tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943366568013445284.post7039013607907513340..comments2024-02-09T06:15:27.088-08:00Comments on josh barkey: the kingdom of heaven is a spike in the back of my headJOSH BARKEYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02056229250824359708noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943366568013445284.post-79452921440859228712011-03-29T11:14:38.610-07:002011-03-29T11:14:38.610-07:00Thank you for writing this. I felt your pain. I al...Thank you for writing this. I felt your pain. I also felt the love in that kiss from your child rising to conquer and overcome your pain. I have no doubt that this post will find it’s way into the life of someone who is also struggling and maybe it will be the “kiss” that helps them overcome. Thanks for being brave enough to be truly honest and put all of yourself--good and bad—out there. Well done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943366568013445284.post-16346452614283589902011-03-27T06:51:27.827-07:002011-03-27T06:51:27.827-07:00Thank you, Anonymous, for your honesty and your co...Thank you, Anonymous, for your honesty and your compassion towards me. <br /><br />I had a conversation with one of my students a while back, and she was telling me all about one of her classmates, whom she hated. She told me why, and I thought, "yep... I can definitely see it." <br /><br />Then she asked me if there was anybody I hated, and after thinking about it, I realized... nope, no one. I do not hate anyone, and I don't think I ever have. I don't really know why this is, either, but I'll tell you what: I do see it as a gift. <br /><br />The longer I live and the more empathy I try to cultivate, the more I realize that, in the words of the Beatles, "I am you and you are me and we are we." <br /><br />Do you know what's worse than being in a painful situation like this? Being in a painful situation like this, and not realizing it. My life has always been a painful situation. It has. But now, faced with a painful situation I cannot pretend my way around, I am forced to chose: love, or hate. <br /><br />Love, I believe, is better. It's the only chance I have to "come together," and I am tired - so tired - of being alone. <br /><br />If I hated everyone who hurt me, eventually there would be no one left to love, because everybody hurts everybody (sometimes). <br /><br />I need love, so I'll take it where I can get it.JOSH BARKEYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02056229250824359708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943366568013445284.post-23249300062518234302011-03-27T05:47:35.164-07:002011-03-27T05:47:35.164-07:00This makes me very sad. For what it's worth, a...This makes me very sad. For what it's worth, and from what I know of your writing I think you are unlikely to agree with this, it is perfectly OK for a man to hate his son's step-dad. It is a normal part of being a dad to protect your child from everything, including paternal usurpers. <br /><br />This anonymous commenter disagrees with many of your points of view, but loves your general attitude of love and forgiveness towards the world and hates to see you in this painful situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943366568013445284.post-50457270309000661912011-03-24T11:54:06.037-07:002011-03-24T11:54:06.037-07:00CAC = crying at computer. Sending a hug from an...CAC = crying at computer. Sending a hug from an adult who loves you and loves that you are growing and maturing even as we look on. The word you are seeking is 'strengthens'.thisbrithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02153418888733588502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943366568013445284.post-32123820114289907502011-03-24T06:54:47.563-07:002011-03-24T06:54:47.563-07:00It may be, Anonymous, that you are right. Or at le...It may be, Anonymous, that you are right. Or at least, a little right. I find that peace comes not from trying to remove tension from seemingly opposed opposites, but rather in acknowledging the love that flows through it all, despite the tension. <br /><br />*Note: when I say things like that, I become suspicious that I am speaking gibberish :)JOSH BARKEYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02056229250824359708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943366568013445284.post-76520006048325835342011-03-23T20:39:51.208-07:002011-03-23T20:39:51.208-07:00Is it possible that clarity and grace are mutually...Is it possible that clarity and grace are mutually exclusive? That clarity only comes in the abscence of grace and vice versa? That humility is looking up at the face of an avalanche and not praying for a miracle but at the same time wanting nothing more than to live?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com