Everyone,
I am sure,
at some point
on planet Earth
will be there---
in that place and time When Everything Hurts.
When lights hurt the eyes.
When clear blue skies and lush green fields go unnoticed;
the world turns to shades of black and gray.
When laughter and energy are replaced
by overwhelming, relentless fatigue.
When long-held dreams and goals suddenly appear meaningless,
and you are tempted to let them die.
When the future looks empty and situations seem hopeless.
When the body and mind desire little more than sleep.
When joy no longer seems possible in such a broken, fallen world---
in that place and time When Everything Hurts.
People say well-meaning yet unhelpful platitudes, such as:
"Just take one day at a time," or
"Time heals all wounds."
Yet surviving one more pain-filled day-at-a-time gives you no comfort,
and you know by personal experience that time does not necessarily heal all wounds,
just numbs them to the point of being able to cope.
But because you don't know what else to do,
you repeat it to yourself and try to make yourself believe that time does heal all wounds.
And in the meantime, as you wait for that day to arrive
When Everything Doesn't Hurt Anymore,
what do you do?
A real question. Awaiting real answers.
What do YOU do?
Do you keep going through the mundane routine of life?
Go to work, clean the toilet, do the laundry, try to pay the bills on time?
Do you seek some way, any way, to numb the pain---one more pill than prescribed, a little more alcohol than necessary, an implosion of all your most self-defeating thoughts?
Do you quietly try to back away from life---skip out on invitations from friends, slack up on your hobbies, finally let your dreams go, quit even attempting that goal you've attempted for so long, disappear under the covers for days and doubt that anyone will notice?
Or do you try to hold on to whatever piece of life you can, even if it is with only one hand, like fingers barely hanging onto the end of a rope---do you still try to read your nightly chapter before bed, take notice of the stars, wear your favorite outfit, keep pushing towards your deepest dream although you no longer even know why you should?
You have been there.
Everyone,
I am sure,
at some point
on planet Earth
will be there---
in that place and time When Everything Hurts?
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