Life’s poignancies are what make it so crashingly beautiful.
On my drive home from work tonight I was thinking about the twists and turns of
life. Every day we are faced with the split second decisions. Some of our
experiences call forth the best in us, others the worst. My week has held a bit
of each.

We often do not know how we will react. In an encounter with
a teammate this week, I found myself suddenly immersed in a crucial conversation
that did not go well. The situation seemed so blown out of proportion to the
circumstance (a clue that something was triggered from the dregs). I am still
sorting through the dynamics of the changing landscape of our relationship to
better understand its meaning. What holds true … is that there are so many
different endings to this one sentence; to the story of how our affinity might
unfold.

How we respond in the moment can be affected by the
perceived pressures we experience especially if we feel pushed to the hilt. Today
a colleague stopped by looking for the support of her supervisor. She shared
part of her dilemma related to a patient care situation. I tracked down her
supervisor but just as she turned to leave, I inquired further. Next, moment we were
calling this distraught family member together and offering the support that
was needed. The moment shimmered golden.

The phenomenal PBS series, “Call the Midwife” is based on
the memoirs of the late Jennifer Worth and takes place in 1950’s, England. The
most recent episode tells the story of a young couple who are struggling to accept
and bond with their newborn son who suffers with spinal bifida. They came
close to placing him in an institutionalized setting. Yet, love shone
triumphant in the smoldering ambivalence of their lives. In that final moment,
in a split second decision, they mustered the courage to say yes to life despite
its brokenness. I was so moved by their ability to rise above the conflict and to eventualy find the courage that helped them come to terms with their personal dilemma.  

I think this is where Beauty lies, in the complexities of
life when in our brokenness we respond with the courage to say yes to  love on
its terms. Each of us is confronted by the struggles and poignancy of daily
life. A moment can define us; call upon us to be our better selves. Sometimes
we lapse and miss the opportunity to reflect Love’s radiance. Other times we
meet the challenge spot on, whether to face our fear , or  lean into pain and sorrow  as we affirm our essence; our hope.

Just think how bland and one dimensional life would be if all was
sugary sweet. Instead, life offers us the chance to discover Beauty in the most
unexpected places.

~liz Sorensen Wessel

mandala by ~liz