Quotations and metaphores

Today Jess reminded me of a quotation I really love.

"When a lot of things start going wrong all at once, it is to protect something big and lovely that is trying to get itself born - and that this something needs for you to be distracted so that it can be born as perfectly as possible." (Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies)

I heard that thought echoed later this evening by a friend who said something like the following. It is out of darkness that we are born. It's the really hard stuff that creates growth. Compost is where seeds take root. It's that disgusting shit that feeds newness.

Another friend told us a little more about compost. She reminded us that at first it's hot and active and not ready to be used. It has to sit. Brew. Brood. Decompose a bit. Change a lot. Time has to pass. Then it becomes rich and fertile and is just the thing.

But we can't use it before it's ready. We have to be patient.