The love of paradox

Water can be a paradox like many things in life. It can cleanse the body, cleanse the mind, cleanse even the soul. Water can also be destructive when it turns to floods and washes away homes. Water quenches our parched thirst, but it can also drown us. Living with paradox like living with disapproval, and conflict, suspending judgement and uncertainty all have to do with paradox. Despite our best efforts, our most educated hunches, and our most cautious ruminations, we still have to live with some element of risk in our lives.
Sometimes this requires that we must be willing to face danger, take educated risks, and face disapproval. People--even our families are not going to agree with us--yet we should not let that be a reason to stop us.
In the past, I have allowed it to stop me from facing my future with courage. I now know that what I did was cowardly, and I was unloving toard myself. The biggest sin we can ever commit, in my opinion, is to not stand up for ourselves no matter whether we are sure of what the outcome is going to be or not.
Many times I have paid the price of sticking to my beliefs and values. It has been uncomfortable and sometimes almost unbearable. But it has taught me a lot about wisdom and most importantly it has taught me that I matter and so do you. In this great Universe, we all are special and we are all part of the tapestry of life.
So even though things may not make sense sometimes, and people may not understand you, continue to follow your heart. Learning to love paradox and the unknown is a sign of real wisdom. I love this quote by Rumi:
"Anyone who knows me, should learn to know me again;
For I am like the Moon, you will see me with a new face everyday."
Peace