The Purpose Of Our Suffering
I came across a quote that was from Helen Keller. It stressed the fact that while our world is full of suffering, we must remember that that same world is full of overcoming suffering. After reading that, I was reminded of that my struggles with addiction, while seeming like total dark clouds, were actually things quite crucial. Seeming almost mandatory, in my process of finding peace, and appreciation in my life.
For the most part, life’s journey often teaches us that the shortcuts presented to us in life, are usually not as quick and easy as it may seem on the outside. Without struggles, there is often no depth nor substance. Pain and suffering are the true teachers for most of us, and it is with those struggles, that we form lessons, ingrained into our hearts and minds.
Let’s take a look at the horrific life I lived, as it connected to my addiction and mental health issues. To this day, I will take it to the grave, that my addiction, and all my many horrendous problems, were put in place at opportune moments, where they shined the light on so many important facts and values.
I’m not really sure if I would ever be able to literally make a list of everything, addiction has brought me. However, it’s an idea for a project that cannot hurt to try.
My struggles and substance abuse problems taught me the meaning, and purpose of relationships of those closest to me. Not only did I learn about just how rough life could get, but I also learned and discovered just who there would be to stand by me, if and when I had trauma or battles to deal with. If would stay, even after I hurt? If it wasn’t a solid lesson of unconditional love, then I don’t know what could be.
Unconditional love is the basis behind a loyalty that’s deepness is the equivalent of an endless ocean floor. So worthy, that when received, we develop feelings of guilt and shame. Since we feel undeserving.
From that guilt, I was able to re-evaluate the person I was. I wanted to eliminate that guilt and develop a plan to leave it all behind me. Get me into motion, to moving forward. I wanted to reciprocate that unconditional love, and hold that relationship strong and tight. I never wanted to take for granted those things again.
Things today are nowhere near perfect. Mending, and solidifying a relationship is almost literally, a never-ending process. But my dark ways from addiction has brought a new sense of appreciation, that I feel and love every day.
My suffering has brought me a newfound endless lesson of who I am to me. It made me realize the unfortunate truth, in that most people go through their lives, never having a true enough understanding, of who they even are. My suffering has been a great gift because it journey broke every bubble that I ever had surrounding me.
These lessons, while being quite valuable, are not journeys that come without true struggle and pain. We are so fortunate when we absorb these beautiful lessons the first time. Second chances are just not so guaranteed. God gives us these chances, to offer us something good, to be the end result of a struggle so tough.
Be thankful if you’ve come out of a struggle, on the other end, as a better healed, and better-mended person. Remember what was gained, and remember what was lost.
-End
Michael Patanella
is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist, Editor, Advocate, and recovering addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and countless other nonfiction topics. His articles, publications, memoirs, and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Hoping to reach others out there still struggling.
