It is a concerted attempt to embrace something that was once painful in order to accept it.

一致尝试去拥抱曾经的痛苦是为了能接受痛苦。

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A small but vocal group of Hawaiians and environmentalists have long viewed their presence as disrespect for sacred land and a painful reminder of the occupation of what was once a sovereign nation.

一群规模不大但积极发声的夏威夷人和环境保护主义者长期以来一直把这些（望远镜）的存在视作对圣地的不敬，以及勾起他们对曾经主权国家被占领的沉痛回忆的事物。

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Question: I hear friends saying there is nothing in this world that we cannot let go of as once we feel attachment is painful, we will naturally let go.Is this true?

问：我的一位友人曾说过，当我们觉得爱情是痛苦的，这个世界上就没有什么是放不下的了，我们会自然地放下这爱情的伤痛，这是真的吗？

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Once again,they don't spontaneously emerge once the painful experiences go away.

再说一次，幸福不会自动出现,并不是没有痛苦就能感到幸福。

哈佛公开课 - 幸福课课程节选

The positions remained the same, but the US was once again a painful market to be in for anyone that isn't Apple or Samsung.

ENGADGET: ComScore: US smartphone share leveled off in September, Android and iPhone continued their reigns

There is some evidence that Saddam Hussein made plans to make the occupation of the country he once ruled as painful as possible for its invaders.

BBC: News | Who's who in post-Saddam Iraq

The Berlin Wall once stood as a painful barrier between family and friends, a dark symbol of oppression and stifled liberties.

WHITEHOUSE: Presidential Proclamation -- World Freedom Day