Nothing is Wasted

My mom recently passed a book on to me that a coworker gave her during a big transition in her career, it is called What I Wish For You: Simple Wisdom For a Happy Life by Patti Digh.  Originally seeking advice for her daughter upon high school graduation, Patti turned to readers of her blog asking them to send in anything that would help.  What she received was a vast collection of warming and inspiring stories, short notes, and art with advice for people going through, well…life.   This book is much more than guidance for a teenager entering the real world; in fact it is probably better appreciated by adults who know these lessons to be true. 

This is one of the entries that I read this weekend and enjoyed so much I wanted to share… 

Nothing is Wasted

-contributed by Erika Harris

Because you are a lover and an artist, you will have occasion (many, actually) to open your chest, pull out a ruby, offer it to The World (or someone in The World)…and it will be received with as much enthusiasm as a piece of gum.

Chewed, slathered upon, and spat.

Out.

This happens to ruby-hearted people who are responsible for bringing through every shade of red in the spectrum, from the gentlest pink to the baddest-assed Bordeaux.  This is no small role to play—carrying around rubies in your heart—and offering the spectrum of red, the tastes of strawberries and mesquite, the squealing sounds of pain and delight, the heat of hugs and blazes.  We, heart-bearers of red rubies, love and create like no one’s business because, for us, it ain’t business.  It’s beingness.

And on those days when your beingness feels

chewed, slathered upon, and spat.

Out.

KNOW—know—know that nothing is wasted.

Everything is useful for the deepening of your pigment, the deliciousizing of your flavor, the longevity of your flames.  It’s all good.  Assuredly.  Good.  All of it.