Do you think that we, as humans, can benefit from times of pain and suffering? Do you think it teaches us timeless lessons and builds character? I do.
Nobody wants to go through painful experiences, but it seems like going through the tough times is what causes true growth and maturity in our lives. It’s like the age-old adage, “No pain, no gain”.
Allow me to share a few famous quotes about the good found in diversity.
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” –Walt Disney
“You don’t develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.” –Epicurus
“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed on an equal or greater benefit.” –Napoleon Hill
These quotes hold a lot of wisdom. I’ve been through the wringer when it comes to inner pain and suffering. All I wanted during those times was to be rid of it all. In retrospect though, I see how they have shaped me, grown me and made me into the person I am today.
How about you? Have you gone through times of pain, suffering, adversity? Have you allowed it to shape you? To be your teacher? Have you grown wiser and allowed it to develop character in you? What painful experience have you gone through, in looking back, you can see that it has produced gold by being refined in the fire?
This post is an updated version of one I’ve done before. I added another stanza to the poem and have embedded it into my original art. I have put music together and hope to record in the near future.
This is also in response to a 3-day quote challenge that I received from Pearl at “writeintent1“. Three quote for three days and nominating three others. I will be cheating though. I won’t be doing it for three consecutive days (time restraints) and I would like to challenge anyone that would like to take this on to go ahead and do it.
stacilys.wordpress.com 
Firstly, I love the poem in the image! Oh my, pain. As much as I don’t like to admit, it is the best thing to happen to a person at times. Pain definitely taught me tolerance and sadness made me appreciate happiness and joy all the more. I do believe, we need pain in order to truly live a full life. 🙂
Thank you so much Ameena. I think it’s wonderful that you have allowed pain and sadness be your teachers. So many people just get bitter, and that never does any good for anybody.
Have a beautiful week.
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I don’t understand why life can not be easy and simple! … Why should we suffer? Why should we hurt? I am sick of it!
You’re not alone M. I think there are many, throughout all generations, that feel as you do. I think that the older we get, the more we accept it. It really sucks while going through it, but it does produce perseverance and growth. It can be our teacher if we let it. Of course, I think we would all like for this to happen in a different way… hahaha…
Hope you’re having a lovely week so far.
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I know, Stacylis. But I want this to be over. It would be nice if we do not suffer.
You’re right. We get older and get used to this. Thank you 🙂
I’m so sorry you’ve been through so much pain… But you carry compassion with you. I have no doubt your kindness comes from your own suffering. I often find the kindest people are the ones who have been dealt the unkindest situations. Staci, you’re beautiful on the inside and out!❤️
You are so sweet Carisa. Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. Yes, I feel like I went through the wringer in my 20s, and it sucked. Hahaha. However, it really has shaped me. I needed a lot of healing from my past, you know, the garbage that we grew up with. Ugh. I’m very content now and sooooo incredibly happy that those days have passed. I’m sure there will be more in the future, but I’m hoping that I’ll be more equipped for it.
Bless you sweetie.
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How could I not mention the breathtaking poem and artwork. It’s stunning as always!❤️
Ohhhhh, hahaha. Thank you so much Carissa. I’m so glad you like it.
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Beautiful and yes, pain is too great teacher and motivator
Thank you so much Tosha. I strong teacher too eh. That is, if we allow it to be.
Hope you’re having a great week.
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Stacilys!
This is great indeed.
I have done one related please read mine, now which is right on top of my blog. “So..that’s enough”.
I hope you shall like it.
Love that shall never end….
Shiva
Thank you Shiva. I’m on my way over now.
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Beautiful art and poetry, Staci! I think joy can not exist apart from pain… Somehow they go together, they alternate in our lives, and even when you hurt you know it is not forever, because joy comes right after. There are great lessons in things we endure, they shape who we are and how we see people and the world around us… Most beautiful works of visual and written art have come out of great suffering.
Thank you so much Sibella. You have said it all here. I completely agree with you. And you sound like you’re speaking from experience…? I think we’ve both had some rough experiences, haven’t we?
I hope you are doing very well. School year has started this week and I am feeling very tired. Ugh. I’ll get used to it soon enough.
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You’re so welcome! Yes, we experienced some roughness, but who hasn’t? Doing well here! 🙂
You’ll get used to it and all will be good. I feel tired and I didn’t have to deal with school or anything similar lol… I think it’s the weather, it’s been grey, gloomy and wet for a few days now, no sign of sunshine…
Oh no. Really? I am really affected by weather and climate. I fall into depression when I don’t see the sun for a few days, and when it’s cold. Maybe I’ve just gotten used to Brazil. I hope the sun starts to shine soon where you are S. At least the dreaded January is over.
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So am I, but this is one of those things that we don’t have any control of and we need to let go lol 😀 When I get older I will move down south and enjoy the sun most of the year!
Haha. Yeah. Yes, move siuth to Brazil. And bring a waffle maker with you. I will be waiting ok.
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Haha you planned it all out lol! I thought TX, now I need to go even more south! 😄 They need to create a waffle emoji! 😆💞
Hahahs. A waffle emoji would be great. 😄
😀 It’ll happen!
Very meaningful quotes and the write up to go along with them is truly inspiring. You are so right about the life lessons, adversity teaches us. I would like to add empathy to the list of lessons. It is only when some people experience suffering first hand,can they learn empathy towards others and compassion.
Torkom Saraydarian, a famous author has said in his book ‘thought and the glory of thinking’ that all troubles and difficulties in life are opportunities to see the victory of the soul….they serve as waves to surf upon to find spiritual victory.
Lovely poetry and artwork Stacie 😍
Personally, i feel pain has made me more understanding and compassionate, taking me beyond the superficial. Also i have become more appreciative of the little pleasures life has to offer. But yes, there has to be a limit n good dose of joy and happiness from time to time so that our spirit is not broken or shattered.
Lovely words and image, Staci 🙂
Thank you Richard. Glad you like it.
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I think in order to truly appreciate and enjoy the good times we need to go through some bad times. Loved the poem––beautiful! 🙂 xx
I completely agree with you Vashti.
Thank you so much for the kind words.
Hope you’re having a great week so far.
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Very nice! Love the quotes and how interesting the figure in your work! So interesting! Kind of unisex and then strong but not overly – my art side is still thinking about the choices you made with that subject / very cool!
Thank you Yvette. Oh yes, aren’t these great quotes? Glad you find this interesting.
Oh really? @my art side is still thinking about the choices you made with that subject – very interesting. Haha. Glad you think it’s cool.
Have a great hump day Yvette.
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Tough times are exercise equipment. We cannot grow in comfort, or know ourselves without adversity.
Great image, I remember your first post. I didn’t think the poem could get any better, but you did it!
Awwww, thank you so much Wendy. You are too kind. I actually still don’t know if it’s finished yet. Hahaha. Actually, I’ve asked a dancer here if she could possibly interpret it with dance for me. I’ve put music to it, however I am waiting to talk with a musician friend of mine to see how we can make it more dynamic then just the plain stanzas. Then I want to pass it on to my friend to choreograph a piece to it.
I love that @exercise equipment. We cannot grow in comfort, or know ourselves without adversity.
Soooooo true.
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I heard a great story in Church about Eagles. Researchers tried to help eaglets in captivity hatch, but found if they interfered with the eaglet breaking out if it’s shell, it died. They came to discover without the struggle of breaking out, the eaglet had no strength to become what it was supposed to be.
Isn’t that awesome?
Oh wow, that’s wild.
Then there’s also the gold being refined in fire, where the purities rise to the top to be skimmed off. And there’s the coal that becomes a diamond through pressure.
So many awesome examples in nature, don’t you think?
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Absolutely!
wow, lovely post ❤
Awwww, thank you so much Leyla.
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Beautiful image and poetry Staci! And in response to your question, yes. 🙂
Hi Mark. Thank you so much for the kind words. I know you know this all too well. So glad that you have allowed suffering to be your teacher.
Have a great hump day.
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Love love love the poem, Staci! Oh pain is a great teacher and motivating force. It’s a way of getting in our face when we are not listening which for most of us is much of the time. We are purified by fire so that the “silver” that is comes from it can be a useful too in the Lord’s hands. And it’s all about carrying out our purpose that we might otherwise shirk for easier choices. Love and hugs, N 🙂 ❤
Ohhhhh Natalie. Thank you so much. I’m so glad you ‘love’ this one. I know you know what I mean here, because you have definitely had some lemons thrown your way, haven’t you? I couldn’t agree with you more. Just like the post I shared recently about “Killing me Softly”. I truly believe that He does prepare us to be that useful tool. And even though it’s awful while we’re going through it, the sun shines brighter in the end.
Love and hugs to you, my friend.
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I like that you put the ballet dancer, an iconic representation of art, slightly illuminated as if this creativity was born of suffering. I think that this is a recurring theme for many artists. I found that the old adage of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade rings true. In fact, I find that I can’t really create new songs if I’m in great spirits. So, yes, we harness that negative energy to make something beautiful.
I love that @creativity was born of suffering. So often this is true. Artists are known for their melancholy I think. Like temperamental.
So beautifully written, very relevant to some things right now… But looking back your right every adversity has proved to be a blessing in disguise and an incredible learning experience, now I simply have to remember this 🙂
Thank you so much. I’m so glad that this was able to speak to you. I hope you’re able to remember this throughout the trials of life.
Have a lovely weekend.
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This is so beautiful. ..so lovely….and yes, dear Staci…I believe even the struggles in our lives are so very important. Everything happens exactly the way it is supposed to!! Much love to you dear friend ♡♡
Thank you so much Lorrie. Struggles are like dumbbells, or gym equipment. They’re there to make us stronger, right 😉
Love and blessings to you, my friend.
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Yes…hehe!! Decidedly, it can either be torture or we can surrender and all good comes out of it 😉 I’d like to say I’ve got this down…but I am not completely there…YET 😉 Much love friend ♡♡
Haha. I don’t think anybody ever gets it completely down, or arrives there. Hahaha.
Many blessings and much love. Have a wonderful weekend Lorrie.
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Oh goodness me…I estimated grace with black and u brought mystery too along with it….WOW Staci U top notching it girl 😀 ….I love the shades….the exquisite flow for the passion of dance and the paunch shades for its sob…I guess?…wonderful
And the poem …marvelous!
‘…Soul and spirit
Impurities refine..’; lovely 🙂
Character of a man is not build in crisis, it is only exhibited- Winston Churchill
Heyyyyy Saaransh, I love, love, LOVE it when I see you here. I am so encouraged by your comments. Thank you so much for such kind words.
And what a great quote by Winston Churchill. It’s so true.
Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
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haha…the pleasure is all mine…u rightly deserve all the accolades….. I was wondering ‘God Colored Girl in a Grey World’ is so devising here….or is it jst me ..haha
Awwww, thank you so much my sweet sweet friend Saaransh.
Hahahahaha @I was wondering ‘God Colored Girl in a Grey World’ is so devising here. No, it’s not just you, It is devising. Hahaha. Love that you noticed that.
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Sometimes pain helps to remind us of that there is up and down moments in life. It reminds us not to take anything for granted. You have amazing reflection about pain and how to live our life. Keep your arts going to inspire us 🙂
Awwww, thank you so much Indah. And yes, you are so right. Life has it’s up and down moments. WE can’t just have the up moments, right.
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Have a lovely weekend.
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The poem is mystical. Life is indeed a mystery. All these profoundly beautiful quotes are out of deep experience of people who have seen the world and done something beautiful for the world. We all under the pain and the suffering in life, for us it looks the biggest pain we have undergone and we always feel ours is the painful one but when we hear stories of others, slowly but certainly our pain dwarf in front of others. We keep learning the lessons of life and it is journey till we leave this world, there is no mechanism to escape the pain and problem in life. The art of living lies in learning those lessons fast and adopting those nuances into our daily life and making our own life and living more meaningful.
Indeed Staci, this is thought provoking, though we face it get every day.
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Hi Nihar, thank you so much of the lovely comment. You said it all, “there is no mechanism to escape the pain and problems in life.” We can either choose to be bitter, or allow pain to be our teacher.
Have a lovely weekend, my friend.
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Indeed Staci there is challenge and there is also so much opportunities hidden those challenges, it is all in our perspectives…how we look at things and how we deal with the situation. Life is fascination though there are moments of frustration. Life is truly a mystery, yet to be unraveled…
You too have a wonderful weekend.
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Oh yes. Love what you said @there is also so much opportunities hidden those challenges.
Thank you so much Nihar.
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Wonderful. The key is to dance and not stop dancing.
Hahaha, yes. Let’s keep dancing and growing through it.
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Thanks so much Benjamin.
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This is heart-wrenching. I think there’s some pleasure in this pain too sometimes for it allows one to grow and learn and experience the essence of life. This pain makes us stronger, it’s what seduces us lungs for every bit of air…it’s what keeps us going, striving for more. Beautifully written. :’)
Here’s hoping you’ll check out my blog too at https://thewhimsicalandwanderingsoul.wordpress.com/
Hi Vidisha, I’m so sorry for the late reply. It’s because I just found your comment in my spam. Ugh. Sometimes WordPress does these things.
I’m so happy to meet you, and thank you for such a nice comment. I’m so glad yo liked it. I find it interesting that there could be pleasure in pain. I wouldn’t find it pleasurable while the pain is happening, but when the sun finally comes out and shines some light on the ‘why?’ of it all, that can be quite pleasurable.
I will definitely check out your blog.
Have a wonderful weekend.
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Our lungs*
Yes, I am tying to learn from pain and suffering. But I would give the lesson back if I could. Beautiful dance, Staci.
Ohhh, yes I believe you do. I don’t blame you Mark. I eould want to too.
Thank you.
Amazing post!! You might just wanna read mine!
https://mahekmithare.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much.
I read yours and commented. Thanks for letting me know.
:)💕