Quotes and Insights

Pain is inevitable, Suffering is optional. - Buddhist proverb

By Jonathan

5 months ago

Read more: pain, joy, choice, suffering, Buddhist Quotes, Gandhi

Pain is inevitable, Suffering is optional.
- Buddhist proverb

Pain is what the world inflicts upon us. Suffering is our emotional reaction when we fail to make the difficult conscious decision to choose Joy.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Nobody can hurt me without my permission.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi's observation is fundamental to walking the path of a joyful life, but do understand that by "hurt" Gandhi means emotional suffering rather than physical pain.

Think of the playground rhyme, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." In real life, most of us often feel very hurt by the words of others, but we can choose to moderate those feelings of perceived injury.

*** Book of the day: Heal Your Life Now: The Alchemy of Forgiveness (eBook)

Further reading: Wisdom of Gandhi

Joy is a Choice - but Not an Easy Choice - jlh

Perspective on Tradition: An Open Mind

Joy blooms where minds and hearts are open. - jlh

Jonathan Lockwood Huie (The Philosopher of Happiness) is the author of self-awareness books and a free Daily Inspiration and Quote.