Kennisha,

I am sorry for your suffering.

While understandable to need to vent, it must be understood that we all, in one form or another, suffer. This truth makes it difficult for us to listen to one another’s problems while we have our own to tend to. While it is not wrong to try/want to be social with others, when we are troubled and wish to share I believe it is more important to do so with those we believe are more learned than with just anyone. And, if we do not have those around us, well, as you’ve done, the internet provides a great many avenues to seek those who are. This is not to say that I am one of those more ‘learned’ individuals. In fact, I am still quite the student. However, I will try my best to share with you what my teachers have taught me.

As I’ve mentioned, please do your best to recognize that we all suffer. When you come to realize this common relation we all share, you will find that our (negative) actions are not necessarily intentional. They are/seem only negative because it is possible we do not know any better. Understanding this will help us remove any chaotic emotions (anger, frustration, dissatisfaction, etc…) we feel towards another. Also, this will help us establish a more positive demeanor and allow us to garner more positive speech and actions. As we must feed our bodies healthy foods, we must also do the same with our minds by feeding it healthy thoughts. Being positive and optimistic does not just happen (though possible with some individuals), instead it must make use of many of our efforts.

As for obtaining happiness, though outside factors to contribute to our well being, we must understand that our perception holds more power to how we perceive things. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “we can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” As you can see, there are two (or more) ways of seeing things. It all depends on you. The seeds of happiness, however, remain always within us; waiting for us to poor water over them. These exist within you. You must simply apply the effort of removing all of the impurities which have concealed them.

I hope this helps.

Al