Holding Joy and Sadness Side by Side

Many of us who have intentionally embarked upon a path of personal growth have encountered the concept of “rising above”; i.e., of not allowing ourselves to be dragged down by the negativity around us.

As attractive as that may sound—and believe you me I’ve wished it to be feasible in my own life—I don’t believe this is a human way of being. As much as I might like to elevate my own self-image, the true honor and a privilege lies in being fallible so that I can learn and grow.

For me, being human involves holding the truth of pain and sadness alongside my inspired pursuits, experiencing the reality of both without fear of being taken under by the darker aspects of life.

Now, I have indeed experienced periods of deep darkness in my life. For folks like me, it’s perhaps especially important that we highlight inspiration in our lives. Which does not invalidate or erase our pain but helps us to see and feel our purpose in the world.

How about you? How do you navigate painful situations in a way that allows you to continue forward in an inspired way in your life?