How pain can lead to a positive change in our outlook and well-being.

Ok, not the happiest of starts to the day with that quote! However, let’s take a look at how pain can and suffering can motivate us to change. I do not want to dwell in the misery of my past. I look back on it and learn from it.

Does this sound familiar to you? “I’m not sure that I deserve a soul, but I still have one and it hurts. It’s been hurting for so long and there are days when the pain of having a soul is unbearable. But it’s also what makes me feel alive. And feeling alive is better than anything else in this world, even if sometimes it’s just for a few moments at a time.”

Reason

I know there is a reason life hurts, because if it didn’t, then why would we all be here in the first place? If there were no suffering in the world, then what would be our purpose in coming to this plane of existence? There would be no point in being alive if pain were only an illusion. If suffering didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have a soul.

If it’s true that we all must suffer and everyone will eventually lose what they cherish the most, then there must be a reason for our pain to exist. I know many people who look at their suffering as though it were an unforgivable sin – something they brought upon themselves with the sole purpose of torturing themselves.

I am not weak. You are not weak!

I know what it feels like to despise yourself because you feel weak. That is why I believe that our willingness to change is the only thing that will keep us from falling into a pit of hopelessness and despair. It’s our willingness to overcome this pain, it’s a willingness to remember the good in ourselves – not just the bad – it’s a willingness to remember the reason we deserve a soul.

I am willing to get up, even when my bones ache and I can’t breathe because of the pain in my soul. I am willing to get better, even though I may not think that life is worth living anymore. I am willing to fight, even when I am hurting so deep inside of me that I feel like nothing will ever make the pain stop.

I have a soul – and so do you!

I have a soul because it hurts when I suffer and it swells with joy when I am happy. Because sometimes my very breath is shaken with sobs as I cry myself to sleep. Sometimes tears spill from my eyes when I think the world is crumbling around me. More often than not, it is not crumbling. It is my perception of the world that has crumbled.

I have a soul because it is that which keeps me going, even when sometimes there doesn’t seem to be a reason for living anymore. Life without a soul would be meaningless and cold, like a fragile ice sculpture that would shatter to pieces at the slightest touch.

The pain inside of me is what makes me worth something. Every tear I shed is willingness, every breath I take is willingness, every smile I show proves that willingness can overcome even the most painful soul.

Willingness is the key

Willingness is the key to happiness because willingness is what makes us who we are – what gives us our purpose in life. It’s willingness that lets me feel.

To be happy, it’s important to have a positive mindset. If you don’t think that happiness is possible for you or if you’re not willing to do what it takes, then there’s really no point in reading this blog post and trying to find your inner peace and happiness. However, I’m going to assume that most of my readers are open-minded people who want the best for themselves and those around them. So with that said… 

Happy people are infectious with their joy and happiness.

Happy people tend to make others happy as well! They appreciate life more than cynical people (who usually complain about their lives instead of enjoying the little things). They also tend to live longer because they care less about what other people think of them; they focus on being true to themselves (and not to society’s rules). They also seem to have better relations with their friends, family and significant others; but the key is that they are happy first before they can see the good in others.

Happy people usually smile…a lot! They don’t let too many bad things bother them, so they tend to be more optimistic than pessimistic people. They can see the silver lining in any situation and they usually know how to treat their friends/family with love, respect, trust and understanding. 

Happy people are those who open up to new experiences. They seek out adventures and take more risks than those who prefer to stay home all day watching TV or browsing Reddit. In fact, a willingness to explore and take risks is one of the ingredients for a happy life. If you’re not willing to explore new places, try new foods, learn new languages or meet new people, then your social/professional world will be much smaller than it needs to be.

But the willingness doesn’t have to only apply to taking risks in your life. It can also apply to your willingness to better yourself and become a happier person in general! I know that it’s easier said than done, but if you’re willing to give yourself a chance then anything is possible…

The willingness must be there for you to accomplish anything worthwhile in your life. Know that you are worthy and make your life worthwhile. For example, when I was in school I noticed that the willingness to study/read/work toward anything was what mattered. It didn’t matter how much you knew already of whatever subject we were studying; if you weren’t willing to learn then you would stagnate.

Be willing to change and change will happen.

Following a path of happiness and enlightenment starts with an openness to change. The source of our pain can be identified, accepted, and repaired if we are willing to look for it. If you’re not sure where to start on your journey towards inner peace or how to implement changes in your life that will lead you there, let ThisHappyHuman help!

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