There's no bigger suffering than another
If you are feeling sad now, know that you are not alone
Sadness is a very distinguished feeling that reaffirms our condition of humans, simple humans, fragile humans when compared to the challenges life demands from us and are much beyond our control. Sadness itself goes beyond our ability to rationally handle things, which only complicates everything by debilitating our inner strength to be functional and carry on. This is a small exercise to figure out the sources of my sadness in an effort to understand it and recover some aptitude to leave this situation.
I'm not writing this as a Ukrainian living in a war. Please let's forget for a minute my personal situation and focus on my human condition above nationalities and circumstances, because I consider that every sadness is the saddest one in its own way to the person who feels that. There's no bigger suffering than another, everyone has their own war, or multiple wars, to be fought, for example within their families, their personal life, or more often, concerning their health.
It seems that sadness has a strong component of fear and vulnerability, which acts by restraining our minds and bodies to take action, and resorting us to a self-protective behavior by design. This defensive attitude may be interpreted as an evolutive trace of humans by somewhat isolating us from the complex elements aforementioned, at the same time it pushes us to some sort of self-reflection given to the fact our instincts, by creation, are seekers of well-being, satisfaction, and spiritual comfort.Β
This feeling, just as it is, doesn't need to be treated as a source of shame or mercy. Sadness, by being a natural answer against serious and demanding confrontations as well as being a possible supplier of solutions that will emerge from deep inside the suffering soul, could be seen as a legitimate and necessary course everyone of us will have to deal at one time or another, which will make us stronger to face the potential and subsequent questions in life.
It doesn't mean celebrating or welcoming the feeling of sadness. It is indeed terrible in every aspect, and it would be nice if everyone could avoid it. But considering we don't live in this ideal world, accepting our feelings and understanding them maybe are keys to relieve everything a bit. Ignoring our sadness does not help because it explodes inside us at one time or another.Β
A good dose of courage, for sure, is also necessary when boarding in a journey to our inner selves, although we have to do that respecting our right time, especially when we are at these high levels of weakness. Many times, feeling sadness is necessary for a while, as it brews formulations in our minds that will often arise without prior notice and provide a way out from the pain.
I've been told sometimes that expressing my feelings can help make them more manageable, so this is my expression.Β
If you are feeling sad now, know that you are not alone. These feelings didnβt come for no reason: they are precisely what will make us emerge better and stronger, despite the conditions life offers to us.
Be kind to yourself. Never forget we are strong enough to confront anything.
Weβve lived through some toxic positivity of late. As much as itβs good to find ways to be positive, ignoring your sadness youβll just be gaming yourself. Chanting manifestations over lonely hearts.
Best wishes - and happiness of the soul - to everyone here.
TE
Excellent analysis of why sadness can be so pervasive, depending on each person's coping mechanism
In my own circumstances of being disabled due to heart and lung problems [severe COPD] I have been in and out of the hospital probably 15 times since 2017, when my right lung collapsed 2x in 6 months, then I was hospitalized 7-8x between then and 2020 when covid was starting its pandemic and I was unable to work anymore as a floor nurse in a nursing home after 25+ years due to my health problems.
Took almost 2 years to get approved for social security disability even with the help of a legal firm that specializes in disability benefits.
Then last st Patrick's 2022 my heart rhythm went irregular requiring 2 days ICU, then a week later after I somehow finally caught covid pneumonia, I spent another 5 days in ICU. But if it hadn't been for the IV medicine antivirals and new heart medicine, I probably wouldn't be here. I can only walk about 100 feet with a walker before I get short of breath, so every day is a blessing. The biggest thing I discovered was to keep myself occupied, then I don't have time to dwell on sadness or loneliness π
The biggest thing that helps me cope is rediscovering my faith with God and my daily prayer readings as well as prayer apps on my phone.
Also I've become a sportsaholic since I can't drink or smoke after 35 years of hard living before my lung collapsed. It's amazing what these phones have apps wise, which is how I'm responding now. So I'm always trying to dwell on my blessings, rather than my sadness or loneliness.
God Lord willing and da crick don't rise π