“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
~M. Kathleen Casey
When I read about the hardships of the early pioneers, I am constantly reminded (and amazed) by their resilience. Although often beset by hunger, pestilence, epidemics, blight, extreme weather, poverty and any other catastrophic occurrence that can be thought of, the early settlers found ways to make things work. But what’s particularly worthy of noting in the perusing of their journals and diaries is the frequent mention of happiness–even in the midst of the worst hard times.
Somehow, when I read about these adventures, I don’t think that the protagonists were referring to same type of elusive happiness that we think of today. Rather, it’s a rare kind of happiness that emanates from the satisfaction of working hard and being content with one’s circumstances–no matter how difficult.
I often wonder how we lost such a remarkable trait over the years.
Built almost 150 years ago, a pioneering homestead still stands in the southwestern Montana territory.
Alex
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!