As Below, So Above

In moments when we suffer in our bodies, minds, or relationships, and perhaps especially when we do so as men and as women, we participate in whatever it is that has gone epically wrong with the world. This doesn't give inherent meaning to pain - in fact, that's the whole point. We are pushed beyond what we can bear, we break, and sometimes don't recover, and there's no reason.

I can't connect the dots between specific experiences of suffering and specific transformations or healings, but I do still have hope that epic longing, loss, and pain help me recognize and embrace epic love, joy, kindness and gentleness when they come my way. Some of that is is the responsibility of humans, to work for our own healing and growth, and some of that is sheer, occasional gift -- grace. In the future I hope to not remember precisely what these days are like for me, and not to reflect on them very often, but here in the moment, I'm willing to be aware and see if anything good can happen.

[via The Paris Project]