Suffering

Suffering is the mental state in which we respond negatively to pain, to the perception of being hurt or to the threat of being hurt. Pain is not suffering. Pain is a sensation. We tend to use these terms interchangeably, yet suffering and pain are not the same.

In suffering we experience negative thoughts, emotions and actions which we feel are the proper and expected responses to whatever we perceive is the source of our suffering. In other words, our form of suffering is learned and it is in our minds. 

We suffer because we forget who we are, because we identify with our self-image, because we cling to things and ideas, and because we are fearful. Thoughts of despair, self-pity, entitlement, attachment, lack, the opinion of others, unrealistic expectations, that we are alone in whatever we are going through, and other such negative beliefs keep us suffering. This is not something to take lightly and it is not something we "cure" with a positive thought. Suffering is an emotional habit that we can heal by opening up to our Creator. Spirit will do its healing while we do our part - which is to stay aligned to our Source and to not perpetuate the thoughts that keep us suffering. 

Suffering can make us more kind, understanding and compassionate, and for that we can be thankful. Other than that, it serves us no purpose. It keeps us down. For now, opt out of the common attitudes of suffering, put things in perspective and trust in your nature. It takes tremendous discipline to change our way of thinking, but we need to do it if we want our suffering to stop.