Pain is certain, suffering is optional.

May you shine your loving-kindness and happiness to your surrounding even though you are sick! May you share your merits with all beings! Photo courtesy from Sis Chew

Do you realize that when you are sick and you focus so much on the sickness, your recovery process is slower?

If you focus on the pain, and you keep thinking about the pain, it become severe pain as you are so fearful and worry.

Recently, I had lunch with one of my friend, he is a lung cancer patient and he suffered the cancer relapsed after a year plus. Now, he is fully recovered. He shared with us on what is his secret of recovery… to change his diet to vegetarian, to start Ta-chi to help good flow of oxygen in his body and most important to have a relaxing and free life.

Previously, his life was so hectic, busy and full of stress, he mentioned that he felt his body was so tense, his shoulder and neck was so tight and always in pain, as a result, he need to do body massage constantly to relax his body. However, lately, he felt his body is free of pain as a result of living freely from stress and also he exercise a lot.

Besides, he is also reminded us not to focus on the sickness, enjoy your life and live life to fullness. Every month, he’ll go to consult his doctor to check on his health condition, normally, he’ll joke with the doctor, sharing on his travel and some interesting topic about life. His Doctor is really amazed with him and mentioned that “His recovery is a miracle.” and she always share his inspired story to her patient to motivate them to survive. How great that he is using his life experience not thinking about his sickness to motivate others.

It reminded the teaching of Buddha, “Pain is certain, suffering is optional.” It’s all depend on your attitude.

You can shine your loving-kindness, happiness and joy to surrounding even though you are sick.