Feeling-Sorry-for-Yourself is a curious beast. In his more malign aspect and having swallowed down something nasty, he is Wallowing-in-Self-Pity, a terrible sight, altogether smidging and grimbly. But if you were to stumble across him on the forest floor in the course of your travels, you might be in for a treat, despite his unpleasant demeanor….
and smell.
For if he manages to cough up…
the thing..
…..that now so chokes and deadens…..
…if he can wretch, if he can allow the feeling of being a wretch, if he can be persuaded to nurse the honest feeling of being unloved, then he will turn into an entirely different creature before your very eyes…..
..so different, he will have to introduce himself all over again.
Compassion-for-Self.
Feeling into the world of being unloved is the beginning of love. So you musn’t drive Wallowing away, or beat him with sticks. Strangely, if you are lucky enough to come across him cowering in the bushes and bewailing loud enough for you to prepare yourself for the terrible sight…
be kind.
be excited…..
He is no Jabberwock to simply be slain.
Just prod him gently with your stick from a safe distance to let him know you are there and then find a comfy spot.
Take out your sandwiches and wait.
