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annie · 03-14-2007, 06:57 AM

I have a fairly strong opinion on the subject, which will be in the minority. But it's good to get a variety of opinions.

IMO tragedies will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it. Will our adversities be stumbling blocks or stepping-stones? It's possible that we came to mortal life to encounter resistance. Could it have been part of the plan for our "eternal" progression? Without temptation, sickness, pain, and sorrow, there could be no goodness, virtue, appreciation for well-being, or joy.

Sydney J. Harris (from the Chicao Daily News) wrote:

“I walked with my friend, a Quaker, to the newsstand the other night, and he bought a paper, thanking the newsie politely. The newsie didn’t even acknowledge it.

“ ‘A sullen fellow, isn’t he?’ I commented.

“ ‘Oh, he’s that way every night,’ shrugged my friend.

“ ‘Then why do you continue to be so polite to him?’ I asked.

“ ‘Why not?’ inquired my friend. ‘Why should I let him decide how I’m going to act?’

“As I thought about this incident later, it occurred to me that the important word was ‘act.’ My friend acts toward people; most of us react toward them. He has a sense of inner balance which is lacking in most of us; he knows who he is, what he stands for, how he should behave. He refuses to return incivility for incivility, because then he would no longer be in command of his conduct”

I like that example because it challenges each of us to focus our attention on the individual responses we must make to the personal adversities that are sure to hound us throughout our lives. Our responses will inevitably shape our souls.

If you're "religious" at all.... opposition is divinely decreed for the purpose of helping us to grow and we have the assurance of God that in the long view of eternity it will not be allowed to overcome us if we persevere in faith. We will prevail. Like the mortal life of which they are a part, adversities are temporary. What is permanent is what we become by the way we react to them.

03-14-2007, 06:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
annie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Posts: 334	I have a fairly strong opinion on the subject, which will be in the minority. But it's good to get a variety of opinions. IMO tragedies will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it. Will our adversities be stumbling blocks or stepping-stones? It's possible that we came to mortal life to encounter resistance. Could it have been part of the plan for our "eternal" progression? Without temptation, sickness, pain, and sorrow, there could be no goodness, virtue, appreciation for well-being, or joy. Sydney J. Harris (from the Chicao Daily News) wrote: “I walked with my friend, a Quaker, to the newsstand the other night, and he bought a paper, thanking the newsie politely. The newsie didn’t even acknowledge it. “ ‘A sullen fellow, isn’t he?’ I commented. “ ‘Oh, he’s that way every night,’ shrugged my friend. “ ‘Then why do you continue to be so polite to him?’ I asked. “ ‘Why not?’ inquired my friend. ‘Why should I let him decide how I’m going to act?’ “As I thought about this incident later, it occurred to me that the important word was ‘act.’ My friend acts toward people; most of us react toward them. He has a sense of inner balance which is lacking in most of us; he knows who he is, what he stands for, how he should behave. He refuses to return incivility for incivility, because then he would no longer be in command of his conduct” I like that example because it challenges each of us to focus our attention on the individual responses we must make to the personal adversities that are sure to hound us throughout our lives. Our responses will inevitably shape our souls. If you're "religious" at all.... opposition is divinely decreed for the purpose of helping us to grow and we have the assurance of God that in the long view of eternity it will not be allowed to overcome us if we persevere in faith. We will prevail. Like the mortal life of which they are a part, adversities are temporary. What is permanent is what we become by the way we react to them.