Mysterious Paradoxes

 Live by Grace, not Perfection

That’s what is written on the sign I chose to take from my friend Janet’s home after she died. It speaks to me, to my all-or-nothing tendencies. Perfection is like a square; even on all sides, sharp corners, unyielding. Grace is more like my favorite symbol, a Yin/Yang. It’s round and contains an equal amount of darkness and light. Without pain, would I know what peace is? Without sadness and regret, would I know happiness and forgiveness? One without the other gives me no understanding, no hope, no perspective. 

I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hurt those whom I love most tenderly. I revisit regret, but I live in Hope. I ask for forgiveness, and must then leave it alone if there is nothing further I can do. Where there is darkness, light is on the other side. I trust that the Creator of All will answer all pleas for light. I pray that those I’ve hurt release the hold anger has over them, so that they are able to see that the Sunlight is always there, even in the darkest of nights, just waiting to make its appearance.

And so it is, and so I let it be. ☯️

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