I write about living a wise life. There are no shortcuts. Folks tell me they cry when they read my newsletter or they read it at the dinner table to their family. Life is a skill and we can excel at it. What could be more important? Join thousands of readers and get weekly insights on living wisely.
EAL #23 - The Grapes of Sorrow
No. 23 - Friday, June 30 - 1 Minute Read |
The Grapes of SorrowHave you seen a vintner running from his grapes? A man running from his sorrows? The things you avoid are the sugar that will turn you into wine. The presence that you bring to them, the barrel within which they will age. What you believe is a thorn in your side, is a spigot waiting to be opened. Your heart lies near to the things that bother you. If you will find your way back, the path is blazed. You think the roads are dark, but you are just temporarily blinded by the blazing. It takes courage to meet your fears, the fruit lies inside the skin. No doubt you will turn your head away, but may you always aspire to return. One day you must crush the fruit so the air may kiss it, you must stand fluttering as the fear winds blow. You will tire of the fear, and when you do, you will find your sorrow. You will wonder how one field has yielded so much. When you press your sorrow, may you say, blessing, blessing. The sugar too, fears its change into wine. As you age, you will come to see the joy you know today is the sorrow you knew yesterday and the one you will know tomorrow. When you feel your own, you may feel that of another. When you see another, you may see yourself. You may set down your attempts to be different and rest. Then you may taste the wine. When you sip it, you will want to make more. You will know there is more work to do, yet you will also know peace. One day they will say of you, the grapes must have been rich to produce such a vintage, these troubles have aged well. Your troubles are your treasure, if only you can tap them. Do not pity yourself for the burden that you bear, the vintner is already drunk on the grapes he carries. Joseph Would you like an audio version?I'm thinking of adding an accompanying podcast and audio version of the newsletter. LMK if you're an audio person and I'll share the beta episodes with you. |
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Excellent at Life
Joseph Gerstel
I write about living a wise life. There are no shortcuts. Folks tell me they cry when they read my newsletter or they read it at the dinner table to their family. Life is a skill and we can excel at it. What could be more important? Join thousands of readers and get weekly insights on living wisely.
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