Welcome to the Inspirational Living podcast.

Today's reading has been edited and adapted from A cheerful philosophy forful Invalids by William Horatio Clark,

published in 1896.

As a member of the family of afflicted ones, and with the sincere desire of helping in adding

a few rays of comfort and hope to our imprisoned lives, I wish to communicate cheerful

and practical thoughts which are the outgrowth of my own years of physical suffering.

Instead of burdening your mind with quotations from ancient maxims, I will try to use

a rational philosophy and ignore my past bitter experiences, hoping for the good which may

yet be derived from them, so that many others

may be aided from the result of trials which have been so burdensome.

Our lives were not made in vain, and they will not be failures. Instead of despairing, we may be filled with hope.

The pain which we suffer is the indication of life seeking to enter and restore,

whether in our mental or physical organizations.

Without referring to the causes of our affliction, whether from hereditary

tendencies, diseases, or through accidents, there is something for us yet to say or do,

which may render the influence of our lives a blessing to those with whom we are brought into contact,

even though in some cases the prospects for our physical restoration may be hopeless.

As the bruising of fragrant flowers causes them to give forth a more ethereal aroma, so in our own lives

the good qualities may be brought forth by means of the afflictions which seem to press the life out of us.

The corn is ground to obtain the meal, and the wheat for the flour.

The maple tree is tapped for its sap, and the sugar cane is crushed for its syrup and saccharine crystals.

The quartz is pulverized for the gold and silver, while the ore is purified by fire.

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