April 20: Deeply Shadowed

There are deeply shadowed parts of my past

that remain hidden much of the time, except

now and then when I find I must look at them

to understand the painful patterns of my life,

the recurring downward spirals I experience.

It is perhaps the hardest work in the world and 

it makes things worse before they get better,

but it is the place where transformation begins.

Traversing the valley of the shadow is one part

of the journey toward the overflowing cup of life.

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