Quote:
Originally Posted by jacq10
What if your T could guarantee that you are going through your suffering for a reason? Would it make a difference? Would you live your suffering differently?
As hard as it is to see sometimes, I believe that my suffering as made me the person I am today. My suffering has provided me with empathy and understanding for others, and has made me stop and ask the big questions of life.
My pdoc says that we don't always see the "big picture" - if we see the big picture - but there IS a big picture. Our actions affect others in ways that we can't possibly know. Most importantly, she believes that its our suffering that is the key to helping others, and that when we lean into the feelings of suffering they are less painful and we move through it more quickly.
What are your thoughts?
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Good morning Jacq,
I believe suffering can be positive. As I have gotten older, I realize my childhood and the years beyond gave me gifts I couldn't have received under any other circumstances. The first was the gift of resiliency. After reading Gina O'Connell Higgins as a adult, I realized I was resilient from a young age, 5-6. In her experience, children who could take a small kindness from an adult and hang onto them until the next positive encounter were able to maintain a sense of hope. If I had followed my path, I would have self destructed. Fortunately, throughout the years I have had several wonderful therapists and some Christian mystics who walked with me as I fought my way to the light. The journey continues and I maintain relationships with positive, loving people.
I have questioned myself for many years.....what makes the difference? How can 2 people in the same negative environment come out so differently? Victor Frankl devoted much of his life pondering and answering the question. I find his work fascinating and beneficial. I ask another question, why me? That one cuts both ways......why were periods of my life so horrible or I asked why did I make it through with a sense of humanity? I still have questions, but I also have a great deal of gratitude.
I do agree, it is the big picture. When going through the muck and mire whether living it or trudging through it in therapy, it is painful. In the grand scheme, it can make sense.
Regards,
Sabra