Sometimes our sorrow overwhelms us so much
that we no longer can believe in joy.
Life just seems a cup filled to the brim with
violence, rejection, loneliness, and endless disappointments.
At times like this we need our friends to remind us
that crushed grapes can produce tasty wine.
It might be hard for us to trust that any joy
can come from our sorrow,
but when we start taking steps
in the direction of our friends' advice,
even when we ourselves are not yet able
to feel the truth of what they say,
the joy that seemed to be lost may be found again
and our sorrow may become livable.
"Time heals," people often say.
This is not true when it means that we will eventually
forget the wounds inflicted on us and
be able to live on as if nothing happened.
That is not really healing;
it is simply ignoring reality.
But when the expression "time heals" means that
faithfulness in a difficult relationship can lead us
to a deeper understanding of the ways we have hurt each other,
then there is much truth in it.
"Time heals" implies not passively waiting
but actively working with our pain and trusting
in the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Henri J. Nouwen
One of my favorite definitions of the artist is
the one who creates out of the materials given.
This is really how we make art from our lives -
responding to the truth of what is,
rather than how we wish things to be.
We can spend our time wishing things were different,
or we can respond with great love to the circumstances as they arise.
Abbey of the Arts
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