“I am slowly, painfully discovering that my refuge is not found in my mother, my grandmother, of even the birds of Bear River. My refuge exists in my capacity to love. If I can learn to love death then I can begin to find refuge in change.”
In this quote, Terry Tempest Williams emphasizes the idea that true refuge and peace cannot be found in external sources such as family or nature, but rather within oneself. She suggests that the key to finding solace lies in her capacity to love, specifically her ability to embrace difficulty and change. By learning to love and accept even the inevitability of death, Williams believes she can begin to empower herself to navigate the uncertainty of life. This quote speaks to the powerful transformative nature of love and acceptance in finding inner strength and resilience.
In this quote by Terry Tempest Williams, she reflects on the importance of love and acceptance in finding refuge amidst the inevitable changes of life. Williams suggests that true refuge lies not in external sources like family or nature, but within our own ability to love and embrace the inevitability of change. By learning to love even the concept of death, Williams believes that we can cultivate a sense of peace and resilience in the face of life's uncertainties. This sentiment holds modern relevance as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of the world today.
In the face of change and loss, how do you typically seek refuge? Have you ever found solace in loving something or someone that brings pain or discomfort? How does the idea of loving death as a means of finding refuge challenge or resonate with you? What shifts in mindset or perspective might be necessary in order to find refuge in change rather than resist it?
Terry Tempest Williams makes a profound statement about seeking refuge in love rather than external sources. According to her, true refuge lies in one's ability to love and embrace change, even in the face of death. This quote highlights the transformative power of love and the importance of accepting and adapting to the inevitable changes in life.
“My last refuge, my books: simple pleasures, like finding wild onions by the side of a road, or requited love.”
“I could not separate the Bird Refuge from my family. Devastation respects no boundaries. The landscape of my childhood and the landscape of my family, the two things I had always regarded as bedrock, were now subject to change. Quicksand.”
“And yet I am afraid, afraid of what my words will do to me, to my refuge, yet again.... If I could speak and yet say nothing, really nothing? Then I might escape being gnawed to death.”
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.”
“In relating the circumstances which have led to my confinement within this refuge for the demented, I am aware that my present position will create a natural doubt of the authenticity of my narrative.”