Ruby

Sometimes when I read the newspaper, or watch the news, I am taken aback by people's lives. The pain, the suffering, the demons. The crazy, the lonely, the hurt. Hurting others, hurting oneself, family, friends. Losing happiness, even when everything seems to be going right.

My heart hurts for the children of the world that are hurt by circumstances outside their control, that don't get to experience the beauty of the world - the simple things, the hugs, the smiles, the sweet words. My heart aches when those children grow up and find only hurt and never happiness.

The sadness in the world can be unbearable. How do overcome? How do you get out of a miserable place? How do you triumph when the world seems set against you?

Is it mental, is it within you to change the world? Is it in someone else's hands? I hope it's in each of hearts to change our lives, but also know sometimes the walls come tumbling down and there is nothing that can be done about it. What do you do then?

This post was inspired by Ruby by Cynthia Bond, an gripping novel about overcoming our past and embracing love in a racially charged rural 1950s Texas.  Join From Left to Write on May 8 we discuss Ruby. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.