Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Suffering is one of those things that can suddenly broaden awareness. You can slip below and succumb to negativity, which is easy to do; or you can rise above and transcend. You may be able to defeat it, but that’s not always the point. The point is to not be defeated. That battle is internal, and you have control on that front.
A situation could be benign if seen without a thought. It’s a thought about a certain situation that seems to trigger suffering. What would the moment be like if it contained no commentary? “This sucks!” “These people are horrible!” “Another canceled flight! I cannot believe I have to go through this again!” Your narration is what causes the blood to boil. What if you could step back and notice the adverse effects of your own judgments?
Life squeezes us through tight corners to help us push through to the growth potential. Suffering awakens you. It makes you think more broadly, but not if you’re closed down with negative judgement. Stephen Hawking overcame tremendous physical limitations. He was trapped in a body that did not function, yet his mind was one of the most creative of our time. He transcended a nonfunctional body that most of us would have decayed in. He thrived in it and managed to make enormous contribution to the world. Can you imagine – thriving in paralysis? He may not have defeated it physically, but he wasn’t defeated by it and transcended it spiritually. We never have to let our negative experiences deflate, defeat, or stop us. There always seems to be a way forward, but not if you are overtaken by your negative commentary. You have to recognize those times when life is pushing you to rely on yourself and to transcend defeatist mentality. The squeeze is never personal, but the test is in your ability to recognize growth potential.