The Beautiful Sadness of Longing
There is a beautiful kind of sadness -- one most people think they shouldn't feel -- that needs to be celebrated. Or, if not celebrated, then at least welcomed like the evening's last beggar at your door.
This sadness is divine, the experience of what most people consider to be an absence, but in reality is the presence of the primal longing for the Beloved.
It would be easy to conclude that this feeling is a disconnection from joy, an unfortunate amnesia that would make an easy target for well-meaning givers of advice to quote from their favorite scripture.
But I am not talking about this garden variety form of sadness.
I am talking about another kind -- a holy melancholy that sculpts, deepens, and refines from within.
Like the dusk that follows day, it is not devoid of light, but only a another shade of light.
Yes, it is darker. But so what? Isn't it the darkness that allows the stars to shine?
When a human being is in the presence of their Beloved, it is easy to feel joy. Like leaving home in the middle of a storm, it is easy to get wet there.
But when the Beloved departs (ah, the paradox, the late night debates -- does the Beloved ever depart?), an uncomfortable feeling arises.
The moon is full, but you are empty -- thirsty for something to fill you again, but the only thing left to drink is a bucket of tears and you cannot find the handle.
Off in the distance you hear the sound of cello. Is it sad or beautiful?
Drawn by the music of this sweet sadness, you follow, feeling your way, singing silent songs of praise and wondering if what you hear is the sound of your own voice or your name being called.
You know, and have always known, that the Beloved has left the world behind as a gift. But you do not want the gift. You want the Giver.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at August 10, 2010 03:29 AM
Comments
You just described perfectly how I feel.The sweet sweet pain of longing.
Posted by: Srima ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.ideachampions.com/heart/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 10, 2010 05:31 AM
I am finding that finding your blog is sweet.
It will be sweet to find it on my email as well.
Thank you.
I do know how to get to that well of joy inside and am lucky that it bubbles up through me even when I neglect to go visit it. Inspiration is good.
I think I must have gotten the link to this from CW in Lansing - but I almost forget because I've just been happily lost in this blog for -- I don't know how long. Sweet.
Thanks again, Martha in Michigan
Posted by: Martha Cristy-Couch at September 4, 2010 08:42 PM
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