Sometimes the only way forward is is through the side door of a well-told story. Here are the books that have helped me endure dark nights of the soul, and an editable spreadsheet to add your own.
I don’t have a book recommendation, but I do have my favorite Tolkien quote that often gives me comfort:
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
Wow, I need to come back and sit with that poem when I’m not in work-day mode! I’m thinking of making a follow-up post of poems I’ve found healing, or used in coaching sessions/programs with clients. I might add that one!
It’s great! Most basically because I think hanging out with a dog or cat is one of the best ways to navigate dark times. Also, that post sounds interesting.
I love this list! Here are some of my suggestions:
From Nothing, by Anya Krugovoy Silver (poems about faith, doubt, and metastatic breast cancer written with honesty, anger, and hope)
Broken, by Jenny Lawson (humorous biographical writing about her struggles with treatment resistant depression. I found it helpful in much the same way as Hyperbole and a Half)
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout (short stories linked by a character who shows empathy and humanity in small, unusual ways)
I don’t have a book recommendation, but I do have my favorite Tolkien quote that often gives me comfort:
There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
I am so happy to see Rilke and Wind in the Willows on this list! I’m re-reading “Beginning to Pray” right now and finding it very centering.
I added Beginning to Pray + your comment to the spreadsheet :)
Also, this poem: https://poets.org/poem/wild-gratitude
Wow, I need to come back and sit with that poem when I’m not in work-day mode! I’m thinking of making a follow-up post of poems I’ve found healing, or used in coaching sessions/programs with clients. I might add that one!
It’s great! Most basically because I think hanging out with a dog or cat is one of the best ways to navigate dark times. Also, that post sounds interesting.
Oh, and you know who NOT to read? Sylvia Plath. One of my not so brainy ideas.
I almost mentioned that in my post (that I've made the same mistake 😆). Poor Sylvia.
I love this list! Here are some of my suggestions:
From Nothing, by Anya Krugovoy Silver (poems about faith, doubt, and metastatic breast cancer written with honesty, anger, and hope)
Broken, by Jenny Lawson (humorous biographical writing about her struggles with treatment resistant depression. I found it helpful in much the same way as Hyperbole and a Half)
Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout (short stories linked by a character who shows empathy and humanity in small, unusual ways)
I forgot Hyperbole And A Half existed! Only now it's a BOOK! nice!
There is also a second volume called Solutions and Other Problems (2020). Both are really good.