I have discovered a silver lining in the experience of involuntary suffering: it allows you to prove yourself to yourself. Though it may lead to deep-seated fears and traumas, you also gain a firsthand understanding of your capabilities and an unfiltered view of reality.
I believe this may explain why people who have never been through anything in life are so petty and unnecessarily cruel. They are very discontent with themselves. They have yet to prove themselves to their own self. This is why they are desperate to win at the cost of others. This is why they are desperate to feel better about themselves at the expense of another. This is the only way they get to prove themselves.
In contrast, those who have suffered and endured the spectrum of human experiences possess a quiet knowledge. They need not find themselves tall in the shortness of another. They know that at the end of the day, you face life alone. You carry your own burdens. You win your own wins. They understand and accept that life is a solitary journey.
This is not to say those who have experienced violence do not act cruelly or perpetuate their cycle of abuse. Simply enduring pain without reflecting on its deeper implications will not lead to growth or transformation. Animals, for instance, face pain all the time without contemplating its significance.
Those who acknowledge and confront their pain, possess a level of awareness that allows them to learn from their experiences and take responsibility for their own lives. In this way, suffering can be seen as a function of awareness. It is not merely the experience of pain, but the conscious awareness of that pain and the willingness to face it that allows for growth and transformation.
Reflection, introspection, transformation are all potential products of suffering. Suffering requires consciousness. A high degree of.
With this line of thought, one can conclude that suffering is an undeniable human endeavor. Despite its negative consequences, it provides us with an opportunity to learn and grow in ways that are unique to our species.
You articulated the benefits of suffering well. I would also add that suffering humbles you; hence, society’s need to always be happy. But the silver lining of this is, one who is humbled is more valuable as a servant to others. And being a servant to others is the ultimate joy, which we learn from both Buddhism and Christianity.
Reminds me of how Nietzsche wished suffering on his friends, but in a kind way, for their benefit.