Dearness Only
gives everything its value...
Tis dearness only…
I think it would be good to talk about the beautiful Thomas Paine quote that inspired the title of this blog.
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death…”
Freaking genius. According to Wikipedia (the source of all knowledge and trivia) Thomas was a revolutionary ‘pamphleteer’ and was instrumental in America gaining its independence.
This quote absolutely captured me.
If I wasn’t so anti needle and scared of catching gonorrhea, hepatitis, syphillis, boccelism and rabies, I’d get this bad boy tattooed on my ass or my forehead or both.
Did I make it too easy for him to let me go? Did I make it too easy for him to have me in the first place? Did I allow myself to be obtained too cheaply? Did I allow myself to be esteemed too lightly? Is this a pattern in my life? Do I esteem myself too lightly? Ahh I dunno…
Tis dearness only that gives everything its value.
One day I hope I will be measured in someone’s eyes with a level of dearness that will melt and heal the mire of right now.
It’s such a beautiful turn of phrase, “tis dearness only”. I want to be someone’s dearness.
And although I can’t really imagine it now, it feels a bit like looking at a crack of light underneath a closed door.
In the meantime I want to smile in trouble and gather strength from distress and grow brave through reflection. Thomas Paine either broke up with the same guy I did, or led a country to independence. It’s pretty much the same thing really.
Either way, he gets it and I like his style.
I won’t shrink. I refuse to let this situation have more of me than it deserves. It’s blown a hole in my heart and soul, but it doesn’t get any more than that. Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm will prevail.
