Certainly sorrow is real, and struggle happens.  I am not arguing that.  But feeding the suffering and unending suffering can be a choice.  We all know someone with horrific life challenges that still somehow can smile and set the table with food, get up in the morning and move through the new day.

“What do sad people have in common?  It seems they have all built a shrine to the past and often go there and do a strange wail and worship.  What is the beginning of happiness?  It is to stop being so religious like that.”  Hafiz

It is amazing, upon investigation, what hidden beliefs can run my life.  Like “poverty is spiritual and being rich is rude.”  Hmmm, that’s NOT what the message of St. Francis really was.  And believing like I should sacrifice everything for others and forget about myself.  If my bowl is not running over with my open heart to the Divine, there is nothing to pour out to others.

I no longer go to the wailing wall of pounding my chest in guilt.  I’ve given it up for Lent.  Forever.