Yes, it is a newer perspective for me as well. Being grateful for the gifts of pain and suffering rather than resentful for their presence in my life: that’s been quite a journey. Part of it was the revelation that not one single person on the planet avoids suffering. Whether it’s mental illness, a car accident, abject poverty, loss of a loved one, addiction — every one of us suffers. It’s our response to suffering that defines who we are. And I decided that sometimes, it’s okay to laugh at myself. :-) Thank you for reading!