The Gift of Suffering

I used to regret a lot. I used to wallow in my misery, trying to get others to pity me. That’s how I got sympathy, until Irene snapped at me and told me to stop regretting all the time. It hurt, at the time, but it was what I needed to hear, to be aware of my own thought patterns.

Is suffering a gift? Without suffering, if all I led was a hedonistic lifestyle, I’d be too distracted by all the sensual pleasures to view life from a different perspective. Instead, I’m forced to view life differently, or continue to suffer.

Tonight I am grateful for:

1. My mother for smothering me, forcing me to grow independent.
2. My father for being so strict, forcing me to be strong enough to stand up to him.
3. My good karma, which has allowed me to walk into the hazy future and consistently come out better than I could have ever planned.
4. My ability to appreciate life, which has reduced my suffering tremendously.
5. My fear, which I’ve faced many times and forced me to grow some balls.