There is a pain and sadness among many of us in education as the possibilities we dream of for for kids’ lives are diminished by the system in power. This is not unique to education–it is happening in many of the “helping professions.” To persevere, we have to find ways of seeing the pain, of navigating, of using, of even playing with it as Charlie Chaplin recommends.
Pain is a central topic for many who have accomplished a great deal in any field from religion to government, from war to music.
Here are some words of wisdom from some of those people.
Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. Joseph Campbell
To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it! Charlie Chaplin
Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Khalil Gibran
Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom. Rumi
I think modern medicine has become like a prophet offering a life free of pain. It is nonsense. The only thing I know that truly heals people is unconditional love. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
I hate pain, despite my ability to tolerate it beyond all known parameters, which is not necessarily a good thing. Hunter S. Thompson
If you don’t know about pain and trouble, you’re in sad shape. They make you appreciate life. Evel Knievel
It’s an art to live with pain… mix the light into gray. Eddie Vedder