Buddhism teaches that while pain is an inevitable side effect of being human and alive, suffering is an option, a choice.

All suffering is caused by clinging. Isn't that simple? To end your suffering, you must simply LET GO.

Easy to say, really hard to do in practice. We want too much, we have too much, we prefer not to die when our time is up. So, we cling. We hold on. To everything. To everyone. Because just living is too scary. We can never find peace because we are constantly striving, and placing bets on outcomes we cannot control.

You have got life figured out, my friend. You will be much happier when you realize nothing, absolutely nothing, is permanent. Really! Nothing! No matter where you go, THERE YOU ARE.

So, why try to hold on to it? Just experience the moments, the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows. They are all created by the universe as lessons, to teach us something.

Life is like a roller coaster, the best one you've ever ridden. It is so good, when you finish the ride, you can't wait to go get back in line and ride it again. Except you can't ride it again, each person only gets one ticket good for one ride.

Lesson #1 is to LET GO.