# The parable of the second arrow [[In life, we can’t always control the first arrow. However, the second arrow is our reaction to the first. The second arrow is optional]] It's a Buddhist parable giving advice about how to better deal with suffering. Whenever we suffer, two arrows fly our way. The first is the one that comes from the outside and hurts us. The second one comes from the inside and hurts us some more. While we have no control over the first, we can actually control ourselves and avoid hurting ourselves. ## References - https://grandrapidstherapygroup.com/second-arrow-of-suffering