No Feeling Is Final

Gratitude, Life, Peace 2 Minutes

I want to say the year was 2013 when my friend Pamela attended an Oprah-sponsored Life You Want Weekend in Miami. She texted me a selfie, and I texted her back, “Awesome! Take notes and forward!” I mean, seriously, who doesn’t want to live the life they want? 

She texted me back, “There were so many takeaways but what rings in my ears right now is something Rob Bell said, ‘The life you want starts with being grateful for the life you have.’” 

January 2021 was hard for me, a month of grieving, not exactly what I want to do with my life. I know I can’t rush the process, but I want to move forward. Since 2013 (I think), I’ve chosen gratitude as my path to the life I want. Don’t get me wrong. Acknowledging pain is important. Wasn’t it Rilke who said,

“Let everything happen to you
Beauty and terror
Just keep going
No feeling is final"   ?

It was Rilke. No feeling is final. Thank goodness. I’m thankful, too, for my little collection of words and insights and people, all of the ones helping me through. I’m especially thankful for my people. So many of you have lifted me up with your words this past month (and even before now) as I struggled against lowest lows. If that was you, leaving kindness in your wake, thank you from the depths of my heart. If you are reading now, I appreciate you for being here. I tend to feel everything deeply—beauty and terror—compassion, prayers, and gratitude.

And do you know what I love? How this WordPress blog tracks the distance of my words and the location of readers. I’m humbled, so humbled, by the readers who visited in January alone, readers in 47 countries—the U.S., India, Canada, The U.K., Germany, Spain, France, the U.A.E., China, South Africa, Australia, Romania, Ireland, Italy, Hong Kong SAR China, Egypt, Pakistan, Netherlands, Indonesia, Austria, Japan, Finland, New Zealand, Portugal, Jamaica, Philippines, Singapore, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Kenya, Thailand, Greece, Venezuela, Brazil, Bhutan, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Congo-Kinshasa, Zambia, Chile, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Israel, and Mongolia.

I am grateful for you.

Photo by Marcus Wu00f6ckel on Pexels.com

It’s funny how a simple thanks doesn’t seem good enough.

Published by Crystal Byers

When I was young, my dad would always say, "Crystal, you can choose your attitude." One day I chose to believe him.

Published

73 thoughts on “No Feeling Is Final”

  5. Sorry to hear of your difficult time this month, I do pray things improve for you next month. Keep moving forward and continue being thankful, grateful even when it’s hard. I hope you have a wonderful weekend Crystal!😀😺🌞

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  7. I think it is important to acknowledge when we’re sad or upset. Otherwise we experience cognitive dissonance. I also believe being thankful is a step forward from sadness to joy. And just to complicate my comment, I ALSO think it’s okay to be sad in a particular part of one’s life and happy in another part.

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  8. I agree with Priscilla about honoring your feelings. I’m both sorry for your challenges, and glad to hear you’re honoring your feelings, while aware of their changing nature. Like you, I’ve found great comfort and gratitude from our wonderful WP blogging community. Hugs and blessings to you Crystal.

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  9. I’ve found that gratitude opens my eyes to the goodness/blessings/miracles that each day brings. Grieving takes time…lots of time. Just keep moving forward, no matter the slow pace and shaky steps. As Rilke says, “No feeling is final.” Unless we make it so. A big hug ❤

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  13. Crystal, you are such an inspiration to so many, you spread hope, and joy to those who read your words! I for one thank you for your generosity and kindness! Congratulations on all the places your words have landed! We’re lucky to have you! All my best, C

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  14. I continue to be inspired by your strength & grace in the face of adversity. I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record with that sentiment, but it’s true. As a sensitive person I think I probably require that kind of positive influence or I could go to the dark side quickly. So thanks again for sharing your thoughts and words.

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    1. Either way, I like Rilke. It reminds me of another one from The Count of Monte Cristo: “There is neither happiness nor unhappiness in this world; there is only the comparison of one state with another. Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss.”

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  21. Thank you dear Crystal for being what you are❤
    As we read in the Qur’an that with every hardship comes ease…
    Indeed! You are moving towards the better time that will embrace you with lots of love and blessings.
    Stay strong and keep smiling 🤗💖🤗

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    1. With every hardship comes ease. That is beautiful, and it reminds me of words I heard from my pastor’s mouth—our struggles strengthen us. And so each day becomes easier, and each day I become stronger—moving toward better times, more love, and blessings. Thank you, dear Saba. ❤️

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  23. Thank you for sharing!!.. “No matter the pain or suffering, it is always better if it’s a burden shared by two, instead of a weight carried by one alone”… (Larry “Dutch” Woller)… 🙂

    Until we meet again…
    May the dreams you hold dearest
    Be those which come true
    May the kindness you spread
    Keep returning to you
    (Irish Saying)

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  24. My goodness, Crystal, I love your list of countries – though it doesn’t surprise me, really. Your pictures and prose delight and scintillate. Why wouldn’t that have a broad appeal?

    My own “collection,” though it’s not quite as vast as is yours, cheers me when the overall numbers aren’t, maybe, where I’d like them to be.

    Most impressive someone in Bhutan reads you. Just as long as it’s not Yeti, right?

    As for the real point, nothing being final, thank God. After all, constant change keeps things fresh and interesting, and ensures we keep striving to make the next twist a change for the better. After all, think of all the news you’ll have for your Mom and Rain when you see them next.

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    1. I didn’t know if anyone else would care about my list of countries with readers, but it turns out someone does. 🤗 And it was fun for me to type the list and to think about anyone (including you) in any of those places knowing I appreciated them. As for Bhutan, I needed to find it on the map, and I’m happy to know now. And as for Yeti, well, Keith, you are always teaching me. Thank you.

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