One way to find solace for our occasional mental agony and unhappiness is to compare the degree of our own sufferings and difficulties with that experienced by others. When we are unhappy we fell that the world is against us. We think that everything around us is about to collapse and that we are the only ones going through it. We feel that the end of the road is near. However if we try to think rationally and assess our situation without bias we will try to count our blessings.

We will find that we are better off than many other people. It is a good practice to keep a little book where we record the good things and the bad things that happen to us. When we compare these two lists we will find life does not always discriminate against us.

In short we tend to unnecessarily highlight our own difficulties and problems. Although many others are worse off than us, these people do not seem to worry unduly. Problems will always exist and the only thing we can do is to try to resolve them instead of worrying and adding to our mental anguish and pain.

On the contrary we must determine to resolve whatever issues or problems that we may face. We should realize that we have gone through worse situations before this and that we are preparing to face new issues. That is why we use the symbol of the wheel.

When it is moving, just as life is constantly moving, no point remains in one position for any length of time. Similarly, life’s treatment of us never remains constant. Remember always ‘It will pass’. Come what may, with this frame of mind we will soon regain our self-confidence and we will be able to face and resolve whatever problems that are in store for us.

We have to realize that whatever method we adapt to overcome our problems, it is impossible to gain complete satisfaction in our life until we train our mind and reduce selfishness and craving. The teaching of the Buddha gives us a very clear exposition to understand the nature of human problems and how to overcome them. The Buddha says, the world is situated in dukkha or conflict. Here world means all phenomena including our physical body. If the world is like this how can we expect complete satisfaction as long as we exist? So by realizing this we must try to maintain some sort of satisfaction in our life to maintain peace in our minds as understanding human beings.