Letters Home: Section 1, Letter dated August 5

August 5
Katrina,



This morning, I searched through the books in Father’s office and found a book about alchemy, the art of turning lesser metals into gold. Father used to say that it was physically impossible to turn something into gold, adding that he thought it was symbolic for the ability of the human condition to improve. I’ve begun to understand what he meant as I’ve aged.



It’s about self-discovery, a magic that can only come to be known when one stands in the darkness and opens the door to the light; being greeted by the true self; no longer thinking of one’s self as others see you or as one hopes to be seen but in truth. Be the reflection pleasant or not, true self-knowledge is the seed of inner peace.



But, we can’t be fooled into thinking that the reflection is who we have always been or will be in time to come. Self-knowledge is a never-ending process because to be human, to be alive, means to grow, learn, and change; life makes it impossible to remain the same forever. Tomorrow, a different reflection than today may exist because of the decisions we’ve made today and yesterday.



Of all the facets of self-knowledge, of shaking hands with the reflection within, self-respect may be the hardest lesson to master. To respect one’s self, one has to be willing to take care of one’s self emotionally, physically, and spiritually; to speak and act respectfully to the self as well as to others because the circle of life, the cycle of interdependence, applies to the human race as well. To respect the self, one must first learn who they are, be accepting of their self, and be willing to respect the dignity of the choices, the beliefs, and the thoughts of others because what we give to others we will receive in kind.



Discontent is birthed by Negativity, returning to its parent the harshness of their own reality like a demon rising again and again from the Well of Sorrow to torment the Devil. Hope is born from the womb of Faith and, in return, gives birth to Tomorrow and brings Love back home to live forever with Peace.



What do you think, Sister?



I’ve faced my own reflection in the past few years and was frightened by the truth, Katrina. But each day I try to learn and each day I try to improve. I believe what Father said was true about their being alchemy for the human condition. And, I try each day to remember to walk with Faith. But, for the cycle to work, others must allow one to change. True?



Love always,
Christina




This work is fictional. Any resemblance to actual situations or persons, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.