What Suffering Can Teach Us

It’s one of life’s great contradictions: The world is breathtakingly beautiful — and deeply painful — all at the same time.  I’ve noticed that this contrast seems to stand out most in spring, when nature celebrates amid blossoming flowers and budding trees. Yet still, many of us are carrying burdens through no fault of our own. Loss, illness, loneliness, or worry don’t vanish just because the season changes.  Spring teaches us that renewal is possible even after the harshest winters, that joy can return slowly but surely. But the questions remain: What do we do with our pain? How do we make sense of suffering? Why do bad things happen to good people?  These are questions that philosophers, spiritual leaders, and everyday people have wrestled with for centuries. We know that the presence of pain doesn’t cancel out the joy of life. Somehow, in holding both, we grow.  Making sense of suffering Across cultures throughout centuries, people have turned to religion for guidance. Nearly every faith grapples with suffering to help us live with it, learn from it, and perhaps most importantly, grow through it. Their frameworks help many of us move forward with greater courage and hope.  In Buddhism, suffering (or dukkha) is the first noble truth: an unavoidable part of existence, but not a permanent one. Through mindfulness, one can rise above it. In Hinduism, suffering is seen as part of a vast karmic cycle, shaped by past actions and stretched across lifetimes. In Islam, suffering is understood as a test of faith and character. It’s a chance to exercise patience (sabr), draw closer to God, and extend compassion to others.  In Judaism, suffering is deeply acknowledged. The Book of Job gives voice to anguish and unanswered questions, reflecting the human cry for meaning in hardship. Jewish tradition emphasizes perseverance, justice, and the strength of community in times of trial. Through remembrance, lament, and the work of repair (tikkun olam), Judaism finds purpose even in pain.  And for Christians, there’s this week — Holy Week. From the triumphal entry of Palm Sunday to the anguish of Gethsemane, the story of Jesus’ final days is one of profound human suffering. But it doesn’t end there. Easter Sunday brings resurrection, renewal, and the enduring hope that suffering and death do not have the final say.  Understanding the purpose of pain All the great religious traditions share an arc that everyone can recognize. Life hands us moments of loss, heartbreak, and hardship. But often, just when we least expect it, healing begins and light returns.  Suffering is not the end of the story but the middle. It’s the darkness before dawn and the winter before spring. And, most importantly, suffering is a doorway, not a dead end.  In a recent article in Psychology Today, my colleague, Meredith Weinberg, teamed up with my friend, psychologist Dr. George S. Everly, Jr., to explore how suffering can serve as a catalyst for personal growth.   Meredith and George suggest that while we may not control external events, we can manage our internal responses, transforming suffering into an opportunity for development. This concept, known as post-traumatic growth, is supported by research indicating that individuals who navigate significant challenges often emerge with a deeper appreciation for life, enhanced personal strength, and improved relationships.   In other words, the experience of suffering changes us. We become more patient and more empathetic. And we connect more deeply with others because we’ve walked the same valleys. We don’t look away from others’ pain. Instead, we reach out because we’ve felt it, too. There’s an unexpected solidarity in suffering.  The resilience gained by suffering Resiliency is another outcome of suffering. How many people do you know, perhaps even yourself, who emerged from hardship with a new sense of clarity? Who, after grief, rediscovered joy? Who, after heartbreak, found purpose?   Suffering strips away the trivial and reveals the essential. It turns down the noise of the world and helps us hear the small, honest voice inside ourselves. We begin to understand what we can endure, what we cannot live without, and who we want to be.  None of this is to romanticize pain. Suffering is hard, and it hurts. But if we must pass through it, and many of us do come through it, then let us also honor what it can teach us and the gifts it may leave behind, like empathy, clarity, resilience, and a gentler heart.  All the best,  Jim  Is the way we approach death, grief, and suffering all wrong?   As part of our special April series on spirituality and human connection, I spoke with Dan Ariely, renowned behavioral economist, bestselling author, and professor at Duke University. Dan’s work has transformed how we understand decision-making, irrationality, and the hidden forces that shape human behavior. But this conversation goes far beyond theory.  In this week’s Power & Impact, Dan shares his personal story of a life-changing accident that left him severely burned as a teenager, and how that trauma led to decades of research into pain, healing, and what it means to be human. We talk about the psychology of grief, the rituals that help us process loss, and the choices that can lead to self-acceptance and deeper connection.  We also explore the surprising emotional impact of Dan’s half-beard, and how it became a public symbol of vulnerability and resilience, why pain is misunderstood, and the role of optimism, faith (with or without religion), and our shared responsibility to create meaning.  Let’s celebrate the Amazing Moms who do it all With Mother’s Day on the horizon, we’re looking to celebrate the incredible moms in our lives, especially those who wear many capes. Do you know a mom who’s also a teacher or a nurse? Someone who helps with algebra homework after an overnight shift, and still manages to pack a lunch with love?  I’d love to hear about her — and the other Amazing Moms who inspire you. Their strength, care, and creativity deserve to be recognized and shared.  Send us your stories, and let’s celebrate the women who do it all, often with a smile.  Reflections on leadership and the power of connection I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Leaders magazine to talk about what leadership really means in today’s world. As I shared in the interview, I’ve always believed that great leadership is less about titles and more about creating the kind of environment where people feel empowered to take chances, learn from failure, and grow.  We touched on the role of technology, especially artificial intelligence, and how it can help us connect more deeply and serve others more thoughtfully without losing the human touch that matters most. Just as important is our ongoing commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce as well as giving back.  You can read the full interview here.  What does great leadership look like to you? Share your thoughts with me for a chance to be included in an upcoming Celebrations Pulse.  Celebrating the quiet heroes of the workplace At 1-800-Flowers.com, we’re fortunate to have an extraordinary group of administrative professionals who keep everything moving forward — often without fanfare, but always with grace, determination, and heart. Whether it’s coordinating schedules or solving problems before they even surface, these team members are the glue that holds our brands together.  With Administrative Professionals Week starting on April 21, I want to take a moment to express my personal gratitude to every admin pro across our organization. Your work matters. Your presence is felt. And your impact goes far beyond what the eye can see.  I’ll be sharing more thoughts next week, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you: How does your company celebrate these everyday heroes? What makes the administrative professionals in your life truly amazing?  Let’s make sure they feel the appreciation they so deeply deserve!  Rooting for our leafy friends Did you know April 13 is Plant Appreciation Day? I know, there’s a day for everything, but this one’s worth digging into.  Our leafy friends don’t ask for much. A little sunlight, a sip of water, maybe the occasional kind word. In return, they give us so much: fresher air, a pop of color, and a reminder that growth doesn’t always come with pageantry. Sometimes it just happens quietly, leaf by leaf.  In our fast-paced world, plants are like little green life coaches. They teach us to slow down, stay rooted, and care for the things we love. So, whether it’s a humble basil plant on your windowsill or that big old tree out back, take a moment to appreciate the greenery in your life.  Better yet, share the joy — gift a plantto someone who could use a little calm, a little color, or a little something to care for. You never know how far a single sprout of kindness can grow.  Related articles that caught my eye Written by our Founder and CEO, our Celebrations Pulse Letters aim to engage with our community. From sharing stories to welcoming your ideas, we want to help you to express, connect, and celebrate the important people in your life.  View as webpage This email was sent by: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Two Jericho Plaza Suite 200 Jericho, NY, 11753, USA Manage Email Preferences | Terms & Conditions | Unsubscribe from Pulse Newsletter