sorrow and joy

"Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place." - rumi

I have some new cracks in my being, but I am not broken. the sunshine of my heart can shine ‎out more brightly into my world through those open spaces. 

that is my wish and my vow.

follow up to a conversation I had

I think you are both right (of course. I am always trying to see the middle way). 

first seek wisdom. take every action you can to make the given situation more manageable and less anxious. gather information, prepare, practice‎, think of alternate approaches and who/what can be a support system.

after all that, it may still be scary or intimidating or seem impossible to do. that is when one must just step forward, through the fear. really feel it and then let it go. remind yourself, "I got this".

and always keep building up your life force. never neglect that -- from good diet and adequate rest to play with loved ones and living with compassion, seeing the potential in each one and how you might help each one take a baby step forward. 

soon you might find yourself striding forward in confidence and love. 

anyway, that's my take on it. 

not meant as a sermon or judgment to anyone. I think this is what I need to hear today.