There's release in knowing the truth no matter how anguishing it is. You come finally to the irreducible thing, and there's nothing left to do but pick it up and hold it. Then, at last, you can enter the severe mercy of acceptance.

Sue Monk Kidd
About This Quote

When we know the truth, there is no fighting with ourselves. The questions we ask ourselves are not meant to hurt us physically or emotionally, but to help us learn and grow. As we learn and grow, we release our anger and hurt at ourselves and others into this truth and move on. We come to the irreducible thing, and there's nothing left to do but pick it up and hold it.

It is precisely because this painful truth is so irreducible that it can be held. This is the mercy of acceptance.

Source: The Mermaid Chair

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