Friday, October 17, 2008

Through the darkness comes the light


“And there is another feeling that is a great consolation in poverty. I believe everyone who has been hard up has experienced it. It is a feeling of relief, almost of pleasure, at knowing yourself at last genuinely down and out. You have talked so often of going to the dogs—and well, here are the dogs, and you have reached them, and you can stand it.”
– Down and Out in Paris and London , by George Orwell (1933)

When we are faced with trials, personal, professional, economical, etc., we often are fearful. I am. I am quite the little worrier, although I have made great strides in breaking this behavior. I am quick to fear the unknown, or the dreaded worst-case scenario.

But then that worst-case scenario happens, and the most amazing thing about it is that amidst the rubble of broken hearts and broken dreams and just being broke you are still alive, somehow breathing, and experiencing it in all its horrific and excruciating glory.

But.

When you've finally reached that moment (I believe they refer to it as capitulation in the financial markets), there is a certain freedom that accompanies the despair. A sliver of a silver lining.

Which is the knowledge that whatever has happened didn't crush you, didn't kill you (unfortunately), and that you will (somehow) survive.

You. Will. Survive.

I promise you this.

And, miraculously (it truly is a miracle) one day you wake up and things are ever so slightly better. And you keep waking up everyday and bit by bit, you become whole and healed and happy again.

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