Years ago, someone told me this story:
http://www.frtommylane.com/homilies/years_abc/second_sunday_after_christmas-2.htm
It came to mind* when, recently, I visited a good friend who is going through a rough patch. "Rough patch"--you know, what we call any point in our lives (which we all have) when any number of things isn't working out right, or we're blue, or we're struggling to get on the right path.
As we sat and talked, I realized how much I could identify with her. And the funny thing is, seeing someone else struggle the way I have/do, I realized that before me sat the very reason why struggling (I want to use suffer, but that seems to extreme; I'll reserve that for the mystics and the martyrs) makes us more human, and more compassionate.
For a moment there, I realized how our struggles help us better see one another and walk alongside one another.
*I know, the parable doesn't quite match up. But it's simple, elegant.... a helpful reminder.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
One week to go...
Err...a little more than one week. I can hardly believe how quickly the time here has gone by, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to focus on my work. But. But....
I'm ready to be home, too. Since, oh, say, the first night here, I've been missing T. But it was ok. The first few days, anyway. Being able to focus on my work, not worry about taking care of another person, not feeling selfish for focusing on work (me? Why would I focus on me?) After a week in, I started worrying. Am I that girl? The one who complains about sleeping alone, who can't stop talking about her husband/bf/what have you. These worries, from a girl who prides herself on her independence.
This month has been a great reminder about why we live in community, why intellectual engagement alone is not enough. We are, after all, far more complex than the sum of our thoughts.
Hopefully, when I return home in a little over a week, I'll be able to take this momentum into finishing the last chapter. And then comes the reworking--I'm anticipating a lot. But here's hoping that the work will be good, focused, fruitful.
And of course I look forward to being in community again.
I'm ready to be home, too. Since, oh, say, the first night here, I've been missing T. But it was ok. The first few days, anyway. Being able to focus on my work, not worry about taking care of another person, not feeling selfish for focusing on work (me? Why would I focus on me?) After a week in, I started worrying. Am I that girl? The one who complains about sleeping alone, who can't stop talking about her husband/bf/what have you. These worries, from a girl who prides herself on her independence.
This month has been a great reminder about why we live in community, why intellectual engagement alone is not enough. We are, after all, far more complex than the sum of our thoughts.
Hopefully, when I return home in a little over a week, I'll be able to take this momentum into finishing the last chapter. And then comes the reworking--I'm anticipating a lot. But here's hoping that the work will be good, focused, fruitful.
And of course I look forward to being in community again.
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