Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it. – Helen Keller
Dance has always been a method to relieve suffering among those with the least. How do you relieve your suffering?
What does that mean?
This is a great quote, from someone who knew both the suffering and the overcoming of suffering, a more complete listing of which can be found in her bio (click on her name, above). Through a series of events, she became quite famous for both.
Suffering is a condition of humanity, it seems. No matter the culture or the era, there are stories of the enduring of great suffering. Many of the same tales also describe the eventual overcoming of the suffering, and the triumph of the person or people in the story.
While on occasion we end up in the exact same circumstances, most of these stories are designed to provide us with inspiration to help us in our moments of suffering. When we have hope, an example of overcoming, even if it is but a story, we are heartened. That helps us believe, and we are more willing to try harder and try more times, in the effort to overcome.
Why is the effort to overcome suffering important?
What happens to you if you do not overcome suffering? It may vary depending on your situation, but that doesn’t sound like much fun to me. While it might be a bit much to presume that every single time you are faced with suffering you will emerge triumphant, it is a nice goal to attempt to attain.
By putting forth an effort, you not only stand a better chance of attaining your goal of overcoming that which is causing your suffering, but you are almost certain to help your attitude in the process. Even if you don’t completely overcome your suffering, you will likely reduce it.
In addition, win or lose, you can also become visible as someone who is trying hard, and can be an example or inspiration for others. The author of the quote was most certainly someone who provided inspiration to many who were suffering in similar circumstances. She also inspired many people who were suffering in other manners.
Where can I apply this in my life?
While the author of the quote was deaf and blind, most of us are not. By that, I mean we cannot take her path exactly as she did. But we all have our difficulties, we all suffer from time to time. We also, I would hope, put effort into overcoming those challenges.
To me, the actual accomplishment of overcoming isn’t the point of the exercise, although I’m not averse to winning the contest. I don’t enjoy suffering, but I understand it to be part of the human condition. What I do enjoy (well, sometimes) is the struggle to overcome.
I try to bear what I must suffer as best I can, and in the mean time, I do what I can to overcome or at least minimize what I must endure. Old injuries, both sports related and self inflicted, can sometimes cause me more than a tiny amount of discomfort. I use stretching, exercise, and anti-inflammatory medications to deal with the worst of it.
What forms of suffering are in your life? Is it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual? Is it in relationships, skills, techniques, or is it something else? She eventually found her voice and was an inspirational speaker. Through the magic of the internet, I don’t have to worry about stuttering or my dyslexia.
What can you do to isolate and minimize your form of suffering? While some will try to internalize the suffering, I have found that to be less constructive than seeking assistance from others. Sometimes it’s just someone you can share with, to unburden yourself. Other times, it can be someone who has been there and can help you understand what worked or didn’t work for them.
With the internet and libraries, there are plenty of places to find information on almost any topic that might be of help to you in your effort. Grab some paper and write down a few things that are presently causing you some level of suffering.
Then, for each, write down the source of the suffering. Is it internal or external? Is it your body, or your attitude? Try to dig down and find a root cause. Keep asking questions until you get a proper answer, not just the usual excuses.
Now select one of your items and consider what you might do to help minimize the suffering, or even alleviate or avoid it completely. Try to come up with a few, so that if the first one isn’t as successful as you would like, you have a PlanB to try next.
What will it take to accomplish this, and where can you find resources to help you figure out the details? Is it a book, a friend, a web page? There are lots of ways to get there, so be creative, and write down a few options to help you move forward.
Now all that is left is to take the first step. The first step of the journey towards overcoming your suffering. Find that web page, order the book (or reserve it at the library), phone the friend (or send a text or e-mail). Do something that makes your journey real, both in your life and in your mind. That’s a great start.
From: Twitter, @Epic_Women
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/helenkelle109208.html
Photo by kelsey_lovefusionphoto
Happy Birthday, Helen Keller, Born 27 June, 1880
