I was recently reading Wild Geese, from Mary Oliver and I thought that the passage “Tell me about despair” had a lot in common with another thing I’m reading: “Bird by bird”.
In the book, the author shares how it’s useful to talk about our darkness, because that darkness is interesting; that is what differentiates us from the rest.
Sharing those stories, also, is a way to let other people talk about that same despair, just like in the Wild Geese poem.
It’s difficult, though. Sharing our darkest moments, the worries, and the fears. We’re constantly battling with the concept that we should show a perfect image of ourselves, protect that image so that others won’t reject us, and hide reality from plain sight because, afterall, we’re not sure if society will accept us.
Or, maybe, we fear that darkness will be too difficult to handle.
I don’t think so. I think sharing that despair is a path to creating new connections and making our relationships stronger.
Of course, timing is everything. You can’t just walk up to someone and talk about it. You need the right moment, but once you find it, it’s worth it.
Come on, give me the chills 