PADDY RYAN

When your strength is done, just keep going on

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Beauty and Joy from Sorrow

Sun Mar 8, 2009 5:09 PM EDT

joy, poetry, sorrow, pathos

By Paddy Ryan

Photo by Christina Snyder. (License: Creative Commons Attribution)

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"There is a joy that lies where pearls lie, deep, too deep for those who have no heart to weep" (I. Y. Ewan).

I enjoy so much the beauty that is born from sorrow. Have you ever listened to Phil Coulter's Shores of the Swilly? (hear it on YouTube) It is hauntingly beautiful, especially when you hear it in Sinéad's lovely voice. "By the shores of the Swilly, with an aching inside, I'll watch as her body is raised from the tide ... Her life has been taken, and I'll never know why, But I feel in that moment, a part of me died." Coulter says: "... the Swilly also claimed the life of my young sister Cyd. It's taken me 15 years to be able to try and address her loss through a song, which turned out to be The Shores of the Swilly. It was quite a healing experience."

What about Emma Wheeler's lovely verse, Solitude: "Laugh, and the world laughs with you, weep, and you weep alone ... There is room in the halls of pleasure for a vast and lordly train, but one by one we must all file on, through the narrow aisles of pain". It was also born from a feeling of depression and sadness.

Examples, classical and contemporaneous, could be multiplied, but I'll keep this article short.

Healing

Not only do I enjoy the beauty that sorrow has produced in others, but it is amazing to experience the "healing", as Coulter says, which can result from writing about sorrow. I've tried a few times. There's a poem entitled "Sorry", here on the Vine, which was written in tears. Sometimes I'll be lonely or frustrated, and imagine that my sorrow is greater than I can bear. Then I'll write things like this: "In a cold, deliberate act, I killed a dream last night. I stabbed it's kind and gentle heart, surprised it didn't fight, Then sat and watched it slowly slipping out of sight. Today I stand alone, a victor's crown upon my head, But slowly realise that I'm the one who's dead. I tremble in despair — what lies ahead? What pain is still to come? What tears must still be shed?" (23/12/04)

Masochist?

No, I'm not a masochist. But a world without sorrow would be like a sea without storms.

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Public Discussion (26)

Paddy Ryan

Anyone care to give examples of beauty (or joy) springing from sadness?

Cheers.

7 votes

#1 - Sun Mar 8, 2009 5:15 PM EDT

lauhal

As I read your article, listened to the music, and read the poetry, I debated whether the feeling is really joy. Part of me say so, that it's the relief when sorrow leaves. Is joy what we feel when we realize the healing has begun? Is there much defference between relief and joy? I'm not sure.

Another thought-provoking article, Paddy. And here I though I was just popping in to Newsvine to escape cleaning the kitched cupboards!

9 votes

#2 - Sun Mar 8, 2009 5:49 PM EDT

Paddy Ryan

I debated whether the feeling is really joy.

Lauhal, I think I know what you mean. Listening to "The Shores of the Swilly" isn't a joyful experience for me -- but it is powerful, moving, and it seems to "wash my spirit clean" (to borrow another's words). "Joy" isn't the right word for that -- "beauty" is better. But when sorrow moves us to pour out our soul in poetry, or song, or simply tears, then we find that kind of joy that lies where pearls lie.

I'm actually going to rename my article: not simply "Joy from Sorrow", but "Beauty and Joy from Sorrow". Thanks for your help.

7 votes

#2.1 - Sun Mar 8, 2009 8:14 PM EDT

lauhal

Funny, I wasn't looking to help. I was just trying to decide for myself if I felt joy from sorrow.

But when sorrow moves us to pour out our soul in poetry, or song, or simply tears, then we find that kind of joy that lies where pearls lie.

This really summarizes it for me. Totally get that. :)

7 votes

#2.2 - Sun Mar 8, 2009 9:31 PM EDT

Hekofawoman

For me it is where the birth of "empathy" lies.............and that is where life begins!

5 votes

#2.3 - Mon Mar 9, 2009 1:25 AM EDT

Paddy Ryan

Funny, I wasn't looking to help.

Lauhal, that makes it all the more worthy :-)

For me it is where the birth of "empathy" lies.............and that is where life begins!

Hek, not sure if I got you right (English is my second language). Do you mean that empathy is born when we see the beauty in our own sorrow?

Cheers.

5 votes

#2.4 - Mon Mar 9, 2009 7:40 AM EDT

Hekofawoman

Paddy, yes - that is what I meant in trying to sound "wise"...lol, sometimes I'm a little arse backwards...but you got it!!!

3 votes

#2.5 - Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:36 AM EDT

Paddy Ryan

All I can say is, you're one heck of a woman :-)

Cheers.

3 votes

#2.6 - Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:40 AM EDT

Hekofawoman

It definetly isn't something I learned from reading but from my own experiences....my heart is huge, but it was very hidden....way up under the sleeve, not so much on it. As the time went by I learned that I was not so alone in my own pain and it wasn't till I realized this about people that I allowed my heart to cry as well for others, become whole, healed and outwardly loving, forgiving, kind and well.....a whole person...that is "Empathy". And now I live!

3 votes

#2.7 - Sat Mar 14, 2009 11:44 AM EDT

Paddy Ryan

Thanks for sharing that, and cheers.

2 votes

#2.8 - Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:02 PM EDT

GaryO

I was going to give an example but I don't have all the facts and have no immediate contact with one that does. Will have to wait until I can get the info then I'll be back.

4 votes

#3 - Sun Mar 8, 2009 6:24 PM EDT

Paddy Ryan

Gary, take your time. True beauty ages well :-)

Cheers, and looking forward to hearing from you when you can.

4 votes

#3.1 - Sun Mar 8, 2009 8:27 PM EDT

azsky13

I am currently in a writing class that has caused me to re-visit old sorrows. I have already written of many and am not anxious to return to that place, but they are there nonetheless and I know I must.

I don't know that it is relief or joy. When I write it is more of a release, like a burden unloosed. I call them my purges. But I guess there is relief in that, I don't know. But in reading this, I know I must begin my descent inside.

Thank you.

5 votes

#4 - Sun Mar 8, 2009 9:22 PM EDT

Paddy Ryan

Azsky, descending, in this context, is a sure way to rise above your sorrows. I wish you sucess in this endeavour.

Cheers.

6 votes

#4.1 - Mon Mar 9, 2009 7:46 AM EDT

LifeTravler

Yes, there can be beauty born from sorrow. It may be difficult for some people to see, but it can be attained. Right now I feel as if I could write volumes on that subject, but then, I would probably just be rambling.

As it is now, I'm seeing many small movies in my mind concering life experiences and the joy that has accompanied many of my sorrows. The emotions the movies are evoking are intense.

5 votes

#5 - Fri Mar 13, 2009 3:54 AM EDT

Paddy Ryan

The emotions the movies are evoking are intense.

LifeTravler, thanks for stopping by. The intensity of emotions that pain and sorrow produce can be the fuel for depression and bitterness, or for liberating happiness. I suppose it depends on how we react!

Cheers.

6 votes

#5.1 - Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:11 AM EDT

LifeTravler

I have had my share of depression and bitterness, but reflection and life experience has taught me that we can choose to rise about those things. It is liberating to live and learn.

5 votes

#5.2 - Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:33 AM EDT

Paddy Ryan

Agreed 100% :-)

Cheers.

2 votes

#5.3 - Sat Mar 14, 2009 10:55 AM EDT

StarSmiles

Shores of the Swilly ,

A musical waltze into the tranquil halls of life's final walk into the open shores past heavens welcome gate . as I know , we know living is a next breath away from this one.

OR.

Reality slowly dancing holding hands in loved ones past knowing memory and tranquility is the only way to touch them with your heart .

Thanks for sharing the post and music I could listen to music and verse all day ,but life precedes my leisure activities ,things that can make you feel happy and sad at the same time are an angels way of giving them a helping hand .But of course one must believe in angels ,do you ?

3 votes

#6 - Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:15 PM EDT

Paddy Ryan

StarSmiles,

I believe in God, in the Lord Jesus Christ, and in angels. And I believe that stars smile :-)

Cheers.

5 votes

#6.1 - Sun Mar 15, 2009 1:04 PM EDT

StarSmiles

Cheers back to ya Paddy Ryan

3 votes

#6.2 - Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:41 PM EDT

Nance

Paddy,

As you know, I was blessed to share the last 4 days of my mother's life with her. Those 4 days were by far the most spiritual and supernatural days of my life to date. When Jesus came for my mom early that morning, He requested we pray for Mom "out loud", as He likes that. I obeyed, and was immediately blessed. Call me crazy, but Jesus shared with me a very small portion of what He felt and still feels for us. So much love ... so much sorrow ...

After Mom's passing, I developed an enlarged heart ... it was HUGE! Deep down to my very core...every ounce of my being was filled with extreme love and joy, together with extreme grief and sorrow. What a strange, but glorious sensation that was. And, by His stripes we ARE healed!

Thank you for bringing back that beautiful feeling, Paddy. Thank you.

4 votes

#6.3 - Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:34 PM EDT

Paddy Ryan

Nance, thank YOU! Thanks for sahring your "strange, but glorious sensation".

Your friend, Paddy.

2 votes

#6.4 - Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:25 PM EDT

Nance

Yes...I've really missed you, my friend!

Nance

#6.5 - Thu Apr 15, 2010 9:26 PM EDT

Nic-24

There is much beauty that can be found in sorrow. I have always been drawn to things that are a bit sad, there is an authenticity in them that many people miss. I believe that we must sometimes experience great pain in order to find great joy. My life has been a cycle of pain and joy. Sorrow is one of the purest emotions and the hardest to not push away from. If for a moment we can witness our own pain, we can see the beauty that lies within it.

5 votes

#7 - Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:38 PM EDT

Paddy Ryan

Nic, thanks. I liked how you use the word "authenticity" in this context.

Sorrow helps to make us compassionate and caring.

Cheers.

7 votes

#7.1 - Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:07 PM EDT

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