to accomplish but can you imagine bearing life's curve balls with cheerfulness? If we could achieve this state of mind and maintain it, then possibly it is impossible for the heart to be suffering.