Our essence IS love. And love is not pained. Our ego, on the other hand, is easily bruised.
When we feel pain, or the negative emotion that follows pain, we can find comfort in realizing that while our ego may be bruised, our essence is intact. We can find comfort in love, our very own essence, our own embrace.
We are forever learning to be authentic, fearless, and free. We are forever learning to be pure love. Less than that can hurt; but less than that is not really love.
In love,