draft 1.75. inspired by david whyte's Consolations
Solemness is a heaviness that holds. Emotions that are often seen as dark, or as problematic—worry, guilt, sadness, anger, pain—find a home in solemness.
The most important thing about solemness is that it respects. It understands that painful emotions do not exist without a purpose, but rather with one. It sees with the utmost clarity that each painful emotion has a beautiful, shining soul of its own that wants nothing but the best for you.
Perhaps counterintuitively, the trouble with solemness is often that it's too short-lived. As it swaddles dark emotion, you feel it, but too soon a bright smile and a good time makes you forget. Just like that, you have lost the messages that these emotions were so desperate for you to hear.
The next time you feel solemn, consider letting it last just a little bit longer than you would. Consider seeing the true love it has for the feelings it houses. And consider feeling that love yourself.