Beauty, Wisdom, Happiness, Shadow

Wisdom is never gained without trials and challenges. The purpose of this lifetime is to grow, and growth does not take place without tests and difficulty. If you want to achieve lasting happiness you must be willing to go through the process of embracing the shadow aspects of your being. Most people only want to see the beauty in everything: in the world, in people, and in themselves. This is a wonderful attitude when looking at others; however, if you only choose to acknowledge the beautiful aspects of your own character while ignoring the shadow aspects of your life, you will never grow. Growth means to look clearly at your weaknesses and strive to overcome them. Otherwise you will have to continue to take birth until you have taken the opportunity to learn the lessons you are still here to learn. Once you are able to accept the shadow parts of yourself and acknowledge the dark aspects of the world, then the beauty you experience will be so much more enchanting. Allow yourself to fully experience the so-called negative aspects of life so that your joy in experiencing true beauty will unlimited, as it will be coming from wisdom and not from innocent ignorance.