Freedom from Pain

The other day I was upset. Now, I make it a point in my life to always find the best in every situation and to find the joy in life no matter what, so when I'm upset I do my best to figure out why, and what I can do about it. Sometimes, the best medicine for the wounds of life are friends. :) One friend of mine in particular has helped me back up more times than I can remember. He talked with me and helped me to see the light again. Now I want to share with all of you the wise words he spoke to me that night mixed in with my personal take on them.
Pain is almost always connected to one of two sources: anger, or fear (or both). We feel pain because we either cannot let go of our malice towards a situation, or because we are afraid of inadequacy, rejection, the feelings that might come from facing certain problems, or any number of life's trials thrown our way.
There's is no easy way to free ourselves of pain, but there is a way. We need to face the things we fear, we need to accept our fear, realize it, then have the courage to deny it, and move forward despite the risks. If we are holding onto anger, we must learn the hardest lesson of life, to love. When we can allow ourselves to see the Light of Christ that lives in the spirit's of every son and daughter of God on earth, it is impossible to not let our anger go. For love and hatred cannot and will not ever reside in the same heart.
Pain is an inevitability. Life will hurt. Sometimes we're gonna get a brick to the face for no apparent reason. It's our job to pick ourselves back up, look the world in the eye and say, "I will not back down, I will not give up, and I WILL prevail."
Pain and sorrow only have as much power over us as we allow them to. We have the power to free ourselves from their grasp.
To all of those who are reading this I want you to know one thing: No matter who you are or what you do, you are NEVER alone. God will be forever by your side, all you have to do is reach out and take his hand. My heart is full of the love I have for all of you. It is a blessing every day of my life to be surrounded by brothers and sisters wherever I go. May you all find peace, and may you all feel the infinite and abounding Love of God in your lives.
-from my heart to yours