Last week in the post 'Health and Happiness' I touched on how "satisfaction begets dissatisfaction". Throughout these posts and pages I have suggested that Happiness is best not chased after, but instead allowed to find us (often unexpectedly) as a result of our efforts towards Truth, Wisdom, inner peace, and exoteric goodness. This week I have found a continuation to this line of thinking in that just as Happiness finds us, so too does pain. Whether emotional, spiritual, mental, or physical, (just as Happiness cannot be sought after and found) pain does not discriminate and cannot be avoided. Granted, there are ways to mitigate the likelihood of unintentional self-inflicted pain, and there are ways to enhance opportunities for Relative Momentary Happiness (RMH), but there are many instances of both pain and Happiness that simply happen; and the more such instances of one (partially due to the resulting heightened awareness), the more such instances of the other.

So should we avoid Truth and Wisdom to lessen the likelihood of pain? Should we practice the art of unreality by 'acting' cheerful and creating a persona? Should we choose a perpetual state of blissful ignorance? For me the answer is No. I will accept the pain of Happiness to experience the satisfaction of a Life lived with open eyes.

As a result of this philosophy though, I too often find myself tending towards grumpiness, impatience, or (at worst) anger. I deal with these tendencies in two different ways:

1. I let the reality of my feelings shine through; especially with those feelings / reactions that may be unpleasant but typically do no long-term damage, such as a little surliness or impatience. I believe this is simply practicing the reality that I preach.
2. If I catch myself tending towards an extreme such as anger, I will utilize a crutch such as gratitude, optimism, or even (occasionally) unwilling sacrifice. At times circumstances dictate the use of one or more crutch to keep the peace. This is more often the case (for me anyway) in a work setting or around strangers and/or casual acquaintances.

Sometimes I don't catch myself. Other times I misjudge my intensity or the recipient's sensitivity. When this occurs (and when I am thinking clearly) I revert to various guiding principles such as compassion, patience, humility and persistence to help set things right. (Refer to the Periodic Happiness Table of Elements for further explanation of Guiding Principles and Crutches.)

As is usually the case, I am more successful in thoughts and words than in actions; yet I find that thoughts and words are a positive influence on actions.

Pain is Growth.