Weekword: Catharsis

It's been a long while since I've taken part in Weekword. I received a note from my good friend, John, that I might want to consider this week's word. Taking a peek at a cool new-to-me blog, The Gift Shed, I laughed when I saw her great word, Catharsis. Oh how fitting, no? Like the final touch on a gift.

Webster's defines Catharsis as "a release of emotional tension after an overwhelming experience that restores the spirit...a means of bringing forth repressed feelings and fears to consciousness."

In the past when faced with dips (or downright potholes) on my journey, I tended towards the 'why me?'. Sometimes adding head in hands or head on desk or with complete wide-eyed shock (I should have been a drama major). Faced with my Mama's illness was somehow the same...yet different. I know I've written of all the lessons learned along the way, the good and bad. But this time I was somehow detached in such a way that allowed me to see, really see. It was as if major fears surfaced where, in the sunlight, I could see that I was strong enough to conquer each or at the least learn to use it to my benefit. A sort of spiritual and emotional spring cleaning. Turns out I am stronger than I thought.

With one illness I learned the importance of human connection, the power of love and prayer, that there is a (very) thin veil to the other side, that when you fall all you have to do is get up (no matter how painful). My Mama is out of the hospital again...hopefully for good. But I'm learning that even if not, I need to take my cues from nature, go with the ebbs and flows instead of taking the hits like a breakwater. Because that is where I can learn a new type of selfishness that instead of asking 'why me' (and no matter how hard) asks 'what can I gain from this'. Because that is where the true reward is. It is looking from pain towards love; from darkness towards light; looking up instead of closing my eyes.

Quite cathartic, no?

 She's home from the hospital
On the deck she caught sight of a small plane and a hawk
It was the pure delight in her eyes that caught my attention


Thanks John for bringing this word to my attention
Visit The Gift Shed for others' take on the word