When a person experiences pain on a daily basis it shapes both their view of the world and of themselves. It’s not necessarily predictable which shape they may take and it may vacillate even within the hour. Bitterness is one that comes from anger that everyone else gets the easy road without even trying. Humility is another more delicate shape from an acute awareness of their weaknesses. Vengeful determination can form out of an intense albeit brief offensive attack at the cause of the pain. But when that brigade once again fails they are consumed by defeat and dismay.
and tired. So ... so... so tired. Physically, mentally, and spiritually tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of searching for answers. Tired of hoping. Tired a trying yet one more promising solution.
Compassion and empathy are the shapes that can truly be beautiful. Lemonade, all things working for good, silver linings — call it what you may it, it doesn’t erase the past pain or cushion the next onslaught, but it is the only beautiful thing that I can see emerging that makes them loved by fellow sufferers who at least don’t have to be alone and in pain. Because we all know that being in pain is hard enough, but being in pain and alone simultaneously adds way more than insult upon injury.
May you have empathy and be un-alone.
