Well, too, I find it interesting to consider the nature of pain and the nature of suffering.
I embrace pain.
I reject suffering.
Even when I experience pain, I do not necessarily suffer...
It's a matter of semantics perhaps, but my perception of suffering is a matter of a negative headspace. When my fling flaked out on me and I curled up in bed with my phone wishing he would call, I was suffering. When one is existing in a negative place, where joy is not, there is suffering.
I can certainly understand that people struggle with depression, with circumstance, with a hundred reasons that they might experience suffering. But I do not agree with any dogma that places excessive emphasis upon it.
In fact, it's one of the big reasons I reject most organized religions. There is this notion that suffering is noble and embracing and seeking joy is selfish, hedonistic, and essentially WRONG. That the more you suffer in this life, the greater the rewards in the next. Personally, I think that is meant to be a balm to those who toil in poverty and hardship, and frankly a means of control. For who among the elite wishes for the lower classes to really improve their lot in this life? Then who would do all of the hard labor? And (horrors!) they might expect a fair shake of the resources!
But enough of that... I choose to embrace joy whenever possible, and it's usually possible for me. I'm grateful for my joy and I don't take it for granted. And even in pain, I derive joy. I simply do not see the point in choosing to suffer, if one can do otherwise.