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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
my superstition about the solitude has been confirmed. Let there be alienation.
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I’m not entirely sure where to begin, especially when it comes to Rilke’s expression through letters and poetry. I stumbled upon this tiny book in a time of need, when no quantity or quality of media could make me feel grounded or certain of my place in life. I often found myself stuck in a loop of what’s and why’s, searching for meaning in both everlasting pain and powerful yet fleeting joy.
However, by dissecting these letters line by line, sometimes even word by word, I found a part of myself that had been missing for quite some time. Rilke spoke in melodies of love, discomfort, difficulties, doubt, joy, peace, and, most importantly, of self. We so easily lose sight of ourselves in every possible way, but in stillness, if we are brave enough to face it, we can become whole once again.
A recurring theme I found most useful was solitude. As human beings, we crave connection. Community and partnership are often idealized as the ultimate markers of a life well lived. Because of this, we tend to overlook or run away from the difficulties of loneliness. Rather than facing the reality of who we are at our core, we resist every mirror. We distract ourselves, live in denial, or stay shallow in order to preserve a simplistic way of life.
But what is happiness without suffering, love without loss, or meaning without void. We try our best to eliminate struggles, yet we complain when life becomes dull and grey. To Rilke, this is a common mistake. When we finally learn to sit with ourselves, to open up to all possibilities and emotions, we can only then begin to truly understand who we are. It is through this process, and the person we become because of it, that we discover the art of living and creating.
All that being said, what a wonderfully crafted and inspirational book that I’ll surely cherish for a lifetime.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
inspiring
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Thanks DC. Lots of great advice here, especially around being comfortable and accepting of the things that bother us in our youth. I think I’ll revisit this one often, and think of you.