Daily OM: Every day we hear stories of
personal suffering and loss that far exceed our own. When we compare our
situations to those of people living in war-torn countries or those who
have lost their homes and livelihoods to natural disasters, it is
tempting to minimize our own experiences of suffering. We may feel that
we don't have a right to be upset about the breakup of a relationship,
for example, because at least we have food to eat and a roof over our
heads.
While awareness of the pain of others in the world can be a valuable way
to keep our own struggles in perspective, it is not a legitimate reason
to disregard our own pain. Disparaging your feelings as being less
important than other people's emotions leads to denial and repression...read more>>>...