I realize I'm a little (ok, a lot) behind on "The Great Church Search," but I will get back to it. There are more pressing things to blog about today.
Namely, I had a bad day at work. It was a really bad day. It was one of those days that I don't even want to talk about, one where I was reminded that I'm a mere human, replete with imperfections. These kinds of days are no good, but--as it turns out--life is full of them. So instead of sowing seeds of misery, I attempt to cope the best way I know how, by talking to God on the long ride home, a glass of wine, a big hug from Jeff, and memories of words of wisdom passed on to me in others of life's trying situations.
In particular, there was a poem that was once published--of all places--in the Ann Landers column back when I was in 9th grade or so. God knows why I was reading Ann Landers, but I happened across it and it became nothing short of my mantra in high school...words that carried me through many a adolescent storm. I printed the poem on pretty paper and hung it on the closet door of my bedroom and one simple phrase, "Accept your defeats with your head up and eyes ahead, with the grace of a woman not the grief of a child," was one that inspired me with hope on the worst of days. Today was no different.
So here's the poem in-full. I can only hope that it will bring you the same peace that it brings me today.
After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn
that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child
and you learn
to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...
-Veronica Shofstall
