I have much to learn about Buddhist philosophy, but I was thinking today about the notion that attachment leads to suffering. It occurred to me that perhaps the orientation around avoiding suffering shouldn’t be the goal.

Maybe meaning, and in a sense value, can be our orientation to the universe. When we ascribe meaning to our existence, and everything else we choose, of course there will be inevitable suffering.

But is that worthy of despair, of pushing back on the reality we experience? Acceptance of some suffering enables us to embrace the meaning and sheer amazingness of this thing we call the universe; and I’m starting to realize—even if there’s inherent suffering, it is worthwhile.