When we affirm life, we learn something of what it means to be human. But it is only when we affirm ALL of life—the joys, as well as the sorrows—that we begin to peer into the fullness and wholeness of what it means to be human. Whenever we find ways to circumvent suffering, parts of our humanity slip away. It is a confusing and painful paradox.
The 13th century Sufi poet and mystic Rūmī suggests:
This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all!
Much of the work I do, on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at Operation Snowball with teens, and in my everyday life, is to help individuals and organization welcome and embrace everything they face.