“Moments of beauty sustain us through hours of ugliness.” ― Brent Weeks, The Black Prism
The other night, I was talking with a friend about an author’s work. I like this author–he writes about humanity’s harshness and desire for power without constructing a plot line that buries the heart of his message under fluff and rhetorical faints. This type of fiction, this author’s work, is called Grim Dark fantasy, and it is not for the faint of heart. The first book I read from this author has one of my favorite quotes ever written: “We are the unpleasant things.” The quote comes from a man who is a professional torturer. Readers will find themselves drawn to his inner struggles, his choices, and the complexity of heart. I remember reading each scene and wondering why there couldn’t be more authors exploring characters like this. My friend shared with me that while the writing was strong, there seemed to be no light in the darkness of the world this author constructed, and I had to stop and think about that.
I want my writing, my stories, to be honest–which means there will be dark moments for my characters to navigate through. I want to read stories that drag my heart through the mud, leave me bruised, and on fire to right any wrongs done. But I want to know there is something within the story that illuminates my soul with a passion to keep moving forward. I want to be inspired to move, to share, and to grow. The small moments of beauty within a story can pull us through the abyss. This is also the case in life. Small moments, glimpses of joy unhindered, or a revelation can be our anchor in the maelstrom of life.
I know first hand how hard it is to see beauty while surrounded by darkness and pain. I know the power of words written and spoken. There are times the voices within snuff out any light daring to bloom in my soul. Other times, family or friends can say something that levels you and they don’t care or think they need to check themselves. But when they tell you that you did that to them and you don’t apologize, you are the one who can’t be moved to grow. The battle rages on all fronts.
Sometimes my heart and head shred my resolve when they can’t agree. I can’t read social media posts that call others, who don’t agree, names. Just today, I saw an actor withdraw from one media platform because people had called him horrible things. We live in a time when people call each other names, tell others to kill themselves, or threaten to take a life without consequence. The instantaneous ill-will makes me sick and breaks my heart. There is no filter because there is freedom behind a screen. There is a lack of space in which people can’t ask a question or share a concern without someone else attacking them. We have a President who rants on Twitter (he was doing this before he took the office yesterday–I could not call him president-elect anymore), calling people names, instead of reaching out and having a conversation with those who don’t agree with him.
I don’t have to agree with you, but I want to listen, to understand your perspective, to honor your fear, anxiety, and offer to stand beside you even when I don’t agree. Conversations need to be started. Presuppositions need to be challenged. Faith will be tested. We are not meant to walk a carefree life. We are not meant to ignore others. We are meant to love each other unconditionally. To share the love of Christ. To build each other up. To bring the marginalized, outcast, widowed, and poor into the house.
You may not be able to see any beauty at this moment. You may not want to see beauty right now. But, I promise it is there. Take a five minutes to step outside and let the world around you seep in. Let a smile from a stranger light your entire day. Let it be the anchor you hold onto with your life. There are so many things around us each and everyday that offer joy and beauty–we have to make the time and open our eyes to the wonders of this world.
If you want to read a story that offers you moments of beauty within the ugliness of human choices and actions, please start with The Black Prism by Brent Weeks. This is the first book of five in The Lightbringer Series. Seriously, this story will grab you and not let go. Weeks’s writing gets stronger each book.
Six Steps Since 
Again a well thought out article. I agree I think most readers like stories when they realistic. You can’t have the good without the bad. God has always given us hope, we just need the faith. I can’t wait until you find your “To Kill a Mockingbird”. That one story that starts the journey. Love you dadadad