There is something so incredibly brave about the way Rilke encourages us to face life head-on. When he speaks about the coexistence of beauty and terror, he is reminding us that life isn't a series of isolated good moments or bad moments, but a grand, swirling tapestry where both are necessary. To let everything happen to you means to stop resisting the ebb and flow of your emotions. It is an invitation to be fully present, even when the waves feel a bit too high or the wind feels a bit too cold. The most profound part of this wisdom is the promise that no feeling is final. It is a gentle reminder that the storm clouds will eventually part, and the sun will rise again, just as they always do.
In our everyday lives, we often spend so much energy trying to build walls against the 'terror' parts of our existence. We try to avoid sadness, fear, or disappointment as if they are permanent residents in our hearts. We hold our breath during the hard weeks, waiting for them to be over so we can finally start 'living.' But life is happening right now, in the middle of the struggle and the uncertainty. If we only allow the beauty to touch us, we end up living a very shallow version of existence. True depth comes from acknowledging the ache as well as the joy, knowing that both are passing travelers in our journey.
I remember a time when I felt like I was stuck in a season of permanent winter. I had faced a series of setbacks that felt so heavy I couldn't imagine ever feeling light again. I was so focused on the 'terror' of my situation that I couldn't see the tiny sprouts of hope around me. I was trying so hard to fix everything that I forgot to just keep going. It took me a long time to realize that the heaviness was just a season, not a destination. Slowly, the rhythm of life returned, and the beauty started to seep back into my days, much like the way a frozen pond thaws when spring finally arrives.
As you move through your week, I want to encourage you to stop fighting the difficult emotions. When a heavy feeling arrives, try to sit with it for a moment instead of running away. Remind yourself that this feeling is a visitor, not a permanent resident. Let the beauty wash over you when it arrives, and let the terror pass through you when it must. Just keep going, little duckling. Your heart is much stronger than you realize, and there is so much more beauty waiting just around the corner.