Suffering: the underlying program in the system which triggers the motivation for survival in living beings.

Most of the actions taken by living beings are inherently directed towards avoiding suffering in one way or another. Plants grow towards the direction of sunlight in order to be able to acquire the nutrients they need, and hence avoid "suffering". Animals (including humans) instinctively eat in order to avoid hunger, as hunger equals suffering. The desire to avoid suffering can be traced back to the motivating factor behind most of the main patterns in the behavior of living beings.

Although we may consciously choose to develop ourselves and follow our paths within the ideals that we may think we have established for ourselves, subconsciously, this seems to be the program which serves as the driving force behind our actions- the desire to avoid suffering.

I am part of the all that is.

I refuse to be a mere bystander, observing a world following motions of its own. I have to trust that if the Universe unfolds its signs to me in ways which I can interpret, that these signs can be more to me than simple warnings of inevitable resignations. Although I may not know precisely what my part may actually play out to be in the grander scheme of things, or how I may or may not affect the outcome of a specific situation, I choose to at least move the pieces that are within my reach with my best intent, to play my part in the story of the Universe unfolding with greater meaning.