Bittersweet. The definition: Of pain and pleasure.
For how can we know pleasure without knowing what pain is? We can’t.
How we wish we could eliminate the pain…but it is impossible. We must accept it and it does make us stronger.
Anyway, last Sunday I went walking at Turtlehead Lake during an unseasonably warm day. I know these warm days wont last, so I always make a conscious effort to get out. As I pan the brown/gray landscape which seems to go on forever, a tint spec of warm reds jump out at me….it’s bittersweet. What a prize. Not to eat though, as bittersweet fruit is mildly toxic and should not be eaten. It is okay however for songbirds, squirrels, and rabbits…have at it.
Just a closer look at those lovely berries. The delight I feel when I unexpectantly find these amongst a dreary scene is breathtaking, even if it is a common occurence. I want to celebrate the insignificant. Maybe because I always feel insignificant in life? I don’t know. And do you know what? It’s okay to not know all the answers…I will leave those up to God.
I will take the pain to be able to feel the pleasure. I hope you will too.
Let's Paint Nature! 
I didn’t know about bittersweet, but many things are like that, aren’t they? I love your sketches.
Thank you so much…and yes many things are 😉
I did not like the pain I was in when I was in it, but years later, as I am now able to reflect and be introspective about the most painful events in my life (especially the romantic relationship ones), I can see the lessons about staying close to God, detaching from the outcome and eventually forgiving the people who were participants in the dramas, including myself. I realized that by figuring out what the pain was teaching me about God, myself and how Jesus invited me to live my life, I was able to avoid repeating the lessons same (however, I always get new ones) – but only after I figured out how I participated in the pain as much as anyone else did. Beause of my pain I have learned to depend on God and myself through spiritual maturity and I have learned to be grateful for those days when the sailing is smooth and the road not too bumpy. I’m not exempt from pain now, but now I know what to do when I’m in the crap pit. First I say “Crap! Not the pain lessons again!” and then I go to a quiet place – the woods or my rocking chair — and have a conversation with God about it in my journal. It always works. I feel less heavy and sometimes I even get answers about what I need to do to take care of myself or what action I need to take that is love-based, coming from my Higher Consciousness not my lower.
Very well said, Alanna. Yes, I too am getting stronger with this pain test. It is hurts but will be worth it. I am learning new things about myself and every day God teaches me something else. I am trusting Him. Thank you for sharing!
Lovely sketch and thought provoking words, thanks for sharing
Thank you Freddy!
Such light and airy images– beautiful, a pleasure to look at. I love seeing bright red berries in wintertime. They’re a much-needed reminder that we can find color, even when much of the landscape is drab. A sign of hope.
Your work is significant, and so are you. Merry Christmas, Christine. May its Good News touch your heart. : )
Thank you Mark, I hope your Christmas and New Years was filled with joy and good times! I agree about the warm colors in winter…I love when I find those 😀
Your encouragement is greatly appreciated and means so much to me!