"If we are strong enough to be weak enough, we are given a wound that never heals. It is the gift that keeps the heart open."

"We are afraid of pain--emotional and physical--and we want to believe that there is a way around experiencing our own sorrow, that we can avoid the pain and lose nothing of the fullness and joy of living. Its simply not true."

"But I do breathe, allowing the sorrows of the world to break my heart over and over, letting the joys make it whole again. Knowing how to do this, finding the courage to take another breath and not close my heart to myself or the world where there is pain, is what I seek to learn--how to love well."

This is out of the book "THE INVITATION" by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. I recommend it highly. The poem that inspired the book is very beautiful as well. Do you remember Alffe? You posted it for me way back there.

I believe, Alffe, that that is what you have done, and are doing. It is very beautiful. And the rest of us are working at it.