Anne – Page 67

THE USES OF SORROW

THE USES OF SORROW

(In my sleep I dreamed this poem)

Someone I loved once gave me
a box full of darkness.

It took me years to understand
that this, too, was a gift.

Poem by Mary Oliver from her 2007 collection, Thirst: Poems

REFLECTION:

What “boxes of darkness” do you have that still haunt you?
What is something that you previously viewed as dark and negative but now see as a necessary part of your journey?
Is there some experience or challenge you are currently experiencing that you can see as a gift? Write about it.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Quote by Martin Luther King

REFLECTION:

In a world with so much fighting, hate and divisiveness, MLK reminds us that only love and light can help heal.
How can you bring more light and love to your family, friends, community and YOU?
What can you do today to bring more love to those around you?
Take one action (remember love is a verb!)

We can wrestle with a challenge or a problem and find energy and possibility while doing it.

And we can dance with someone else as we seek a mutual way forward.

Fighting tends to be more brutal, final and hurtful than is often productive. You don’t want to spend your days fighting.

Words matter.

FROM: Seth Godin’s Daily Blog

REFLECTION:

Do you tend to wrestle, dance or fight with a challenge or a problem?
If you tend to fight, how is that working for you?
Consider a situation you are currently challenged by. How can you dance… find a mutual way forward?
Remember – your words matter. Choose wisely.