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November 2009 
Do you believe there is value in suffering?
Posted on Jan 11th, 2009
by 
AJ
AJ
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for January 11, 2009:
The most positive things about suffering, imo, are:
1. It makes you less likely to take feeling good for granted. When you go through a bout of suffering, getting back to normal feels wonderful!
2. It makes you more understanding of others when they go through suffering. Before, one might have sympathy for someone else, but the suffering allows them to also have empathy.
3. It also gives you the confidence to tell somebody now walking in your shoes that this too shall pass.
Suffering can also result in some hits in visual arts, music, writing, etc.
I'm currently working on a book about a time when I went through a deep depression and didn't know why.
At the time, I had some reasons that I might feel sad or uncertain, but the depression was overdoing it. It turned out to have physical more than psychological reasons--a chemical imbalance in my body.
I'm now (over 35 years later) using my experiences to help others--as well as to take part in the well-known dream of writers: bookwriting!
1. It makes you less likely to take feeling good for granted. When you go through a bout of suffering, getting back to normal feels wonderful!
2. It makes you more understanding of others when they go through suffering. Before, one might have sympathy for someone else, but the suffering allows them to also have empathy.
3. It also gives you the confidence to tell somebody now walking in your shoes that this too shall pass.
Suffering can also result in some hits in visual arts, music, writing, etc.
I'm currently working on a book about a time when I went through a deep depression and didn't know why.
At the time, I had some reasons that I might feel sad or uncertain, but the depression was overdoing it. It turned out to have physical more than psychological reasons--a chemical imbalance in my body.
I'm now (over 35 years later) using my experiences to help others--as well as to take part in the well-known dream of writers: bookwriting!
Peter Paul & Mary (& Friends) - Day Is Done
Access: Public
you are right about suffering creates art – the most creative people are the ones going through suffering or those that have overcome it.
There’s a reason for this, I believe. When we’re inspired to make something creative from our life experiences, we’re giving a gift to people who might need it. I’ve just had the opportunity to do something like this in the last few minutes, and I feel really great!!!