In class this week, the class was asked a question that lingered in my mind. Would you want a life without suffering, or a life with suffering? This question is very complicated to answer because throughout life a majority of people believe that everyone must struggle to appreciate the outcome of the battle. The saying “sunshine after the storm” correlates with this. However, I do not believe that humans want to experience pain. No one intentionally looks to get hurt. I would choose a life with suffering. Suffering builds character. I do not believe that I would be the person that I am today, if I didn’t endure struggles. Because I overcame struggles and obstacles, I can proudly say that I am a strong person. There would not be any pride nor excitement in a life without suffering. If a person had an easy life, could they really possess the qualities of a strong-minded person? Could they really say that they are determined and persistent in their life? My answer is no because they didn’t experience anything in their lives to prove this fact. How can a person say that they are strong, if they never overcame an obstacle? How can a person say that they are determined, if there wasn’t anything that was blocking their path to achieve their goal? For example, Microeconomics was the hardest class that I ever took. I struggled in the class, so I had to work twice as hard as others to pass. However, I worked extremely hard and passed the class. That experience proved to myself that I am a determined individual. If I wasn’t in that class to experience that, I probably wouldn't have realised how strong and determined of a person I am. This experience and many others proves to myself that I can overcome challenges. A person that doesn’t suffer can not say this. I believe that a life without suffering is tempting, but would be meaningless. I believe that myself and many others love being able to say that we overcame challenges and can enjoy the outcome more because of it.
I agree with everything that you have said, but i cannot resist the temptation of playing devil's advocate. In reading i saw that their was a correlation between challenges and suffering. Looking at pure definition, can we say that these are the same? Would a life without suffering really be one without challenges to overcome? If you wish to make them the same, do you agree that the many diseases we have are necessary to appreciate life, the wars, slavery, etc? I'm sure this is not the case. for these are things that we as humans fight against to no longer exist. so should struggle dwell in your universe? and i believe it should. you are right that it defines us and refines us. Suffering can do the same, but some scares can never get rid of their marks on the fabric of time.
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