Pain, far from its perceived context, is likely the most misjudged feeling in our universe.
We cannot resist the opportunity to avoid the dread of being hurt, of being lost or sometimes, even found. Law offers cruel punishments for the culprits, and most of all, religion grants it as the final destination for the disbelievers.
But even in all that, what we frequently fail to realize is the means by which, despite being a punishment, pain and agony never resists from teaching its bearers—as its initial purpose—a new way to look at life. Regardless of a murderer, a disbeliever or even a shattered heart, the pain one feels never neglects to teach its 'followers' a lesson in life, even in the face of demise.
On the other end, there lies love; a relatively simple feeling yet often believed to be the key to our existence. Love fades, and true love, if it exists, does not call for itself.
Love, regardless of whether for someone, a desire or even an attitude towards everyday life, whenever looked profoundly is nothing more than a polite response to our needs, our reliance and our selfish nature, so to speak.
It is no wonder, then, that one who adores the other and wants to keep them before their eyes at all time imaginable, is no less selfish than one who murders someone for money. They both want their needs to be fulfilled, in one way or another.
In the end, brave are not those who simply love, but those who love selflessly, who embrace unrequited love and those who can leave their love, for love. True love isn't subject to mere presence; it can even be unseen, and still, be felt.
But even in this straightforward yet complex attitude, agony plays an important role, if not the most vital aspect of its existence. As love is, in plain words, merely a fear.
People often love to stay away from the pain that may eat them inside, and frequently are they too shy and frightened to converse with their inner selves. They seek others to carry out that responsibility, those who, near them, ‘understand their nature.’ A search that once completed, and a match that once found, they name ‘love’.
We all realize it gets difficult and lonely now and again, but, said previously, there is strength in discovering isolation; a pleasure in finding solitude. Despite the fact that we may think we are dying inside, in actuality, it is never the case.
Life, in reality, then, resides amidst being loved and pained. It lies, far from any doubt, in seeking failure for success. In being dissatisfied for being satisfied. We continue to seek pain until we fail as that is the place of the new beginnings, which is, all things considered, what life is all about. Without pain, there exists no love, and vice versa.
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Alyan Khan is a student of humanities, writer, author and sociopolitical activist from Pakistan.
© This article was originally published on Dunya News.