Some are shocked at the intensity of the tear of separation, particularly when they are able to connect with others so deeply. Others are ‘surprised by joy’ at the overwhelming emotion of glimpsing a truly loving community, because somewhere in their childhood they lost their ‘home’.
The former more than likely traverse Himalayan-style across the emotional terrain of life; the latter can often struggle to experience the potential mountain peaks and valleys because they have learned to harden their heart. You see, the trouble with love is that you are not able to accept the amazing wonder of intimate trust and affection without the incredible vulnerability of being hurt in places no weapon of physical design can penetrate. Even a parting of ways can cause profound emotional distress simply because ‘life goes on.’
And yet, If I am to learn anything from this observation, I find that the joy that comes from being able to genuinely love another in friendship contains an infinite font of riches worth any pain of separation that is somewhat inevitable.
But I also know that my willingness to take such a risk comes from knowing that I am first loved by my heavenly Father: only He can provide the strength to love in light of the knowledge of such a vulnerable risk.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” - Isaiah 42:16
[Inspired by A. Powell’s "Au revoir. Goodbye."]
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Love's pain
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Why Post?
‘Post’: to display something in a public place
It seems that the sword has triumphed over the pen (temporarily, at least) as the efforts to persuade me to post have succeeded.
Money could not; incriminating publicity could not (see‘Paid to Post’ scandle descends into “Postgate”; Tue Feb 20, 2007), but finally the ‘pen’ has submitted to the latest threats of physical assault, recognizing that I value my health and well-being more than my sustained resistance against joining the avalanche of happy-go-lucky, carefree cyber-writers, web-posters, and ‘my-space’ bloggers (Although, now that I think about it, the threats did come by word in the first place, so what did actually triumph?).
So, having maintained silence for such a long time, I suspect by now the audience anticipation for the “debut Post” must be so greatly heightened as to surely guarantee disappointment. I would at this point draw your attention to the words of an ancient writer who was instructing a group of wayward-but-well-meaning church-goers, who stated, “I care very little if I am judged by you or any human court. I do not even judge myself.”
In light of such opening remarks, I assure you my debut contribution will be brief.
Actually, it is more of a question. Two words, but ample room for response:
“Why Post?”
Perhaps I could better capture the tone of my question by asking, “Why bother?”
I recognize that I picked up this attitude toward posting not because I actually believed it had no value, but, in being honest with myself, something in me didn’t believe that what I had to offer was of any value.
Maybe you can only value the work of another if you first learn to see value in your own.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
'Paid to Post' scandle descends into "Postgate"
A radical underhanded plan to lure non-active writers into posting on The Cacophony Ensemble took a nasty turn yesterday amidst allegations that some writers were offered financial incentives and being subjected to undue emotional pressures to contribute.
Embroiled in the controversy, serial recalcitrant non-posters Mr Douglas Smythe, Booragoon and Miss Karyn Ash, Como felt they could no longer stay silent and visibly broke down earlier today. Ash said that it was not simply the efforts to persuade her financially that had forced her to break her silence.
'My ability to function effectively in the workplace and in the student environment has been severely undermined by the undue pressures placed on me to write by The Cacophony Ensemble', Ash said.
'It's the labels, the barbs and the on-going innuendo that have resulted in the whole situation becoming untenable', Ash added.
'While their intent maybe ultimately wholesome, some of the methods employed to induce contributions have left me feeling uncomfortable and quite honestly, a little sacred. Sorry scared.'
Douglas Smythe also weighed in to the scandal by accusing The Cacophony Ensemble of heavy-handed bullying.
'I don't think anyone should be subjected to these strong-arm tactics regardless of their gender, creed, colour or beliefs. What these writers fail to understand is that the sword is actually mightier than the pen. The euphemism is not reality. It's been a long time since I was involved in the martial arts game, but I still have my sword and am willing to take up arms against my oppressors', Smythe said.
While Smythe and Ash sought the counsel of other friends in their distress, they were largely assured that their 'Paid to Post' problems were probably piqued by a penchant for alliteration and perhaps of their own fabrication. A suitable solution, it was suggested, would be to 'get over it and write'.