Finding Meaning in Pain

rain cloud and rays of sunlight

Prophets, saints, holy people all had their share of pain and sorrows. Why would people so close to divinity go through this unless there was some merit in it? The 12th century Sufi poet said: “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” In other words, No wound, no light! When you are hurt, your heart and soul is open to receive the light of wisdom and insights.

Knowing how to find sense and meaning in tragedy is an important skill for anyone. Begin learning by going back in your life and recalling how you reacted to your own past pain and sorrows, and how some of your friends, family or colleagues reacted to theirs. You will notice positive and negative responses. Learn from them— noticing which ones were helpful, and which ones caused sadness or stress — and adapt them to work should another such circumstance arise in your life.

The Lebanese poet Khalil Gibran said: “Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain; And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy.”

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