"Of course I'll hurt you. Of course you'll hurt me. Of course we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring, means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence, means accepting the risk of absence." -- Antoine de Saint Exupéry - The Little Prince
Weep. Wail. Kvetch. Dance with the wrathful dakinis.
You can lament your tenderness, or accept it as a fact of life, and get on with things.
Your choice.
I came across a whole series of photos last night that were taken not long after my last boyfriend and I broke up.
I was a total mess at the time. What shows up on my face is this steely strength. What shines out of those photos is this Gloria Gaynor-esque, 'I Will Survive' look that roughly translates as, "Yep, I am hurt, but I will survive even this."
At the time, I felt absolutely destroyed. I didn't think I would survive it. At. All.
However, I am still here.
I got up again. Despite being shattered, I rallied and I got on with my life.
"Winter never fails to turn to Spring." -- Nichiren Daishonin, Buddhist Monk
I think sometimes our terror at being hurt (or at hurting someone else) has to do with buying into this notion that we cannot rise again.
And, of course, we can rise again. Because we must.
Until we take our last breath, we must rise up, regain our footing, and strap ourselves in, so we can keep going.
Don't Stop. Don't Give In.
This is what it means to be human: love others, love yourself.
That's it.
The chase, the long pursuit of accomplishments and cars and clothes and McMansions, means nothing.
Without risking love, you might as well punch your ticket and move along.
Love is what you landed here to learn.
Love makes you softer and more open.
Love makes you kinder. Love stipulates that you show compassion (especially toward yourself).
Love wants you to love the world like you've got nothing to lose.
Trust that love's got you in its sights.
Love will catch you if you run hard and dive deep.
Love will find you even if life mows you down.
Love knows where you are and what you've been through.
So, let it in, damn it. Let it in.
When it knocks on your door, don't pretend you aren't home.
Answer the door and ask it to come in and sit a spell.
© 2015 Shavawn M. Berry All rights reserved
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