Brighter Later

Do not hold on to unnecessary burdens

You were made to climb the mountain
not to carry it.

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In times of struggle, we so often wonder what all of this is for - or whether life itself has any meaning at all.

And in fact, the same could be said for times of joy too - when maybe our dream comes true, but doesn’t quite fulfil us . . . or when the things we have spent so long wishing for, still leave us feeling strangely empty inside.

But perhaps all of this is a sign that our sense of meaning in this life cannot come from action or achievement. Rather, it must come from intention.

_

Generally, every period of struggle comes to an end at some point. And things really do have a curious way of working out well eventually. (Hence those famous words uttered by Julian of Norwich when she was in the grips of a life threatening illness: “All shall be well, all shall be well. And all manner of things, shall be well”.)

But still, it’s worth wondering - what if it doesn’t?

What if the pain is permanent?

And what if the struggle really is everlasting - like Sisyphus rolling his stone up the mountainside?

Would that make our life any less meaningful?

Of course not.

It just means that we must find that intrinsic sense of meaning within ourselves instead.

The kind that is no longer dependant on external factors.

_

In other words, when we can carry ourselves with dignity - and act with integrity - and hold on to hope, even when our life is giving us all possible evidence to fall into despair . . . then, there is no real need for some greater “meaning” or “reason” to be revealed to us.

By embodying the kind of courage that even the angels themselves would admire - our life is meaningful by its very nature.

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All artwork featured in this newsletter is my own.

For more info about drawings, commissioning work, or purchasing any of my books - please visit www.georgebothamley.co.uk