For a long time I have lived with the idea that my suffering is unique. It is mine, and nobody can possibly understand what I’m going through. This may be true to a degree, but it is that type of thinking that alienates me from those who might be able to help and support me through whatever I may be going through. It is so easy to fall into this way of thinking, this way of setting oneself apart from everyone else. It, furthermore, is a very hard mindset and overall disposition to escape, especially if you’re as stubborn as I. One just has to open oneself up. Oh, just typing that makes me cringe, but it’s true. Ugh, how incredibly uncomfortable vulnerability can be.

So, in an effort to momentarily escape this particular source of discomfort, I will allow myself to make my point in a more gradual, and round about manner. You follow? That’s alright, neither do I, just go with it. As a friend of mine said to another, just nod and smile when Livia's talking.

Life is the way it is. It simply is. This is may be vague and difficult to understand, because, well, I’m explaining it. Just nod and smile, and you’ll eventually get it. We are the way we are. Wow that sounds cynical. I promise you, I’m heading to an optimistic conclusion. Acts that you performed in the past, and the influences of outside agents produced the present moment, and the present cannot be changed.

Essentially, everything that takes place in one’s life to produce the present does so for a reason. Yes, I have said this before, but I’m making a different point here. Stay with me. Alright, let’s go back to that for a moment, as I’ve said before, everyone in the universe is connected (we still don’t know there aren’t aliens, so I’m not limiting it to the earth right now). Everything everyone does thus effects everyone else in some way or another. We are all wheels, cogs, screws, etc. of the machine that is the universe, and every movement we make, every action we take effects the whole. So, now, the present moment, and all of the things that have lead to it are. They simply are. I realize I’ve returned to that vague expression of my perspective…

Again, stay with me. All of the emotions you are presently experiencing, the joy, pain, frustration, fear, love, appreciation, etc. are. And, they are the way they are for a reason, because if they were any other way, the world would be a completely different place, because everything effects everything. Everything is, and has to be the way it is for the progression of the world, wherever it may be going. This is not good, it is not bad, it simply is.

I believe I may be rambling, I do that sometimes, but, notice, I didn’t apologize. See, progress. I’m not sorry, reader. I hope you are amused. That may have sounded sarcastic, but I didn’t mean it to be. Not sorry, just clarifying.

The point that this jumble of unorganized words is trying to get at is that there’s no need to suffer. I believe that pain is inevitable. Heartbreak, physical pain, loss, and the like are all unavoidable aspects of life. But, suffering is voluntary. I, in insisting that my pain is unique, and can’t be understood, allow my pain to overwhelm me, and force myself to suffer. But, I don’t have to. I really want to finish strong here, but I can’t seem to think of anything…not suffering though! Hmm…Is this awkward? A little bit? It’s ok to say yes, I think it is. Maybe it’s funny now. Or, maybe I just made it worse, there’s no way to tell, I have no idea what you’re thinking, though mind reading would be a pretty neat super power. I also think I might hear things I’d rather not hear…maybe it wouldn’t be all it’s cracked up to be after all. Oh well, I’m going to bring it back now. You know, gathering my thoughts at times feels like attempting to lasso a wild horse. Yeah, I lost it there for a moment, now I got it.

Don’t suffer, reader. Feel pain, that ’s natural, and inevitable, but it is so easy to slip into suffering more than one ought to. It is the tear filled water slide of suffering that I encourage you not to go down. It is possible, and can even lead to a better future present. Now, I am not saying that one should avoid crying, no. Crying is a wonderful release, and can often lead to feeling a little better. I’m merely attempting to steer you away from suffering. Live, smile, laugh, cry, etc. Only, this time, try and catch yourself before you go down that slide. Remind yourself of the reason that lies in everything that is, and try to connect with the necessary progression of the universe. Everything happens for a reason, after all.