“You desire to know the art of living, my friend? It is contained in one phrase: make use of suffering.” — Henri-Frédéric Amiel
It is no secret: Life is hard and it is not fair. This quote may seem a little pessimistic, but its statement still rings true. Our lives are consumed with this idea of suffering. From the very start of our existence, we fight the odds and choose life. People find ways to meet their basic needs as best they can and, in the face of misfortunate events, attempt to make the best of what they have. In living an artful life, one must “make use of suffering,” in that they make the choice to smile and persevere. Life is hard and it is not fair, but you have free will to arrange the cards you are dealt with.