One of my favorite Buddhist teachings on the lotus flower reminds me that we must lean into our pain and suffering.
Without suffering, there's no happiness. So we shouldn't discriminate against the mud. We have to learn how to embrace and cradle our own suffering and the suffering of the world, with a lot of tenderness.
-Thich Nhat Hanh, No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering
We are constantly bombarded by suffering, either our own or the collective world's agony. The tragedy in Istanbul along with personal, familial obstacles reminds me to lean into such occurrences and whatever feelings arise from them.
Feeling whatever comes up for us by honoring our need to feel emotions gives us the space needed to let our suffering move through us, move us and teach us.
Although we need suffering in order to embrace joy and happiness, we need not be overwhelmed by suffering.
Instead turn to the tenderness of your heart created by feelings of pain, sadness, grief and longing.
When we focus on the open nature of a heart begotten by suffering, we reveal the beauty, joy and happiness on the other side of suffering.
Ultimately, through our suffering we can fully enjoy the blessing in both darkness and light.
We come to appreciate life for the simple pleasures rather than fall to the daily sufferings caused by fear, judgement, resentment and blame.
You may not see much happiness, love or joy around you at the moment, but that is merely because you haven't looked hard enough for it.
Oftentimes, joy arises from blessings revealed within suffering.
If you focus on the silver lining and try to find any semblance of light peering out from the darkness, that is what will find you.
As Rumi says, "The wound is the place where the light enters you."
So don't fight it darling. Embrace your suffering. Be tender with yourself and let your heart feel your pain's expanse. Imagine the light ruminating once you allow your emotions to be released.
Don't fight. Just feel. Happiness and joy will find you. Right where you are.