Reality

I'm still working my way through Anne Lamott's "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" and enjoying it. I tend to read Anne Lamott when I need to reconnect with some sort of more earthy reality. When life has become too intangible, and I need to ground myself a little.

And yet, I fell in love with this line from Bird by Bird tonight:

"Reality is unforgivingly complex." (pg. 104)

How very true. A truth that I'm feeling deeply these days.

Joy Hidden in Compassion

More from Henri Nouwen.

Solidarity in Weakness

Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means "to suffer with." It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty ... such experiences can bring us deep joy. Not happiness, not excitement, not great satisfaction, but the quiet joy of being there for someone else and living in deep solidarity with our brothers and sisters in this human family. Often this is a solidarity in weakness, in brokenness, in woundedness, but it leads us to the center of joy, which is sharing our humanity with others.

More on the Fire

I've been closely following a story on a basement fire that happened in Calgary a week ago. This is the latest headline.

Delay of Care a Factor in Calgary Fire Death