Suffering

Sometimes, the suffering of the world around us can feel heavy and unbearable. My heart aches when I look at news coverage of the recent earthquake in Turkey, or the ongoing war in Ukraine. There’s a temptation to look away because the pain is uncomfortable, but ironically, the pain and suffering are part of what binds us together as humans. Outside of donating money and offering prayers/positive energy, what else can I do but FEEL with them. If there ever comes a day when the suffering of others doesn’t cause my heart to ache, and doesn’t draw me into solidarity with them, then I’ve lost my bearings as a compassionate human. Life goes on…suffering comes and goes…but the ability to BE and FEEL with someone in the midst of suffering is essential…and priceless. Don’t turn away from what you see. Allow it to make you even more aware of and more present to the suffering of people close to you…people you CAN reach out to. Be with them. I promise you, it will produce gratitude in you for the state of your own life, no matter what challenges you face. Every ounce of suffering we alleviate in each other makes an impact on the total suffering of the world.