Category Archives: Suffering

My Focus and Wish

Posted on January 1, 2016 by russtowne

To do what I love with those I love, be grateful for everything, foster connection and ease suffering, and help people see the greatness and goodness within themselves and others. May your New Year be filled with blessings. With Love, Russ

Posted in Blessings, Connection/Connecting, Focus, Following Your Passion, Gratitude, Suffering | Tagged connection, focus, Love, passion, suffering | 20 Comments

The Way Out is Often Through

Posted on August 11, 2015 by russtowne

In my last post I mentioned some things I want to expand a bit on. I believe that attempts to quickly end suffering (or just go numb for a while because the pain is so bad) often leads to addictions … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Courage, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Fear, Growth/Learning, LIfe Lessons, Loss, Suffering, Teamwork | Tagged fear, Grief, home, pain, the way out | 13 Comments

Posted on December 29, 2014 by russtowne

I love the story at Misifusa’s blog that is linked below. I’d have re-blogged it if it wasn’t already a reblog. I am inspired yet saddened by what Anonymous must be going through to write such a letter, and for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adversity, Anger, Authentic Living, Beauty, Bullying, Challenges, Choices, Compassion, Connection/Connecting, Growth/Learning, Healing, Illness, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Stories That Touched Me, Suffering | Tagged acceptance, anonymous, bullying, letter, Love, Richard Paul Evans, Tourette's | 9 Comments

Lessons on Life

Posted on May 22, 2014 by russtowne

I found the information linked below to be worth every second I invested in experiencing it, and believe some of you will too. http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-mcraven-commencement-speech-at-ut-2014-5 With Love, Russ

Posted in Adversity, Bullying, Challenges, Community, Discipline & Consequences, Growth/Learning, Hope, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place, Mistakes, Patience & Persistence, Spirit, Strength, Suffering, Teamwork, Traditions & Rituals, Wisdom | Tagged challenges, Hope, Life, life lessons, Navy Seals, Seals, strength, teamwork, unity, willpower | 2 Comments

A Beautiful Solution to a Heart-breaking Problem

Posted on May 21, 2014 by russtowne

I’ll bet it’s not often that a tough-looking biker club gets called beautiful, but I’m doing it now. Please click on the link to see why. So many of life’s difficult problems can be dealt with in such creative ways. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Beauty, Bullying, Children, Commitment, Compassion, Courage, Creativity, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Fear, Goodness, Honor, Kindness, Making the World a Better Place, Strength, Suffering, Teamwork, Youth | Tagged abuse, bikers, child abuse, courage, fear, goodness, Hope, kindness, Love, safe, safety, tough | 8 Comments

Choices and Pain

Posted on December 3, 2013 by russtowne

I believe that when people go through awful experiences–especially situations where other folks hurt us–we have a choice. We can choose to let what we went through become an excuse to close our heart in an attempt to protect ourselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Challenges, Choices, Compassion, Courage, Dealing with Pain & Grief, Healing, LIfe Lessons, My Beliefs, My Written Works Misc., Non-Fiction Writing I've Done, Observations, Pain & Grief, Suffering | Tagged choices, courage, decisions, heart, I believe, joy, lasting joy, my beliefs, observations, pain, paths, suffering, will | 22 Comments

Ending the Cycle of Suffering

Posted on September 21, 2013 by russtowne

Some time ago I read a saying that I would have at one time agreed with and found humorous, but now just saddens me: “KARMA: No need for revenge. Just sit back and wait. Those who hurt you will eventually … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Compassion, Forgiveness, My Beliefs, Suffering | Tagged compassion, cycle of suffering, forgive, Forgiveness, Love, loving, pain, suffering | 19 Comments

Happenings

Posted on May 30, 2013 by russtowne

“Love is not a matter of what happens in life. It’s a matter of what’s happening in your heart.” –Ken Keyes I also believe that happiness is not a matter of what happens in your life. It’s a matter of … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Growth/Learning, Joy & Happiness, Life, Loss, Love, Mistakes, Observations, Quotes I Love, Random Thoughts, Suffering, Wisdom | Tagged beloved, child, children, death, failures, gifts, Happiness, Ken Keyes, lessons, Life, Love, setbacks, spouse | 8 Comments

The Curb

Posted on April 26, 2013 by russtowne

Dear friends: The poem below is dedicated to all who have lost loved ones, to those who have healed, and those who still struggle with their pain, grief, and/or regret at not having said or done what they now wish … Continue reading →

Posted in Loneliness, Pain & Grief, Poetry I Wrote, Regret, Suffering, Uncategorized | Tagged death, Family, hopelessness, loss, Love, misery, pain, poem, poetry, rain, regret, Shame, tears, torture, tragedy | 9 Comments

Truth Beckons

Posted on January 23, 2013 by russtowne

Dare I heed its call? I’ve fought it for so long Did all I could to stall But I see now I was wrong But when bigotry was all I knew It was safer with my own kind So I … Continue reading →