The road to hell is paved with good intentions
while the path to heaven is carved out with great sufferings.
Life’s fabric is woven not only out of joys and happiness
but also with tears and sorrow.
Suffering is part of our human lot, an essential ingredient of our existence
– sometimes because of our own doing ,
– other times because of our imperfection,
– and still at other times because of people we love.
But it is suffering that makes me more human,
makes my joys sweeter and my happiness deeper.
It makes me a stronger, a better and a humbler person.
Thus, suffering has been the human lot since the beginning.
“Cursed be the ground because of you!
In toil shall you eat its yield
all the days of your life.
Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you,
as you eat of the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your face
shall you get bread to eat,
Until you return to the ground,
from which you were taken;
For you are dirt,
and to dirt you shall return.”
I can choose to deal with suffering
by being selfish or angry,
looking only after myself.
Or, I can choose to be kind and compassionate,
aware of the human lot that we all share.