I’m no Pollyanna. There is evil in the world. There is darkness and horrible, incomprehensible suffering and tragedy. Bad things happen, seemingly randomly, to very good people. Things do not always turn out right – at least in the short term.

Life very much is, as Buddha says, “…old age, sickness, suffering and death.”

However, in my book, the only response we can make is to practice compassion, to attempt understanding; to remain optimistic, positive, and healing. We must work to heal ourselves and others. It is a continuous process.

Jesus shows us this in His Passion and Crucifixion. One must let go of and finally go through the suffering, and die to the world in order to transcend it.

It’s the only activity worth doing, ultimately.

P.S. Hedonism comes in a close second for me!