Thursday, September 29, 2011

WE CAN ENDURE

WE CAN ENDURE A LOT



To lead a life that goes beyond pettiness and prejudice
and always wanting to make sure that everything turns out on our own terms,
to lead a more passionate, full, and delightful life than that, we must realize
we can endure a lot of pain and pleasure for the sake of finding out who we are
and what this world is.
 
Pema Chodron
 
 
What must we be willing to endure in order to get where we're going? 
How long must we suffer before we come to the end of the journey? 
Deep deep deep, too deep for me...
 
The leaves are hinting at fall, a touch of yellow in the green. 
Cold air in the morning and night, a fog draped over the ground.
 
I hope you find something today that makes you smile.
Me, I've returned to painting crows...
 

9 comments:

Sadami said...

Dear Rhonda,
My favorite book,"Man's Search For Meaning," V.E.Frankl, an Auschwitz survivor, psychiatrist and philosopher. He often quotes Nietzsche, "He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how."
Enjoy sunshine. Take care.
Kind regards,Sadami

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Sadami. I will look up that book - I have heard of it in a psychology class but never read it. Perhaps I'm losing sight of my "why"??

Ann Buckner said...

Your writing is especially meaningful to me today, Rhonda. Thank you.

RH Carpenter said...

I'm glad it meant something to you, Ann :) Hope you are having a good day.

Jeanette Jobson said...

If there were no pain, no hardship, we could not enjoy the good times.

Carol Blackburn said...

The quotation hits home with me quite hard today, Rhonda. Going through a very difficult time at work and it could be a breaking point in my career. I will definitely find out more about who I am as I tackle this demon.

RH Carpenter said...

True, Jeanette, you must balance but sometimes life seems to be unbalanced one way or the other (we never worry when it's too much happiness, do we?).

Carol, I wish I could be there to commiserate and try to help you with talk and good chocolate and coffee. Remember what made you start on the path you are on - and if that is worth continuing or if you have to continue ($ has to be made to survive and finding one's bliss doesn't come cheap). Take care!!

Cindi said...

thanks for you comments here.. i might be a day or so late.. but you are right on.. thanks!! :)

RH Carpenter said...

Hey, Cindi, I'm enjoying your latest paintings :)