Considering the uses of adversity (pt.2)
Hi folks,
I'm emotionally drained right now. It's been a hard few days. I think the worst part of it all is the grief that my friend is suffering and my inability to do anything to relieve it. I sit here on the verge of tears as I think about how hard this must be for her right now. It may sound rather trite to say 'consider the uses of adversity' in a situation such as this, but it's a good thing to think of.
Sometimes, we sit in the depths of our grief and suffering at a loss for understanding how anything good can come from so much pain. It's rather dumbfounding, actually, to see the sheer mass of misery that comes from the various things that happen in our lives. When people we love die, when our lovers leave us, or when we lose our jobs, it is a harsh blow to our heart and sense of well being. It can throw us into deep depression for a period of time, with some people suffering to the point where they need medical assistance to rise out of it and others suffering silently to the extent that the choose to end their own lives. It is almost heartless to say that trite sounding expression 'consider the uses of adversity', almost.
I can't say that it is heartless to say that expression because I personally know that good things come out of it if we choose them. Pain and suffering are like any other emotion in our lives. Emotions are a form of energy that we experience in our lives. We can choose how we apply this energy in our lives. That choice can be a source of hope during our times of misery. We can take that pain and use it to bring something good into the world. It is not easy to do so, goodness knows it's not easy. But it is something we can choose to do.
How do we make such a choice? The first step is to allow you to feel your emotion fully even as you do not allow the emotion to master you. It is possible to feel any emotion intensely and not act in a rash and wild fashion. Once we fully know what we're feeling, we can then choose what we can do with it. It is that knowledge which allows us to make an informed decision. Combine this with a clear sense of what you are personally skilled in, it's possible to do wonderful things with any emotion.
Some of the most amazing music on earth is rich with emotion. People have built houses, founded charities, and built businesses from their pain. Adversity always can be used, we simply need to honor it, accept it, and then choose what we shall do with it.
For my part, it is my wish that my post today brings hope to someone who needs it. Aside from that, please forgive my somber tone and rambling. I, like my friend, am struggling with a bit of grief.
Blessings to you and yours.