This post is dedicated to a dear friend Fe Valderama who successfully rose above the pains of surgery and chemotherapy sessions, emotional discouragement, and all the aches and discomforts she went through in her bout with breast cancer. Her courage and triumph over the disease is just so inspiring.
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Somebody used to ask me, “Why is happiness so fleeting?” I couldn’t answer him, so I just let him explain further, “because when it comes, we do all we can to savor the moment, to feel it, and time is never enough.” He added, “Suffering on the other hand seem to dwell longer than our patience and strength can take it. Because we don’t want pain, we don’t welcome the thought of it, we do everything we can to avoid it, and when we do suffer, we want it to end soon.” And he concluded, “That is why, when suffering comes to our lives, hold on to it, feel it, and life won’t be as bad as you think it is.”
I didn’t really understand what he meant that time but, as the years passed, now I do. And whenever I feel unavoidable physical pain, what he told me would always echo in my mind, and I try to hold on to the pain, to feel it within. Just like yesterday. I didn’t pray for the pain to leave me, I just prayed that God would give me the strength to be able to bear it. I felt it was something I can offer to Him, so I embraced it, let go of the feeling of being helpless and just gave in to it… and strangely enough, after some time, it lessened and few hours later, I felt better. Sometimes, we just need to face our suffering head on, and understand it, going against it would just result to bitterness. When we welcome it, it becomes our friend, and we become stronger persons because of it.
Cai: yup, i read that somewhere too… it would be nice to read the source of that. it could be true, sometimes most of our emotions and even physical pain are all in the mind.
anyway, the suffering i am talking about here is unavoidable pain, physical e.g. a disease or emotional e.g. the loss of a loved one.
Posted by ideasnpink at May 22, 2007, 1:25 amI can understand this. So many times (out of stubborness) I resist pain (emotional that is) only to prolong my agony. After a brutal battle, when I am tired and have no more strength to fight, do I find myself letting go and letting God take charge. It is only then that peace pervades my soul.
Yes, once we learn to accept or as you said, embrace the pain does it begin the process of healing.
Posted by Virus at May 23, 2007, 4:02 pmVirus: I know sometimes I write something I am not sure others would understand or if they even make sense. I’m glad you got my point clearly with your insightful comment. I like it when you mentioned peace, acceptance and the healing process… these terms add more to my own understanding of pain and suffering. Thanks!
Posted by ideasnpink at May 25, 2007, 12:58 amCarey, oh don’t worry about it. I do that as well. Thoughts, that only we have the capacity to understand. However, a person who is currently undergoing the same emotions may very well be able to relate. 
Strength my friend! Strength. 
Virus: amen to that!
The article has moved me beyond words. It reminded me of what I went through and how God had kept me going during my treatment. Thank you so much and may God continue to make you an instrument to inspire others. Though, Ive known it only tonight, I will forever treasure your article for keeps.
“Why must I bear this pain? I cannot tell; I only know my Lord does things well. And so I trust in God, my ALL in all, for He will bring me through, whatever befall. (Cor 15:35-49)
Posted by Fe Valderama at December 15, 2007, 12:25 amHi Ate Fe! finally you read this article, hehehe… your life story will always be an inspiration not only to those suffering from cancer but to all of us who go through life with the usual pains and disappointments. there’s always hope, whatever situation we’re in. thanks for the visit! missing you!
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Ideas are powerful. A train of thought can make or break, build or destroy. The choice is ours. Our ideas become our future. I believe that life’s meaningful lessons are best learned when shared with others.
According to scientific studies, any intense emotion only lasts for 12 minutes. The rest of it is self-inflicted.. I can’t remember where I read/heard that ..
Posted by Cai at May 21, 2007, 10:54 pm