Life happens. A majority of people will experience financial hardship, loneliness, and depression at some point in their lives and everyone who lives to be an adult will probably experience the death of a family member or friend. The emotional pain that occurs during these times can seem unbearable. If you have experienced great suffering, the question most often asked is, “Why me?” You may be able to examine your life and determine the causes of some of your suffering, but many times, no one is to blame because suffering is a part of life. I often encourage people to ask, “What can I learn from this suffering?”

You are here for a reason. I believe with all my heart and soul that reason is to spiritually evolve. And life, and all that it encompasses, is necessary for your spiritual growth. You endure hardship and suffering because you must. Walt Whitman, in his poem Song of the Open Road, writes, “These are the days that must happen to you.”

You will, in the course of your life, experience joy and pain, feast and famine, love and heartbreak, success and defeat. You can be present and transform the joy or suffering for the growth of your soul, or you can let the ego take over, convinced that it can control your life, and knows what is best for you.

If you can begin to be present to your life, you will start to make better decisions and life will become easier. It doesn’t mean you won’t experience suffering, but you will be better equipped to handle it when it occurs.

Peace and Blessings,