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Beauty in the Valleys: Unpacking Pain in the Puzzle

      I like pain, but I don't handle it very well. Yes, you did in fact read that correctly. Continuing with that thought-- it might be more appropriate to instead state that I appreciate pain.



     Our lives are a culmination of mountain top highs, and deep valley lows. There are times within the valley when it seems unfathomable to reach the mountaintop-- despite having perhaps been there many times before. The rain arrives quickly, leaving no room for preparation, and the storms that accompany take no mercy on the small pieces of dignity you thought remained. These storms take people and bring out the "ugly," yes; but I want you to stop and reframe this for a moment because those very same storms are so vital to the people we are, and continually becoming.
     We become a perception of "ugly" in the dark trials of our lives because pain is a difficult burden to carry. We fail to show others and yes-- even ourselves compassion when the world is crashing in, and instead-- we lash out to make up for the ways in which we are "falling short," when in reality-- it is called being human.

     The valleys of life are essential.

     The mountaintop picturesque view is stellar. This overarching, glorious view grants us the ability to zoom out and seek clarity in our lives, and perhaps the lives of those around us. The mountaintop peaks are generally peaceful and free of distraction-- allowing us to take necessary moments to reflect, breathe, and be present. However, the thing about the mountain is: How would we ever live life if we spent it only living on the mountaintop?

    The mountaintop is wonderful, yes-- but living in an artificial bubble, zoomed out from the rest of the world isn't a calling for any of us. We can try to remain there, but eventually-- we will need to come down. The valleys have moments of chaos, and places where it would be easier to quit, or live from a distance-- I understand, and feel the same way myself all too often. But when we look out from the mountaintop-- we look into the valley and appreciate its' beauty. What we forget in that process however is all the pressure and trials undergone within the valley to achieve its' beauty. No beautiful thing is perfect.

    The valley's pain is beauty. Our own beauty is often reflected in hidden tears, lies, or ugly words that are later remedied. Our beauty is messy, and often takes the form of unspoken pasts-- even in those of us who actively write and try so hard to stay in the present. Our valleys are zooming in on the mountain we have come to so love and appreciate, and it says that we are beautiful precisely because of our pain we try so desperately to erase.

    Take time to love the view from the mountaintop, but don't be afraid to be still in the valley, these are the close-ups to your longshot portrait, and a piece of your incredible story too.
   

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