Maintaining Joy Through Tragedy

Recent images from Iran resurfaced this ongoing question.

Dear Readers:

We live in a time where, suddenly, we are much more connected to the world. What had been distant atrocities heard about long after the fact (thus, easy to ignore) are now revealed almost as they occur.

Here are a few of the 100 to 150 victims of Sunday’s school bombing in Iran I referenced in a post yesterday:

Ideally, shining light on such carnage influences their infrequency rather than inspiring more in reaction. Most can acknowledge that in any modern armed conflict, civilians can be among the casualties. Armies don't meet on the battlefield anymore. So collateral damage occurs. A child dying doesn't necessarily make the responsible army unjustified in their battle.

But war also isn't a blanket excuse.

My question in yesterday's post was about coming to terms with being a dutiful taxpayer while knowing the money is being used for harm. Today, I'm just wondering how one maintains enjoyment in life in the face of such tragedy pictured here. Iran war aside, our suddenly much more connected world means there's no end to the tragic news from around the country and world.

I recently stopped to look at an old poem I've had on my refrigerator for years. Now I know why I've kept it all this time. The format is a little strange. The references don't all hit. But a couple of these lines sure do, speaking right to this issue of finding joy despite the horrors in the world, perhaps those even in your own life:

"If we deny our happiness, resist our satisfaction,
we lessen the importance of their deprivation.

"We must have
the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless
furnace of this world. To make injustice the only
measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.

"We must admit there will be music despite everything."

This poem is called "A Brief for the Defense" by Jack Gilbert.

RIP to all the innocent lives taken by this war and all the tragedies befalling these times.

have a meaningful week,

-Brandon