Suffering Ends with Meaning and Purpose

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.” Paulo Coelho 

Suffering: The state of experience of undergoing pain, distress or hardship.

I talk a lot about suffering, I am passionate about this subject. It is an interest in an attempt to scratch my own itch. I desire to remove or dissolve the suffering in my life. Personally, suffering is an experience of the moment that is bad, unpleasant or not desirable.

As I look back on my past and the suffering I lived with it is easy to connect the dots to the cause of much of my suffering and this has made me realise that most of it, was self-caused. I can also see more clearly how I have been able to lessen the suffering in my life – perhaps it can help you also.

If suffering is unpleasantness or aversion to life the opposite is pleasure and happiness. How to you transition from one state to another, you take action. Change that which is causing dissatisfaction and replace it with that which is satisfying.

How do you do that? Be purposeful! Avoid doing, having, saying and thinking anything that is a source of more pain. It is not easy but it works. When we start being more purposeful we start living with more meaning and a meaningful life will help end our suffering and likely reduce the suffering of others as well.

When we are idle, when we get too caught up in this idea of “Self” it can be suffocating. Boredom is a method to dwell more on the self and the self is a powerful depressor.

Find something positive to focus on. Something that you enjoy, something that you are passionate about, something that you love, something that will stimulate your curiosity and you will find the attention of your mind shifts. In better directing our mind, we better create purpose, meaning, and happiness.

The majority of our suffering in life is in the perception of the beholder and we can shift this by shifting our focus. Instead of dwelling on what is unsatisfactory, unpleasant or undesirable perhaps we can focus on what there is to be grateful for, even in the moments of unpleasantness. Suffering ends with meaning and purpose.

What we reach for in life to each of us may be entirely different but what makes us reach is unitedly the same.

Further Reading and Resources 

TED Talks: Ideas worth spreading

Psychology Today: Psychology Today is devoted exclusively to everybody’s favourite subject – Ourselves

Life Hack: Tips for Life

Elite Daily: The Voice of Generation Y

Four Hour Work Week: How to escape the 9-5, live anywhere and join the new rich.

The Minimalists: How to pursue a minimalist lifestyle and be happier.

Mind Hacks: Tips and Tricks for Using Your Brain

Rich Roll: Plantpowered Wellness Advocate

The Art of Charm: Build confidence, feel comfortable and networking differently.

American Psychological Association: The largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United State

The Art of Manliness: Encouraging men to be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens.

Tiny Buddha: Simple wisdom for complex lives.

Brain Pickings: An inventory of cross-disciplinary interestingness, spanning art, science, design, history, philosophy, and more.

Mind Body Green: Lifestyle media brand dedicated to inspiring you to live your best life.

Zen Habits: Find simplicity and mindfulness in life.

Creative NonFiction: “true stories well told.” 

Addicted 2 Success: Motivation & Inspiration Website full of quotes and inspiring articles for entrepreneurs.

Barking Up the Wrong Tree: science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.

The Positivity Blog: Practical articles on happiness, self-esteem, productivity and social skills.

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