The mind only appreciates roses and chocolate experiences. Those things that squeeze, that bring difficulties, are rarely appreciated by the mind. But, the squeeze is present to poke you into awareness. The EGO, while appearing to be the creator of problems, can also be seen as a friend, here to poke you, to torment you, over and over and over, to remind you that you are beyond the human experience, you are prior to thought. EGO says, "Oh, you forgot who you are, here's a poke, wake up or I'll poke you harder next time." The mind is like a friend taking away your keys when you drink too much.
