If we didn't know suffering

Have you ever wondered why God allows us to experience such painful emotions?

Have you ever tried to run away from your negative emotion by distracting yourself with work, movies, or socializing?

If you answered yes, you are being honest.

If you answered no, reflect a little more....

Do you ever find yourself avoiding the knowledge of others' suffering?

Sometimes I find myself changing the channel when the nightly news comes on and choosing not to buy the newspaper, thinking:

"No thanks, I do not want to hear about tough and terrible things going on."

Sometimes we need a break, we need to keep it light, but

There is a fine line between not dwelling on emotional pain (or ours and others) and avoiding it altogether.

As humans we are meant to experience the full spectrum of emotion-- from happy, joyful, excited.....to downright sad and distraught. This is what makes life rich-- the diversity, the change, the ride of a life fully lived. 

And although parts of our journey on earth are painful, all parts are beautiful and worthwhile.

Because if we didn't know the feeling of suffering, we would not have empathy.

We would not coping mechanisms and wisdom to share with others when they are struggling.

And we have a responsibility (I include myself in this!) to be aware of world events-- both the good and the terrible because with knowledge and understanding comes the ability 

To reach out,

To help.

To heal.