Originally written for CherShares
Pain has become my best friend forever,
that actually makes me feel alive…
without it?
I’m not sure I would survive.
Acceptance is the magic key
prognosis of a puzzling condition
he who has a medical degree
diagnosed a painful affliction.
But rather than sink into despair
I simply trudge on anywhere
and work with passion at my career
filled with compassion that is so dear
and knowing that my fate is clear
destined to help, soothe a hurt soul
I feel blessed fulfilling this role.
Nothing better than to give…
listen, care, help them forgive
yet not regress but live again
and moving on, learn to let go
of their past hurts and childhood pain.
To feel a physical pain inside
simply confirms that I’m alive.
And when I think of those who stride
in war and poverty, still survive;
how dare that I consume self-pity
and whimper meagre aches and pains
when those who suffer ‘round the world
of hunger, rape …do they complain?
They only ask for peace … petty portions
of cease-fire, gain some liberation
and tranquil minds, and scanty rations
… what so often we take for granted.
Pain has become my best friend
that actually makes me feel alive
without it?
I’m not sure I would survive.
I feel so humbled to assist
these youths who suffer silently
and reach out to us for a list
of ways to live more positively.
And then I try to instill hope
that will in time conquer despair
and offer skills to help them cope
until they learn to truly care
and turn their life ‘round for repair.
I feel so humbled to assist
these youths who suffer silently
and reach out to us for a list
of ways to live more positively
© Cheryl-Lynn Roberts, January 5, 2014
Poetry share, prompt 37 for MindLoveMisery – Unavoidable Pain
I have added this post that I originally wrote on my blog CherShares because it speaks as well of chronic pain, suffering with Fibromyalgia; as well, the writing exercise allowed me to share my passion in my career of helping those who are so courageous to reach out and trust our service. I feel privileged in helping such brave souls. Cheryl-Lynn
Stop the Stigma 
I do not know what it is like to live without at least some level of emotional pain. It has been present all my life. So, your statement that pain makes you feel alive really resonates. Quite honestly, I do not know what I would do if a genie popped out of bottle and granted me three wishes. I know a lot of people would go for money, power, etc. But, would I wish for happiness? I don’t know.
I do know that helping others who are suffering from mental or physical pain does make me happier, and it does humble you when someone calls a hotline and you answer the call, and sometimes, become that person’s lifeline for the time that you listen and they talk. I can be a very difficult and challenging thing to do, but if the ultimate end is that they hang up feeling better, you have impacted the course of a life. That’s a pretty big responsibility.
I thank you and everyone who works these hotlines. It can be troubling, painful, funny, happy, disturbing, etc. But, just by picking up the phone and letting someone spill their heart out to you can seriously alter the course of that person’s life. I thank you because I have called the crisis hotline here, and poured my heart out. A wee bit of compassion can go a long way in helping someone. Sometimes all it takes is a sincere smile 🙂
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What a sweetie you are! I do see their smiles in my mind’s eye and can hear their tone shift from despair to temporary hope and that’s all I expect…no miracles, just a shift and want them to know that I really really do care. Thank you for all that you do with your blog and souls that you touch, dear one, Namaste, Cheryl-Lynn xx
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I wouldn’t call me sweet; I have my moments. Have you read the nursery rhyme about the little girl with the curl in the middle of forehead? When she was good, she was very,very good, but when she was bad, she was very, very bad. That’s kind of how I see myself. I am just an ordinary manic-depressive that sees hurt and tries to fix it….even if it’s a laugh for the moment. 🙂
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I have my dark days too, dear one…no one is all sweet. Gee, you’re human. Bless you. Glad I finally got home safely…so slippery on sidewalks, had to walk on the streets…thankfully I have a white parka:)
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You are much further North than I am. I am glad you got home safely. Whenever it snows here, people lose all driving skill (and they don’t have much to lose) 🙂
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You made me smile describing drivers in your neck of the woods. Well, you must have heard of our Quebec drivers here…hehe…many take lots of chances here, unfortunately. Very aggressive drivers.
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Ours aren’t really aggressive. They’re just flat out stupid, Especially the guys in big trucks! 😀
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Oh, I would LOVE to have a big truck! I would feel so powerful…hehe
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That’s why these guys don’t realize that their big heavy trucks have no traction because all the weight is in the engine, with nothing in back…..
My all-time favorite car for snow is the older models 1960’s 1970’s Volkswagen bug. They may not have frills and bells and whistles, but they have traction. Front wheel drive with the engine in the rear. Genius!
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My sister learned to drive in a 70’s Bug! Boy did we go everywhere in the winter.
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I had a 1962. It was older than me by 9 years, but, man in the snow everybody would be slipping and sliding, and I would just toodle right on through.
It is because the originals were designed by Porsche for Hitler’s officers and himself to get around in. Think about the name “Volkswagen” ~ people’s car. They were designed in Germany and for the German mountains and for the German people.
I just though it was a cute little pregnant roller skate that sounded like a lawnmower 🙂
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So true!! I did fairly well with my 1974 Toyota too…heck of a lot better than my darn 2003 Tiburon…way too low…I just float on the snow…I like little cars in the snow with good winter tires. High above the ground to get through 6inches of snow no problem.
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i loved my Saturn. I put some good Michelin all-weather tires on it when I replaced the originals. Everybody gave me a hard time. And, then it rained, hard. And, then it snowed. i was just like “Who’s laughing now?”
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heh heh!! 😀
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Was laughing all the way home 😀
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And at least YOU made it home 😀 Have a great day today, it’s freezing but at least it’s sunny.
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Same here. It is freezing outside but the sky is clear and blue! You have a good day today also 😀
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My cat is all stretched out in her bed in the warmth of the sunshine…only I have to walk outside that window {sigh}
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Remarkable work like you I believe that suffering teaches us compassion. My husband suffers chronic pain (Ehler’s Danlos) and I am amazed by him everyday by his compassion and his insatiable desire to learn. You are amazing =)
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Thank you for your kind words. I am not amazing, but I do work with amazing people who make me shine 😀
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I just looked up this condition. I am sorry to hear your husband suffers as such. HE is an amazing person and you are remarkable with the blog you have…so glad I discovered you through my other blog:)
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I am glad I discovered you as well and thank you so much for that =)
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🙂
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Thank you very much, I’am really glad that I’m following you. I’m still figuring out. Just wanted to say that you are an awesome blogger. greetings from Gede Prama 😉
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Thank you, Gede, for your most kind words. I jump from this blog to CherShares (more personal). This exercise was too important, so I posted it on both blogs. Namaste, Cheryl-Lynn
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