tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6199853211454757595.post8520445853694424586..comments2023-10-19T07:26:37.046-07:00Comments on Thinking Through: Meaningful Work© Peter Bollandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09793775395811878556noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6199853211454757595.post-59378127424923547832011-05-11T14:52:11.635-07:002011-05-11T14:52:11.635-07:00Peter,
I don't have a Facebook account so I f...Peter,<br /><br />I don't have a Facebook account so I figured I would post my question to you here and then you can respond via your blog with your thoughts. <br /><br />I have enjoyed reading your blog recently and really resonate with many of the things you have to say. This is why I wanted to pose a question to you about suffering. I appreciate the philosophical background and big picture thinking you bring to your writing. So I would really value your input about my questions.<br /><br />My question is about suffering and how to deal with it. I often find myself angry and frustrated at the suffering I witness and observe others going through, and sometimes experience myself. In particular, I grew up with a mom who had a debilitating form of Multiple Sclerosis. Diagnosed at 30, her physical capabilities diminished progressively over the years. In 2005, on top of dealing with her MS, which had put her in a wheelchair by 45, taken her speech, ability to write, to read, to paint, to garden, etc., she developed uterine cancer. Just a month ago my mom passed away at 62 from cancer. These last few years she really did suffer physically and emotionally, on top of the previous years of physical and emotional frustration. Fairness is not a word I would use to describe her life or life in general. Life is simply unfair and my mom had more than her fair share of suffering. <br /><br />My question is about how to deal with the reality of suffering in life and how to come to peace with the unfairness of it all. Some suffer far more than others. It seems too flippant to just say to accept that life is suffering and move on, let go. I know Buddhism talks about accepting that life is suffering in order to move on, but I feel this is too simplified a way of really dealing with how challenging suffering is to experience, to go through, or observe. My mom really got a raw deal in this life. She is not alone though, there are so many people who experience raw deals in this life and who suffer in countless ways.<br /><br />How does one deal with the frustration, the sense of wanting life to be fair, for people not to suffer, for people to be fair and just with each other? <br /><br />This question about suffering has been a real hang-up for me for a long-time in my spiritual journey in life. Any insights or wisdom you can impart would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />LisaLisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680257797328470814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6199853211454757595.post-30102336563131350382011-05-10T07:03:02.788-07:002011-05-10T07:03:02.788-07:00Lisa,
I guess there isn't really a way to cor...Lisa,<br /><br />I guess there isn't really a way to correspond here on this blog site. Message me on Facebook...<br /><br />Peter© Peter Bollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09793775395811878556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6199853211454757595.post-11184910892264384072011-05-09T14:37:08.735-07:002011-05-09T14:37:08.735-07:00Peter,
I wanted to ask you a question about illnes...Peter,<br />I wanted to ask you a question about illness and suffering and how to deal with it. Is there a place via your blog where I can ask a question and get your thoughts? I have appreciated reading through your blog and am wrestling with a particular issue about suffering.<br />Thanks!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680257797328470814noreply@blogger.com