Suffering passes, but having suffered remains

By: Prof. Enrique Soriano

In our life journey, we do encounter difficult and tense moments because of personal tragedy, family conflict or a reversal of fortune.  But whatever pain and suffering that we are all going through must never defeat us. The expression, “whatever doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger,” is completely true. The way a person deals with emotional pain, or any type of pain shows a person’s true character.  How an individual overcomes these challenges with hope will define his or her resiliency and strength in the face of mounting adversity. I can forget many things about the pilgrimage, but I will never forget the masses or rosaries on the bus, while walking on uneven roads, on top of a mountain or in several Romanesque centuries-old churches. It was an experience like no other! It dawned on me that the masses are really special as it puts ourselves in deeper seclusion because we distance ourselves from all distractions.

The purpose of the pilgrimage is not to get to Santiago, the real purpose is all about self-discovery and an encounter with someone. I have noticed that the goal we seek happens during the Holy Mass officiated by our spiritual advisor, well-loved Jesuit priest and theologian Fr. JQ as he connects our daily Camino of life. Summarizing the regular homilies and trying to make sense of our daily physical struggles, Fr. JQ contextualized a pilgrim’s journey by connecting all our sacrifices to our life journey, constantly making us realize that “suffering passes, but having suffered remains.” His messages are personal and really hit home!

To those who are contemplating on embarking on this Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, do it. It is an opportunity of a lifetime. It is like the vitamin for your soul. As fellow Caminoan, Jun Selma would forcefully say,  WWC (While We can)! BUEN CAMINO!

 

 

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Prof Enrique Soriano is a World Bank/IFC Governance Consultant, Senior Advisor of Post and Powell Singapore and the Executive Director of Wong + Bernstein, a research and consulting firm in Asia that serves family businesses, family offices and family foundations.

He is an associate member of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) and an advisor to business families worldwide, a sought after governance speakers, and the author of many articles and publications, including two best-selling Family Business books (Ensuring Your Family Business Legacy)