We would like to live our lives in the short form, the Reader's Digest version. We would like to begin our lives in success, cling to that success,and then experience the joy of resurrection. It does not work that way. Every major step of our journey calls for dying to the last step, indeed often suffering and dying to the last step. We are weaned in pain from the nipple, give up in regret the child's freedom from responsibility, hate leaving the relaxation of the college campus, regret losing the flexibility of our joints, weep over the dimming of our eyes.
Life moves from sorrow to sorrow.
Unless we die easily. Unless we forget the nipple and rejoice in solid food. Unless we forget freedom and rejoice in responsibility. Unless we allow our bodies to age, and welcome wisdom. Unless we are willing to die.