When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou seest the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west,
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire
Consumed with that which it was nourish'd by.
This thou perceivest, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it's in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence liberates others."
-Nelson Mandela
Whatever 'God' is to you- be it general goodness as Plato's forms or a very specific deity as the Christian God is, we are of goodness and we are divine. I don't know how to pledge myself to a religion when what I believe is somehow so defined and yet undefined.
This is one of my dearest beliefs; love is Godly. I don't mean love for your fellow man (though that is) I mean being in love. That feeling of completeness with that person, the unspeakable feeling of true belonging is incredible. Love, real love, calms your fears. It makes no sense but you can do more knowing you belong, your mind free from that sort of worry and more is accomplished.
But with all things we err, and we have to choose what we let in our lives. Compromises are essential but sometimes you can't, like when it comes to your personal freedom or happiness. Love isn't jealous. As Martin Luther said 'sin boldly' I say 'love boldly' and accept that there will be need for forgiveness and there will be mistakes. I'm writing this all to myself I hope you know, this isn't hypocritical ramblings. Sometimes I have to hear myself say (or read what I write) to solidify a resolution or accept a truth. You've written me with kind words and sage advice, as well as destain and accusations. The former is much greater but to the latter I can't defend writing a blog. It's an interactive diary and it was a very hard thing for me to decide to do and I've been so scared to share myself. I'm learning a lot as I do this and as I hear from you. I believe this is a good thing and that we can learn from and uplift one another, from our computer chairs or sitting in a coffee shop. I'm on my couch with my laptop and sharing what's in my heart and mind with you wherever you are. How is this not miraculous, intimate, and very human?
I wish you love.
♥,
Scarlett
