Happiness Mastery – “Pain vs. Suffering”

Julian Kalmar
Happiness lessons weren’t restricted to the master’s workshop. Once as we drove to a store, a three-legged dog limped by trying to keep up with two other dogs. As a six-year-old I became terribly sad for the poor dog.
When the master asked what was wrong, I told him. He said, “Oh, don’t worry about him, he’s perfectly happy. Don’t you see his wagging tail and happy smile?”
“Yes,” I said, “but he’s lost a leg. I feel so sorry for him.”
“Julian, that dog was probably hit by a car and was in terrible pain. A vet amputated his leg to save his life,” said the master.
I got a lump in my throat and started tearing up.
“Julian, if that dog felt sorry for himself, he’d be hiding somewhere with his tail down. Look at him. He’s playing with his friends, tail in the air, sniffing things, and exploring. He’s too involved to care about his missing leg.”
“People mope around for months if they lose a leg. They keep thinking about all the things they can’t do. They ‘suffer’ more pain by keeping it going in their minds.”
“So that dog is smarter than most people. He’s doing what he’s always done, and he probably doesn’t even think about his leg.”
“Pain can’t be avoided sometimes, but suffering is a choice. We suffer when we dwell on past pain. So always try to be like that dog: Focus on what you want to do, and do it.”