On Freedom (addendum)

On Sunday, I wrote here about freedom.

I was chatting on the phone with my friend Faye tonight, catching up a little, and planning a time to see each other next week, and was rehearsing some of the thoughts I wrote on Sunday for her.

I complained that no one ever tells you that to get to freedom, you have to wade through a lot of crap first. That it's not quite the instantaneous thing that it's made out to be.

Faye offered a comment in response that I found quite insightful. She said that she thinks the reason that no one tells you that, is that most people will settle for pseudo-freedom. That very few actually do all the hard work to get to real freedom, and that therefore, they simply can't tell you how painful, and how much hard work it is to get there, because they've never really experienced it.

I think I'm thankful for friends like the one who sort of pushed me headlong into the mess I waded through on the weekend. And friends like Faye who offer insights like that. Because, despite the pain of getting there, I think I'd rather have the real thing than settle for pseudo-freedom. (Though it might be hard to get me to admit that the next time I find myself with another mountain of crap to wade through in the journey to ever-increasing freedom!)

Henri on Solitude (I relate to this one)

Henri Nouwen on solitude...

The Voice in the Garden of Solitude

Solitude is the garden for our hearts, which yearn for love. It is the place where our aloneness can bear fruit. It is the home for our restless bodies and anxious minds. Solitude, whether it is connected with a physical space or not, is essential for our spiritual lives. It is not an easy place to be, since we are so insecure and fearful that we are easily distracted by whatever promises immediate satisfaction. Solitude is not immediately satisfying, because in solitude we meet our demons, our addictions, our feelings of lust and anger, and our immense need for recognition and approval. But if we do not run away, we will meet there also the One who says, "Do not be afraid. I am with you, and I will guide you through the valley of darkness."

Let's keep returning to our solitude.