"الألم لا مفر منه. المعاناة اختيارية."

Pain is a part of life that we just can’t avoid. Think about it—everyone has experienced some form of pain, whether it’s physical like a stubbed toe, or emotional, like a breakup. It’s woven into the fabric of being human. But suffering, well, that's a whole different ball game. It’s what we add on top of the pain, our reactions, our refusal to accept, the stories we tell ourselves. That’s the optional part.

The essence here is simple: while we can’t dodge pain, we have a say in how much we suffer because of it. This idea is often traced back to Buddhist philosophy, which emphasizes that while we can’t control what happens to us, we can control our responses. It’s about recognizing that our minds have the power to either amplify the pain or help us move through it.

Imagine this—you're an athlete, and you’ve just pulled a muscle before a big game. The pain in your leg is real and unavoidable. That’s pain. But if you start thinking, “This ruins everything. I’m worthless without this game. My future is over,” you’re adding layers of suffering. You’re making an already tough situation much worse.

Take a real-life example from the life of Viktor Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. In his book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” he writes about the intense physical and emotional pain he endured in Nazi concentration camps. Despite the inevitable pain, Frankl realized that he could choose his response. He found meaning and a reason to live even in the direst conditions. His suffering was greatly reduced because he chose a mindset that helped him cope and even find hope.

So, how do we apply this wisdom in our daily lives? First off, it's about awareness. When you’re in pain, pay attention to your thoughts. Are you making the situation worse by catastrophizing? Next, practice acceptance. It doesn’t mean you have to like the pain, but acknowledging it can prevent additional suffering. For emotional pain, things like talking to a friend, journaling, or even therapy can be game-changers.

Picture this: you’ve had a terrible day at work. Everything that could go wrong did. You come home feeling defeated. Now, you could spend the rest of the evening ruminating about how unfair life is—that's suffering. Or, you could acknowledge it was a tough day, do something that lifts your spirits, and decide to start fresh tomorrow. The pain of a bad day is there, but the suffering is in your hands.

We can’t sidestep pain, but we sure can choose how much suffering we endure. It’s like choosing whether to wear a heavy backpack all the time, or to set it down and lighten the load. Remember, the pain will come and go, but the suffering is optional.