Life is Pain....

"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who tells you different is selling you something."

- Wesley, "The Princess Bride"

A terrific and funny movie indeed but so much truth in that one line!

Life is pain and suffering and loss and hurt and all of those things we have come to fear and try to avoid at all costs.

But guess what?  They are facts of life and the sooner we accept that we will meet struggles, meet pain, meet loss, and hardship on this journey, the sooner we can work on solutions to these problems and move past them!

If we know what to expect, know that at some point these things will confront us, and accept that as a fact, the better we can prepare to fight through them and be ready when they do rear their ugly heads!

And they will eventually...and that is ok!!

Now, a life without struggle and some hardship is something we can and maybe should aspire to obtain, but to let these tough things completely take over our lives and make us miserable is foolhardy on our part!!

Some have more pain, more struggle and complications than others, however, we all must see the VALUE AND BLESSINGS that come with overcoming hardship, loss and pain!

People who do overcome these obstacles are inspirations to us all and we should follow their lead!!

Never lose faith that no matter what what we encounter, things will always get better, that everything passes eventually, and that through this test by fire, we emerge stronger, better, deeper and more clear as to why we are here  in this life!!!

We need to use each other, be there for each other, and help each other navigate this landscape of uncertainty and anxiety.

We are not alone- YOU are never alone!!!

Embrace this life and make the best of this short time we have here!  Use the right measurements of what "success" really means and think about what you want the world to remember about you and what you are doing here!

Stay Strong!!!