Sunday, May 20, 2007

I have this friend named Val. She is so wise and eccentric and beautiful. She and her husband moved away over a year ago, so I don't get to see them very much anymore. But I remember she would often talk about the importance of moving from strength to strength- the idea that when changes come in life, we should move as if we are walking towards something, rather than away from it. When we live in avoidance, due to fear or shame or... the fact that we "don't like" something, we may be missing out on the life that can come from a place of sacrifice. When we "change our minds" about something, what is the motive: to run away from adversity, or to run towards a place of life and peace?

After talking this over with friends over a delightful Sunday lunch today (Texas Wrap @ Moxie's Grill. C'est bien.), I have come to the conclusion that a person cannot truly find peace when he or she is seeking to be rid of a lack of peace. Does that make sense? Peace- a genuine rest in the depths of one's spirit- cannot be obtained by running from difficult or challenging circumstances, by avoiding that which makes us uncomfortable or afraid. I believe it is necessary at times to walk through adversity in order to arrive at a place of peace.

Moving from strength to strength does not mean that we must always be strong. Rather, perhaps it means acknowledging our weaknesses and yet facing them anyway. Perhaps it means knowing that we are bound to fail at something, and yet trying it in spite of ourselves. How else will we grow?

posted by Jules @ Sunday, May 20, 2007 0 comments