The lesson we can be learn by studying the format that a story should be written in is incredible! Beginning, middle, end; conflict, climax, resolution. Any story without these is boring and unattractive. I've found that the best way to watch a movie is to be absorbed by the emotions included in it, no matter how unbelievable and cheesy it may be. Remember the irritation you felt at the lady right behind you in the theater that cried the whole movie through? That woman is very wise. She knows that while she is sharing in the pain that the citizens of the cinematic realm feel, that is exactly what makes the ending so beautiful.
I think we tend to forget that. I have a relative who once made some remarks about judgment in the afterlife. I'm not entirely sure if he was serious or not, but he said that he imagined Judgment to be like going to a theater and watching a 'movie' of that person's life. If they repented, then the parts where their sins were committed would be edited or censored. I believe those parts will be left in. Not only because watching them repent would be very boring if we never saw a reason to repent, but because it makes the triumph more beautiful.
It is like a diamond against a sea of black, or a single candle during a starless night. It is like the calluses that show a hard worker's true colors.
This truth is shown throughout many branches of learning. In forging, a sword that is broken is irreparable. It must be reforged into an entirely new sword. In construction, if your foundation is faulty, you will have to knock down what you have already built and change the foundation in order to make a stable building. In bodybuilding, a muscle goes through the process of being broken down and then built up, stronger than before. It is shown entirely too often to pass off as a coincidence. This must be truth.
The opposite is true. What goes up must come down, at least until we pass through the fires of the atmosphere. (Or if you're a cow traveling up the stairs. Apparently they refuse to come back down....) The notion that we can avoid all hurt and pain is laughable, ridiculous even.
If you have read this far, I can bet that you are going through some kind of struggle. Chin up. Pain will, it must come. The trick is embracing it, and gleaning some repairs to your foundation from it. If you are afraid of this process, know this. The further up you go, the easier it is to fly.
Forgive my incoherent babbling. Just had to get that off my chest.
Night all!
~ Alex
