increscunt animi, virescit volnere virtus (the spirit grows, strength is restored by wounding)

To quote Nietzsche :
"To stay cheerful when involved in a gloomy and exceedingly responsible business is no inconsiderable art; yet what could be more necessary than cheerfulness? Only excess of strength is proof of strength"

Why is it that we fully experience ourselves when in the extreme?
Have you ever wondered why it is that strength is built upon the once shakiest of all foundations? It almost needs to be exhumed from us when we are at our most vulnerable. Is it something we are born with or without? The ability to face our own selves and perhaps not like what we might discover. 

Even Jesus and Buddha believed that suffering was to be experienced and only a transformation of the heart could turn things around. It is beyond our own intelligence, something which we cannot control. Personally, I am thankful for my suffering, it has opened my eyes and my heart to things I might never have seen had they not occurred. This wasn't always my view...

The TV tells us that we will be happier if - we lose weight, have more money, have a better car, have an attractive spouse (a media definition of attractive, that is), can be the best at something, work hard, play hard, wear this or that and basically cram our lives with meaningless crap. Sadly, it is a trap that everyone falls into at one stage or another. Not because we are easily brainwashed or stupid but because we are vulnerable and we are busy (often stressed), we are looking for that instant hit of success over the suffering. We are told to avoid suffering at all cost, crying is weak and to "pull our socks up" to get on with things.
Does life hold such little meaning that we value it on the exterior?
How does anyone have a transformation of the heart with only these modern suggestions?

Loyalty and guilt tells us we should be the ideal son/daughter, friend, lover, spouse, employee and neighbour. Where is anyone's heart in all of those labels? It is always rewarding to do something for someone we love however, do we do that at our own peril? Does seeing another's suffering hurt us more than our own suffering? How does any of this help anyone with a change of heart?

Through experiencing one's own pain or seeing it through another's eyes, a life lesson can be learned. It is in the darkness that we remember that first glimmer of light.  It is doubtful that without the darkness that one would or could appreciate the experience.  And what might that glimmer of light be? It could be a thought, an awakening, a friend, an idea, a book, a song. It can be anything and this is what gives birth to the transformation of the heart.


 

Blind leading blind
Never hear the laughter
Search through time
Nothing reveals the answer
If it's truth that you're looking to find
It is nowhere outside of your mind
I bide my time
Waiting for your change of heart...

 Essra Mohawk, Cyndi Lauper