Coming out of The Storm

Many feel that God is a bully responsible for every wrong, for every killing, murder and death. And many say he is at fault for not intervening and preventing all things bad.But the suffering we go through in this life serves a greater purpose during and after this life. A soul cannot be destroyed so one cannot die in the sense of ceasing to be but only in the mortal sense.And more often than not the suffering we go through is due to either our own actions or that of others. It is the cost of having agency.I was in an abusive and manipulative relationship for four years. It was hell but I stated because I kept thinking, despite all evidence, that things would change. But it never did.Because of that train wreck of a relationship and others I learned about what was unhealthy and I persevered through my current marriage and learned how to maintain a healthy relationship that I otherwise would have bailed on or would not have appreciated as I do now.I became a much different man once that  abusive relationship ended. I was ready and able to handle what I have now. It was a stormy relationship and I am a better and stronger man for having weathered that storm.Every struggle we face in this life shapes us into a better and stronger person if we let it. We can sink or swim but the outcome is largely up to us and even when it's not our attitude and reaction to it is up to us.Peace is not being free from struggles, pain and chaos; it's being at peace in the midst of the storm. We don't need a life free of pain. We only need to let our pain make us stronger because a life without pain is a life like what Buddha had until he was in his 30's. Buddha was a prince who was groomed to be a great military leader. His life included everything a man could want, he was lavished with women, alcohol and riches.Then he finally wanted to see what life was like outside of the palace walls. What he encountered changed his life forever and his realizations changed history as well.He saw the poor, the sick and even the dying. And his response was to leave his old life and begin a new one as a traveling monk.He taught the path he followed that lead him to enlightenment in the hopes he may free others as he was free.Smart people learn from their mistakes but wise people learn from the mistakes of others. Buddha was enlightened at the suffering of others since he knew no suffering himself.But we can all learn from our suffering and that of others. We will be all the better for it.