'Speak to us of love..'

"Then said Almitra, Speak to us of Love,
And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said:

When love beacons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden." from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran.

This passage goes on to caution the reader, "But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,"

I'm particularly drawn to this passage today. Love is not easy. Most times it is not peaceful; for someone to say it is always pleasurable, well, I wouldn't trust that person - for they have not truly been in love at all.

All that aside however, I would not trade in one moment, one second of this past year for anything. If what I have is love, let me be wise enough to know it. Let me continue on to experience all that it has to offer every minute of every day.