For a great example of someone dignifying their values with pain, I can whole-heartedly recommend the autobiography "Things the grandchildren should know" by Mark Everett (Lead singer Eels).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Things_the_Grandchildren_Should_Know
His songs also hint at vital living: -----------------------------------------------------
Hey Man (Now You're Really Living):
Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor?
Cry your guts out till you got no more
Hey man, now you're really living
Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl?
Made you feel like it's not such a bad world
Hey man, now you're really living
Now you're really giving everything
And you're really gettin' what you gave
Now you're really livin' what this life is all about
Well, I just saw the sun rise over the hill
Never used to give me much of a thrill
But, hey man, now I'm really living
Do you know what it's like to care too much?
About someone that you're never gonna get to touch
Hey man, now you're really living
Have you ever sat down in the fresh-cut grass
And thought about the moment and when it will pass
Hey man, now you're really living
Now you're really giving everything
And you're really gettin' what you gave
Now you're really livin' what this life is all about
Now, what would you say if I told you that
Everyone thinks you're a crazy old cat
Hey man, now you're really living
Do you know what it's like to fall on the floor?
Cry your guts out till you got no more
Hey man, now you're really living
Have you ever made love to a beautiful girl?
Made you feel like it's not such a bad world
Hey man, now you're really living...
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P.S. You rock my world:
I was at a funeral the day i realized
I wanted to spend my life with you
Sitting down on the steps at the old post office
The flag was flying at half-mast
And I was thinkin' 'bout how everyone is dying
And maybe it's time to live
I don't know where we're going
I don't know what we'll do
Walked into the thrif-tee
Saw the man with the hollow eyes
who didn't give me all my change
But it didn't bother me this time
'cause I know I've only got this moment
And it's good
I went to the gas station
Old woman honked her horn
Waiting for me to fix her car
I don't know where we're going
I don't know what we'll do
Laying in bed tonight
I was thinking and listening to
all the dogs and the sirens and the shots
And how a careful man tries to dodge the bullets
While a happy man takes a walk
And maybe it's time to live ----------------------------------------------------