Dark Night of the Soul

[FlickerOfLight]

@"GeauxHomeLittleD"#21 You are so right. We as humans are an impatient, stiff necked lot.

We find it difficult to be quiet and to be still.

When I was a pre-teen, my Mother taught me to stop being afraid and to stop running from the darkness and the unknown. The first thing that became obvious to me is that darkness is full of sound, there is no real quiet in the darkness, but you can find peace there.

The second thing I was able to do was to see. Once my eyes became acclimated to the dark, I was surprised at how much I could see.

@"FlickerOfLight"#259

Being the oldest of 10 children sort of imprints  you for compassion and embeds you with a servant's heart. I find much joy helping others, especially those I don't know, because as good as I am at giving, I am really lousy at receiving.

I am a grateful for all that I receive, but inwardly I don't feel the same joy that I feel when giving.

My dear friend says that I am selfish, because I steal from others the joy of giving when I don't allow myself to receive.

After my stroke I was full of the feelings of gratitude at the true compassion, the thoughtfulness, and the generosity of my friends, family, neighbors, and church.

I learned what love, compassion, and generosity is truly about. Another one of those experiences where it would be seen as bad, negative, a curse, taught me so much and allowed me to see beyond to the beauty that is so often missed.

I give that a solid, "Amen."