Takes My Breath Away

I just came across a saying that I swear I came up with, except that it was printed in a journal I had nothing to do with, which is pretty solid evidence against my former claim. So, my hands may be tied in the intellectual property category, but not tight enough that I can't quote it and then attempt to make it even more kick-ass than it already is.
Here it is:
"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." - Elisabeth K. Ross

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE DO NOT JUST HAPPEN.  (I think it's clear to us all that I'm not going to make it more kick-ass than it already is.)

Beautiful people do not just happen. I have no idea who this woman was, but I'm going to find out right now. Hang on as I consult the oracle (google).

Holy crap. Not that any of you would know this, but I am right now beginning my training in psychology and grief and she was a psychologist who specialized in death and dying. Holy crap. She wrote a book in 1969 where she discussed her theory of the "five stages of grief." My mentor's work is in grief; specifically in the five gates of grief, as he describes them. Holy crap. Holy crap. Holy crap.

I am speechless. I..............wow. I read dozens of quotes every day and many of them speak to me, but this one was different. You know when you read something that stops you in your tracks? It doesn't happen often, does it? Not for me, either. But this did. I even wrote it in permanent ink on my desk so I can read it every day (the only other quote I've written is, "God calls you to the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet" by Frederick Buechner). No offense to Fred, but Liz dominates in the desk-quote competition.

Beautiful people do not just happen. God I could type that 100 times in a row. The most beautiful people I have ever known in my 38 years are damaged, are broken, are scarred. They have been hurt and abused and betrayed. They have fought and raged and sobbed. They have fallen face-down in the dirt and cried until there were no more tears. But what differs between the beautiful ones and the victims is that they get back up. They refuse to cower. They refuse to give away their power, even in the face of abuse. They refuse to abandon their birthright to feel alive.  And in so doing, they lay claim to their own souls and grab hold of their lives. These are beautiful people. These are people who don't "just happen." And when they - we - come out on the other side, we embody empathy and compassion and kindness for even the most depraved of human beings. There is no choice in the matter for us because we've been there. Or almost there. Or could have been there. It's incredibly difficult to judge others when you are so acutely aware of your own vulnerability and frailty.

Perhaps to some this sounds like weakness, but to me it sounds like beauty.

Elizabeth K Ross is dead now, but what she said above, without even realizing it was worthy of quoting, is gospel. It really did take my breath away.

The fact that I'm pretty sure I also said it is besides the point.