Recently, I have been mentally up-in-arms and constantly on my soapbox, in my head anyway, and sometimes out loud to my long suffering husband, about various matters of the world. And, I have to say, I've noticed as I am feeling a bit, shall we say, negative, about certain aspects of life, I have also been intellectually a little more nimble, a bit more agile.
I was listening to the remarkable, wonderful, superb Sister Vassa during breakfast, because oh, how I love to have Coffee with Sister Vassa in the morning, and she was discussing how pain, INCLUDING emotional pain, can be a way of bringing us closer to God. (Disclaimer, I am not sure which episode this was and it may not be the one I linked to... watch them all!) I had never before considered that emotional pain could be good for me, although I am quite familiar with the concept of physical pain being an opportunity for spiritual growth. This was revolutionary for me. I can't express my appreciation for that thought enough. Then today, I saw this article on Honey and Hemlock. I find this thrilling. Really? We don't need to think positively all the time? It's ok, even good, for us to nourish some normal, human emotions and thoughts? How liberating!
I would love to read some more of the studies and articles referenced there, but my current day job does not allow :-) Maybe that's a good thing. I don't really need a new soapbox at the moment.
