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Mar. 22nd, 2013 08:26 am“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” — Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
(Always worth re-stating. So hard to find solace in those who haven't been through these depths, like chronic pain, or losing parents to cancer or addiction. There is nothing wrong with me, I don't need to be "fixed" for feeling pain or sadness - I need understanding and acceptance. To look suffering in eye, with no ability to change it, and not turn away, but keep love in your heart for me, despite the discomfort. To recognize and appreciate the strength it takes, sometimes, just to breathe. I don't look down on those who haven't been through these special layers of hell, but if you can't even hold my gaze, without telling me all the ways I need to change my perspective or sweep whatever's wrong under the rug with "positivity! gratitude! bootstrapping! look on the bright side!" then I can't trust you with my heart. Facing pain and being still within the suffering, accepting difficulty for what it is and honoring it, allowing tears to fall without judgement or disgust, without desperation to candy-coat it, is basic mature adult behavior.)
(Always worth re-stating. So hard to find solace in those who haven't been through these depths, like chronic pain, or losing parents to cancer or addiction. There is nothing wrong with me, I don't need to be "fixed" for feeling pain or sadness - I need understanding and acceptance. To look suffering in eye, with no ability to change it, and not turn away, but keep love in your heart for me, despite the discomfort. To recognize and appreciate the strength it takes, sometimes, just to breathe. I don't look down on those who haven't been through these special layers of hell, but if you can't even hold my gaze, without telling me all the ways I need to change my perspective or sweep whatever's wrong under the rug with "positivity! gratitude! bootstrapping! look on the bright side!" then I can't trust you with my heart. Facing pain and being still within the suffering, accepting difficulty for what it is and honoring it, allowing tears to fall without judgement or disgust, without desperation to candy-coat it, is basic mature adult behavior.)
