It’s part of the human condition isn’t it, the drive to be happy. We push and pull, struggle and strive on the seesaw between joy and suffering, desperately holding on to the happiness side more ardently. Not realizing that the pendulum must tick between the two, for us to become whole in joy.
We don’t feel joy due to a lack of suffering, we feel joy because of it. Sometimes our choices cause us suffering and sometimes our suffering is imposed on us by the choices of others. We then have no choice, but to move through it.
When we’ve moved through it. When we’ve let it go, and when we’ve come out on the other side. That’s where the real joy is. Provided of course that you find meaning in your suffering and don’t become stuck in it.
Here’s a little video I made over a year ago about finding meaning in suffering and becoming unstuck so you can find joy again.
It’s a fascinating subject isn’t it? Joy and suffering. And it impacts every single one of us.
When you’re done watching, tell me about a time you’ve moved through something difficult, and found the meaning in it and the joy after.
Share as a post or in comments below.
This is the Journey to Joy series. Write a post, like a gratitude journal about something you’ve experienced on this journey to joy. Ping back or link your post in comments by next Friday, and I’ll share it in my next Journey to Joy post. Let’s share the joy in this journey!
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I love this post. 13 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a difficult time in my life but I grew so much from the experience. On the 10th anniversary of my diagnosis, I wrote a blog post about 10 ways cancer has changed my life for the better. It completely transformed how I view the world. When we’re faced with suffering, be it physical or emotional, we have two choices. We can wallow and ask “Why me?” Or we can say “Why not me?” and try to find the positives.
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Thank you for your beautiful message Michelle. I’m so sorry to note that your message went to Spam, and I only now discovered it.
It’s amazing isn’t it how a change in our perspective changes everything and affects the trajectory of our lives.
Though it came from such difficult circumstances, I love your positive outlook.
Thank you for sharing! And reading.
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No problem at all. I just went through my blog’s spam folder and found a bunch of valid comments in there. It seems to happen a lot lately.
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You know I rarely ever do that. I’m so glad I did and need to check more often. Have a happy weekend Michelle!
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You too! Funny I tried to like this comment and WordPress kept erasing my “Like”. Ugh. The gremlins are at it again!
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The gremlins create lots of glitches for us. Ugh!
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It seems to have started since I downloaded the latest version of the JetPack app. So much for progress. LOL
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There does always seem to be issues with new updates. You can report the issues if you’d like. And yes, progress, two steps forward, one step back. lol
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This is a particularly beautiful video, Alegria. You have a real gift. I’ve experienced a few acute bouts of suffering during my life so far, both physical and emotional, and too personal to recount here. Suffice to say, in retrospect they were all gifts due to what I learned from them. Our souls come here to learn and grow. Some of the lessons are learned in a positive way, and some in a negative way. I agree with you, finding the meaning in what we deem to be “negative” turns it into the positive. Thank you. 🙂
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What a beautiful gift and note you prepared. I’m sure it made someone’s day and made their journey through pain that much brighter.
We absolutely need pain to feel joy. Sometimes it takes years to realize what the suffering was to teach us/ prepare us for. Like you mentioned – it’s so crucial not to get permanently stuck in the negative.
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You’re absolutely right, sometimes it takes years to find meaning in it, when we do, we can finally let go and become unstuck.
Thank you for being here and appreciating the message. And leaving your beautiful one.
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I enjoyed that video ❤️. I agree with you, there can be joy beyond the pain if you open yourself up to it and choose not to dwell only on the negative side of pain where you miss the opportunity it brings for change and renewal. After my illness in 2018 my life completely changed. Had I been focused on getting back to my life as it was before, I would have missed out on all these wonderful, quality changes in my life. Great post as usual.
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Thanks for sharing Jan. I’m sorry to hear you became ill, though as you say, afterwards it was an awakening in your life that gave way to beautiful changes. I wish you continued good health and joy. Thanks for reading and watching. 💕
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Always ❤️.
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“Man’s Search for Meaning” is one of my all-time favorite books…Frankl’s wisdom about the hidden purpose in suffering was one of those cornerstone a-ha’s in my journey of self-understanding. Helping me understand that my mother was unable to give what she couldn’t imagine for herself – peace and love. When people praise me for navigating a challenging life with her, I often think about the deep empathy I cultivated by being Sue’s daughter. She carried pain and suffering, unable to find her way without inflicting hurt on others and bearing witness? It taught me how to see past destructive, wayward behaviors with kindness. One of Frankl’s gifts…reminding us that we always have the power of choice in how we respond. xo to you, dear one! 💕
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The power of choice is certainly available to all of us. And makes such a difference to how we manage and understand our lives Vicki. You have made incredibly wise and beautiful choices in the way you’ve navigated your difficult circumstances. And you’ve come through to the other side with such love, grace and empathy, that you are a beautiful example and inspiration to others. How fortunate we are to have so many inspiring guides around us, like Frankl and yourself.
Much love. 💕
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Oh…you’re kind – so kind – to offer such praise but the truth is, finding inspiring guides like YOU and Frankl make all the difference. Thank you for your beautiful post and video. ❤️
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💕
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Such a beautiful video. Love your salve and note. This topic reminds me of something that Dr. Stein has said – that for most people and situations, we eventually return to our set point. Thank you for sharing your beautiful spirit and joy with us, Alegria!
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Thanks so much for reading and watching Wynne. I so appreciate your wise input every time. Dr. Stein is right. I appreciate you sharing his words with me. Have a beautiful Sunday my friend. 💕
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Death of a parent comes to mind, Alegria. Something we all go through- well, if we’re ‘lucky’. My son was only 7 months old when Mum died and I was sorrowful at all the things she missed in his life. I was here in Portugal when Dad died very suddenly, and that was hard to cope with. But we go on, day by day. Some are easier than others.
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That’s very true Jo. Difficult that you were far away when your dad passed. You’re right though, we do go on. And we must go through. Thanks for sharing Jo! 💕
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🤗🩷
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Thank you for being so inspiring. I am stuck in in a joyless situation and honestly, I don’t know if I will ever be able to find meaning in it. This is from a person that is always able to shake things off and be happy…sometimes things are bigger than us and there is nothing we can do. Ugh, I didn’t mean to be such a downer.
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I’m so sorry to hear that Margie. I have sensed that, perhaps due to your lack of posts.
I will say that our lives and our world comes with many difficult problems. And when we are in the midst of it, it feels like we will never find a way out. Yet somehow the light finds us and we are born once again. And often we are better for having carried that weight. Rarely do we understand it in the moment, but the clarity comes.
You are not a downer, you are simply in a place where it is difficult to see the joy. I urge you to take 30 minutes tomorrow to sit quietly, alone, under a tree, let the tears come, the inspiration will follow. It may sound simple. It isn’t. It may not solve your current problem, but it may offer some strength and understanding. Walking through hell burns us, but then we find we can grow new skin.
I urge you to read the books of and on Viktor Frankl. If he could find joy in a Nazi concentration camp, then we can too. I mention his story in the video.
I thank you for sharing this with me. And I wish you sanctuary and healing as you navigate this difficult time in your life. With much love 💕
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I read Victor Frankl many years ago and he is such an inspiration. Thank you for your kind words ❤️
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