Dina,
Namaste. :-}}
Welcome to The Cafe.
Althougth your question does not mention reiki, do not hesitate to bring issues to the reiki board - there seems to be greater Mindfulness about that board. :-}}
A large question you have. :-}}
Is there a Large answer? Probably, but I don't know it.
:-}}
Are there smaller clues and answers?
One view is that our pains and joys are this life's "interpretation" or version of the Karma we accummulated in the past lives and which, unresolved, has been carried forward into this life.
Mindfulness of one's joys and sorrows may yield some of the insights we need to detect a few of the "things" we need to resolve in this "round"
Intent will then also be useful for the resolutions.
Hope this helps,
Reiki all around,
all blessings,
firekeeper
