Suffering Wisely

I discovered a term in a book todayIt made me pause it’s meaning to weighAgainst the many aches and painsThe daily stiffness groans and strains That age seemingly bestowsFrom toes to knees to my elbowsKey is learning to suffer with graceWearing a smile and stoic face Pain is inevitable suffering is optionalIt cannot be cured…

jaruggero

August 24, 2024

1–2 minutes

I discovered a term in a book today
It made me pause it’s meaning to weigh
Against the many aches and pains
The daily stiffness groans and strains

That age seemingly bestows
From toes to knees to my elbows
Key is learning to suffer with grace
Wearing a smile and stoic face

Pain is inevitable suffering is optional
It cannot be cured with alcohol
A stoic principle to adopt
Wise mind old body do co-opt

So suffer wisely you of age
Arrest the war pain tries to wage
Improve each day your toleration
Endurance is your comfort station

2 responses to “Suffering Wisely”

sallysometimes

August 24, 2024 at 9:34 pm

My grandmother taught me a poem with a similar message
‘Solitude’ – regret I do not know its author and there is more to it than these few lines:
“Laugh and the world laughs with you,
Weep, and you weep alone,
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
It has enough troubles of its own.
Sing and the hills will answer
A sigh is lost in the air,
Echoes abound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.
Rejoice and men will seek you,
Grieve and they turn and go.
They want full measure of all of your pleasure
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad and your friends are many,
Be sad and you lose them all,
None will decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life’s gall.”

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1. jaruggero
  
  August 26, 2024 at 11:03 am
  
  Excellent message and excellent memory on your part Sally!
  
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